Transcript Compare and Contrast Essay

Compare and Contrast
Essay
AP World History
Topic Sentences (What to do)
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Intoduce each paragraph. (does your first
sentence and last sentence in each paragraph
match up?)
Brevity: Long, rambling sentences can be
confusing.
Clarity: Likewise, don’t beat around the bush.
Say exactly what you want to say. Try not to
engage in wordplay and don’t speak in vague
terms.
Precision: Don’t be too broad when introducing
the topic that you’re going to discuss.
What not to do (Topic
Sentences)
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Don’t use facts as topic sentences. Remember,
you are using the topic sentence to introduce a
point you are trying to make, or your opinion.
Don’t just talk about the “what” – talk about the
“why” as well. That is, don’t just think about the
effect, but it’s cause.
Compare and Contrast
Rubric
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Comparison means to
say what is the same and
what is different.
This says at LEAST one,
you need THREE.
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Rule of 3!
Analyze means to say
why.
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Why is there a difference
or similarity?
The Question
Formatting the Essay
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You only get points for pointing out the
similarities and differences.
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Organization is very important!
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Consider the following examples……
Example #1
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This is not a good idea.
What is bad about this
example?
ANSWER:
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Where are you going to
compare and contrast?
Example #2
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This can work, but
not always.
Why would this
not always work?
Example #3
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This requires a lot of
prewriting.
If you have time, do
this, but do not use the
broad social, economic
or political categories.
Narrow the categories
to themes and
concepts.
Why would you want to
narrow them?
Organize Your Essay Before Writing
example
Thesis
Address question, use groups, include time period if noted and give defining categories.
Political (in a
more defining
category)
Comparing and
Contrasting
Evidence
Political (in a
more defining
category)
Comparing and
Contrasting
Political (in a
more defining
category)
Comparing and
contrasting
Evidence
Evidence
Conclusion with some historical context
Common Problems
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Describing the two things or events
separately (with a lot of evidence) but
never comparing and/or contrasting.
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You will not earn any points for
describing.
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Confusing dates, people, and places
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Running out of time and not finishing
General Problems
for all essays
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Not addressing the prompt.
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Similar but not different.
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Losing focus.
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Giving up.
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Never, never, never give up!
Comparative Statements
AP World History
How are Comparative Statements written?
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Example A:
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Example B:
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“The British ruled their empire through local
intermediaries. France created a bureaucracy
staffed by French soldiers and civilian
servants.”
“The British ruled their empire through local
intermediaries. Where as France created a
bureaucracy staffed by French soldiers and
civilian servants.”
Do you notice the difference?