Comparative Essay

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Comparative Essay

• Comparative Writing

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What is the purpose?

• Making comparisons is a huge part of
  understanding world history
• This essay typically involves how two societies
  responded to a major theme or event
• Comparing means finding both similarities AND
  dissimilarities

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Major Themes tested on the comparative essay
include

• How different societies responded to events, to
  each other and to other societies
• How different societies changed or didnt in
  response to an event
• How different societies developed
• How different societies responded to new
  technologies or new ideas

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What is expected of you

• Write a thesis that makes your major points of
  comparison
• Answer all parts of the question
• Make at least two, direct, relevant comparisons
  of the given societies
• Analyze relevant reasons for similarities and/or
  differences

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What does that mean?

• You are going to write an essay with a thesis,
  support that thesis by referencing relevant
  history, and compare and contrast as the question
  indicates, making sure you include not only
  similarities but also differences
• Are you still unsure of what to do lets break
  it down step-by-step

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How is the Comparative Essay scored?

• Look at your handout
• Basic Core
• 0 7 points
• You must earn ALL 7 basic core points in order to
  earn expanded core points
• In 2 areas of the basic core it is possible to
  earn only PARTIAL credit (1 point instead of 2
  points)
• Expanded Core
• Note that several items in the expanded core are
  simply more detailed versions of the basic core
• TO get an 8 or 9, focus on doing a great job on
  the elements that are in both the basic and
  expanded core

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So what first?

• Use the same steps to plan the comparative essay
  that you used to plan the change-over-time essay
• Take about 5-10 minutes to plan your essay before
  you actually begin writing
• Remember, the more time you spend planning, the
  less time you will spend writing and the better
  organized your writing will be!!

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What do the directions mean?

• Step 1 Process the question
• You need to know EXACTLY what you are being asked
  to do
• Circle the key phrases as you process the
  question
• You must address all parts of the question

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What do the directions mean?Step 1 continued

• Lets look at an example
• Western incursion was a common theme in the years
  from 1750-1914. Different societies responded to
  the outside forces in a variety of ways. Compare
  and contrast the responses between TWO of the
  following societies. Be sure to address the
  reaction of the native populations

• China
• India
• Latin America
• Africa

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What do the directions mean?Step 1 continued

• What key phrases did you circle?
• Your list should include
• Western incursion
• From 1750 1914
• Compare and contrast the responses
• Reaction of the native population
• The two societies you want to focus on

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What do the directions mean?Step 1 continued

• What are you being asked to do?
• Compare and contrast the reactions of two
  societies to the invasion of Western culture and
  ideology
• To do so, you must note what each society was
  like BEFORE Western influences were felt and how
  each reacted to the imposed changes

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What do the directions mean?

• Step 2 Build a framework
• Build a framework similar to the one you used for
  the change-over-time essay
• The purpose of this is to both provide you with
  an outline for an essay and to ensure that you
  dont miss any part of the question
• Using the example from Step 1, begin by choosing
  two societies as instructed then create a chart
  (see next slide)

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What do the directions mean?Step 2 continued

• Your chart should include
• A column for each of the 2 societies
• Element of Western incursion and each societys
  response
• Similarities
• differences

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What do the directions mean?

• Step 3 Build Your Essay
• Fill in the chart
• Be sure to enter both the information about each
  segment AND the evidence to support each answer
• Doing so will help you write your essay the
  better you plan here, the easier the writing will
  be

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What do the directions mean?

• Step 4 Write your essay
• Once youve completed your chart, its time to
  start writing
• Planning is CRITICAL the more you plan, the
  less time it will actually take you to write
• You have approx. 40 min for this essay, if you
  spend 20 min planning, you should easily be able
  to write the essay in the remaining 20 minutes

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What do the directions mean?Step 4 continued

• Your thesis is critical and must be supported by
  facts
• Make sure you have an analytical thesis that
  includes both the focus of your essay and WHY you
  believe your claim to be true
• Answer the question by including key phrases from
  the question
• Support each of your assertions with some
  introductory evidence (save the details for your
  body paragraphs)
• Transition from the thesis to the body of the
  essay

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The essay

• Make sure you address each portion of the
  question
• Support your claims with evidence