Transcript Slide 1

ESSAY #1: THE COMPARATIVE
ESSAY
 Comparison means to
say what is the same
and what is different.
 This says at LEAST one
– you need THREE –
Rule of 3!!!
 Analyze means to say
why – why is there a
difference or similarity
Analyze similarities and differences in methods of political
control in TWO of the following empires from the Classical
Era: Han China, Mauryan/Gupta India, Imperial Rome
S (Situate)- When and Where
U (Unpack)- What is the question looking for?
V (Verb)- What do I need to do here?
Brainstorm Quickly
 What do you know about the Roman Empire?
 What do you know about the Han Empire?
 Why is this time period specified?
 Similarities?
 Differences?
 WHY???? Why are they similar or different?
SIMILAR
ROMAN EMPIRE
Emperor was
considered a god
Persecution of
Christians but
tolerance of older
faiths within Empire
(Judaism,
Zoroastrianism)
HAN EMPIRE
High taxes
Mandate of Heaven
Bureaucracy
Strict Bureaucracy–
structure based on
Confucian emphasis
on educated officials
– social mobility
through education
Built roads,
conquered
outlying
regions
Vast military
Government
Bureaucracy allowed
for talented or
wealthy “outsiders”
to enter – social
mobility through
wealth
Emphasized
family
unit/parent’s
authority
Little tolerance of
other faiths;
Buddhists
persecuted
Format of Essay
Remember: you only get
points for pointing out the
similarities and differences.
Consider the following…
Don’t do This
I. THESIS
II. BODY PARAGRAPH 1
(Rome)
III. BODY PARAGRAPH 2
(Han)
Where are you
going to
compare and
contrast???
I. THESIS
II. SIMILARITIES
Roman Empire
Han Empire
III. DIFFERENCES
Roman Empire
Han Empire
Can work, but not
always
CATEGORY SPLIT FORMAT
I. Thesis
II. Methods of Political Control
through religion/culture
III. Methods of Political Control
through military/politics
IV. ANALYSIS
V. Conclusion (if time allows)
This requires a lot of
prewriting – if you
have time, do this!!!
Thesis –– answer question, use groups, “road
map” for essay
Religion/
Culture
Evidence
Military/
Politics
Evidence
Conclusion
Why?
Analysis
Describing the two things/events
separately (with great evidence) but
never comparing and/or
contrasting – YOU GET NO POINTS
FOR JUST DESCRIBING
Confusing dates, people, and places
Running out of time and not
finishing