CCoT The continuity and change-over-time (CCOT) essay How to write a CCoT essay

CCOT The continuity and change-over-time (CCOT) questions asks what has changed and what has not. These include a definite time span for analysis. Fortunately, most questions will give you some amount of choice. Although you cannot choose the topic or time period, you will probably be asked to choose from multiple countries, religions, or cultures, from a set that is provided to you.

Your Prompt Describe and analyze the cultural, economic, political and religious (choose three) impact on ONE of the following regions between 800 C.E. and 1400 C.E. Be sure to discuss continuities as well as change. West Africa South Asia Europe

The basic template Between __(beginning date)____ and __(ending date)______, ___(area you chose to write about___) changed in the area of ____(category(ies) from the prompt)___ but stayed the same in the area of __(the other category(ies) from the prompt)__.

When you write a CCOT essay make sure you complete the following tasks: Include the dates or time period Include the region Tell what changed and what stayed the same The rest of the Thesis Paragraph (“Road Map”) Example; Between 800 and 1400 C.E. Europe increased its trade and centralized its politics but many aspects of religion and gender roles remained unchanged CAUTION: The categories you put in your thesis must be the ones given by the prompt! If the prompt asks you to address changes in labor systems, don’t write about political change! If it asks for demographic changes, don’t write about changes in patterns of trade!

Brain Storm Baseline: What was REPS role in Europe between 800 - 1400s? Change: What changes occurred? Continuity: What remained the same? Impact: What was the impact on it? Why and in what way?

Write it! Now that you're done with the planning, it's time to begin the actual essay. Ensure that you address each portion of the question and support your claims with evidence. Here are some major things to include in your essay: Use relevant world historical framework to explain change over time and continuity. Describe how events in one place relate to the big picture. Show comparison to other regions, connections to global processes, and interactions among regions. Think BIG! Discuss how things were prior to the change, and then clarify why things changed. You MUST cover the historical development! Contrast with the starting point and what remained the same

Tips Make notes, jot ideas, create an outline and framework. This is necessary in order to write a good essay. Keep an eye on your time. You do not want to spend too much time on one point. Write neatly. An essay that cannot be read will not receive a good score. Choose another word if you can't spell it. Create a timeline of events to sort out your historical information in order. Evaluate your information for the essay.