Keys to the Continuity/Change Over Time Essay

Changes & Continuities in Life Analyze the Changes and Continuities in American Life from 1991-2010. What has changed? What has continued? What events triggered the changes? What important events have occurred? Did they impact the changes/continuities?

What is the CCOT essay? THE BASICS An essay discussing characteristics that changed and stayed the same in a given region between two time periods. (Comparison essay, but across time rather than region) Know the required tasks & how they’re scored the rubric

Changes & Continuities in Life Ideas to help you Write: Look for the Theme (labor, rights, economic growth, military expansion, societal roles) Identify the region! Look for any significance at the given dates Don’t just describe a thing; must be compared with the past (change/continuity) Consider processes that helped/impacted change Did you answer Why/How change occurred? Did you mention a beginning/middle/end within the time period?

Fundamentals of CCOT Answering the question: Thesis Remember continuities, not just changes Establish a baseline before describing the changes that occur Thesis Establish time period boundaries & address entire period Substantiating Thesis: Give specific examples to support thesis claims (requires that you know history)

Complexities of CCOT Analyzing process of change: What are some common triggers for change: Consider that change happens unevenly in places and overtime…often speeding up & slowing down Are there steps to the change? Intermediate points between the beginning & end of period are important

Complexities of CCOT Historical context Remember that changes & continuities in a particular region do not happen in a vacuum Use varying scope – global trends v. regional v. local Don’t be afraid to note exceptions to a trend

Ways to Structure CCOT - #1 1. Beginning Situation (start date) 2. Cause of Change A. There might be a specific date of the cause, or “turning point,” B. a specific date when the change is observable, or “tipping point,” but the cause of the change was gradual with no specific date of onset, or C. a series of factors leading to change, each with different onset dates or no clear onset date of all, which caused gradual change in an un-dramatic fashion. 3. Date by which Change is Observable (end date) A. What were the changes in contrast with the Beginning Situation B. What were the continuities from the Beginning Situation