AP WORLD: WRITING TIPS

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AP WORLD WRITING TIPS

• The Comparative Essay

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The Comparative Essay usually asks you to analyze
broad historical issues for two areas of the
world.

• Pick the areas you know the most about!
• Sample Question Compare the dynamics of trade of
  trade in TWO of the following regions for the
  periods mentioned
• China during the Qin and Han dynasties
• The Mediterranean during the Roman Empire
• Mesoamerica during the Maya Empires.
• South America during the Inca Empire

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The Thesis

• Make sure you address the QUESTION!
• Thesis must compare similarities and differences!

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Is it thesis or not? Why or why not?

• In Maya culture the elites used a form of
  hieroglyphic writing to keep records while elites
  in the Inca society used a complex method of knot
  tying called quipu to keep records.
• NO Good facts, but it addresses technology not
  trade. Doesnt address similarities!

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Is it thesis or not? Why or why not?

• Trade dynamics in the Roman Empire centered
  around the Mediterranean Sea. In China, however
  they used rivers for trade. Both societies used
  water routes to transport goods.
• YES Not sophisticated, but addresses
  similarities and differences.

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Is it thesis or not? Why or why not?

• The greatest similarity between the Han and the
  Roman Empires involved trade since both were
  linked by the Silk Road and both used the
  structures of empire to support transportation
  projects. The greatest difference was in the
  types of items traded by each civilization.
• YES Much more sophisticated thesis.

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Did You Address All Parts of the Question?

• Did you address
• - the dynamics of trade
• - Similarities?
• - Differences?
• Similarities can be the tough part when
  comparing 2 different regions.

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Categorical Split Form

• Thesis that has an argument and sets out topics
• Body Paragraph 1 Topic 1 - Sims and Diffs,
  Evidence for both, Reasons for sim or diff
• Body Paragraph 2 Topic 2 - Sims and Diffs,
  Evidence for both, Reasons for sim or diff
• Body Paragraph 3 Topic 3 - Sims and Diffs,
  Evidence for both, Reasons for sim or diff
• Conclusion

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Did You Provide Enough Historical Evidence
(Facts)?

• Need to know facts about the topic to get the
  points on this essay.
• Incorrect facts do NOT take points away.
• Essays should have at least one piece of evidence
  for each region.
• Examples
• - The Inca road system facilitated trade from
  one region of the empire to another.
• - Roman ships carried wheat, wine, and olive
  oil throughout the Mediterranean Sea.
• - Chinese trade expanded dramatically through
  the Silk Roads during the Han dynasty.

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Did you make a direct comparison between the
societies?

• Cannot be found in the thesis.
• Using the categorical split essay form makes
  this easier.
• Use comparative words to link the 2 regions.
• Examples also, as well as, furthermore, on the
  other hand, however, etc

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Did you analyze the reasons for the similarities
and differences?

• Do this by answering the questionWhy?
• Why did these similarities and/or differences
  exist?
• Examples
• - The Romans and Incans had elaborate road
  systems because both had empires that stretched
  across vast territories.
• - Rome was located on the Mediterranean Sea,
  consequently its trade was water-based to a great
  extent. The Aztec Empire differed since its
  location within Mesoamerica meant that its trade
  was not as focused on water travel.

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Go for the expanded core points.

• Must receive all of the 7 core points first of
  all. Below are some possible areas that readers
  are looking for while scoring essays.
• Clear and analytical thesis
• Abundance of evidence
• Frequent and consistent direct comparisons
  between areas
• Comparisons related to larger global processes.

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DOS and DontS
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Do

• Select regions for which you have the most
  information.
• Make sure your thesis addresses all parts of the
  question.
• Include similarities and differences between the
  two areas.
• Use your comparative words and phrases.
• Mention plenty of facts (evidence).
• Offer analysis!

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Dont

• Favor one area and exclude the other.
• Use facts that are off topic. You wont have
  points deducted, but it will make your essay more
  difficult to read.
• Discuss each area in isolation. Remember the
  categorical split essay form!