Aim: How do we write an essay comparing Mesopotamia to Egypt?

Essay Question Analyze similarities and differences in how the environment impacted the development of Mesopotamia and Egypt.

Rubric – 6 Points Possible Requirement Points 1. Thesis 1 2. Contextualization -Describes a broader historical context relevant to the prompt. 3. Evidence and Support for Argument: -Provides specific examples of evidence relevant to the prompt (identifies 2 or more) -Supports argument using specific historical evidence 2 4. Analysis and Reasoning: -Uses historical reason (comparison, causation, CCOT) to frame argument -Demonstrates a complex understanding of historical development

Essay Points Numeric Grade 6 100 5.5 95 5 90 4.5 87 4 85 3.5 80 3 75 2.5 70 2 65 1.5 55 1 50

Direct Comparisons Compare directly by doing the following: For similarities: similarly, likewise, both For differences: as opposed to, unlike, in contrast to, contrary to, on the other hand, meanwhile Analyze the similarity or difference (explain how or why they are similar or different) Because, due to the fact, the reason, as a result

Similarities in Environments Both developed in river valleys (food and water source) – helped in survival and led to success Rivers gave life to civilization

Supporting Evidence Once you have established what the comparison for the paragraph will be you have to give specific evidence for each region supporting your topic sentence

How did this impact them in a similar way? Both depended on their rivers to sustain a productive agriculture in arid lands Had growing populations and demand for resources Floods influenced religious beliefs Trade / Transportation led to thriving economies Carried on extensive long-distance trade - Mesopotamia Indus Valley - Egypt Nubia & Ethiopia

How did this impact them in a similar way? Had interaction with each other and both near and distant neighbors - it’s possible that Egypt’s step pyramids and its system of writing were stimulated by Mesopotamian models Both spread cultural influence - Mesopotamia Hebrews - legal system (“eye for an eye”) and stories of a Great Flood - Egypt Nubians – copied Egyptian styles – burial, pyramids, gods, hieroglyphics

How did this impact them in a similar way? Felt impact of neighboring people Hittites overthrew Babylonian Empire (Mesopotamia) Hyksos invaded and ruled Egypt Both incorporated chariot technology into their military

Differences in Environments Mesopotamia Unpredictable, violent floods of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Led to negative view of gods / afterlife gods were quarreling / angry, bleak afterlife Ecological Deterioration – deforestation, soil erosion, increased salinization of soil due to complex irrigation systems

Differences in Environments Egypt Predictable, stable floods of the Nile Led to positive view of gods/afterlife Gods were kind / welcoming, afterlife was pleasant Sustainable Agricultural System Stable Less intrusive, natural irrigation

Differences in Environments Mesopotamia Open Plains Led to many invasions Initially walled city-states Later unified into empires but each was short-lived and unstable Diversity – hard to unify

Differences in Environments Egypt Sahara Desert, mountains, seas, cataracts Provided natural protection Led to stable and longer lasting empire Not as diverse so easier to unify

Thesis (Intro) Paragraph Need to address both environmental similarities and differences. Can express this in more than one sentence. This is the bulk of your introduction.

Thesis Pointers Great starting/transition words - “While”/ “Despite”/ “Although”/ “However” Thesis must incorporate all parts of the prompt question and a time period (if given) A good thesis “lights the way” and provides a travel direction for the rest of the essay

Thesis No No’s YOU CAN NEVER SAY… “THERE WERE MANY SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THESE TWO CIVILIZATIONS” Thesis must be more specific in stating how they were similar and different

Sample Thesis Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations had many similarities and differences. NOT ACCEPTED!!!!

Sample Thesis Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations had many similarities and differences in their environment NOT ACCEPTED!!!!

Sample Thesis Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations were similar in that they depended on river valleys for their survival and success. However, Egypt’s geography enabled great cultural and political unification while Mesopotamia’s geography made it difficult to unify.

Sample Thesis Mesopotamia and Egypt’s environments both consisted of river valleys that provided them with necessary resources for their success and survival. However, Mesopotamia's open plains and violent floods had a negative impact on their religion and made it harder to unite. On the other hand, Egypt’s deserts and stable floods had a more positive impact on their religion and enabled a long lasting empire.

Topic Sentence Provides an overview of what will be discussed in the paragraph Explains to the reader what similarity or difference will be discussed

Sample Topic Sentence for Environmental Similarities Egypt and Mesopotamia both arose in river valley environments that enabled their survival and success.

Sample Topic Sentence for Environmental Differences Even though both environments influenced religion, the geography of Mesopotamia had a negative impact on religion while the geography of Egypt had a positive impact.

Sample Thesis Mesopotamia and Egypt’s governments were similar in that they both had absolute rulers who used religion to justify their power. However they were different as Mesopotamia was a series of city states, while Egypt was a united empire. Mesopotamia's environment had a negative impact, making them vulnerable to constant invasions and creating a negative view on religion. On the other hand, Egypt’s environment had a more positive impact, giving them a positive view of their gods and the afterlife.

Contextualization Connect the question to broader historical events, developments, or processes that occur BEFORE, DURING, or CONTINUE AFTER the time frame in question Example Why/How did the Neolithic Revolution lead to early civilizations?

Contextualization Advanced civilizations such as Mesopotamia and Egypt were a direct result of the Neolithic Revolution. Compared with hunter-gatherers, farming societies produced a food surplus which led to specialized jobs other than farming. Having productive agriculture near rivers also led to extensive trade. Writing formed to keep track of business transactions. Governments and states formed to organize public works and to keep control over bigger, settled populations. Over time, advanced architecture such as pyramids were built to support more organized religions.

Conclusion Restate your thesis DO NOT add any additional information

Essay Format Thesis Paragraph Contextualization Paragraph Comparative Paragraph(s) – discuss in detail at least 2 comparisons (1 major similarity and 1 major difference) with supporting evidence – Hint: Look at the suggestions with the arrows that show evidence Conclusion