Change & Continuity Over Time (CCoT) Essay AP World History

What’s the goal of this essay? It deals specifically with analysis of continuities and changes over time. Change: You have to recognize major changes in history, and identify and understand what causes those changes. Continuity: You have to recognize factors which remain the same throughout history, and identify and understand factors that allow this. It addresses a particular theme. Technology, trade, culture, migrations, the environment, politics… It also addresses a particular region (but usually, you get to pick) You have to analyze what changes and what stays the same for an aspect of history, explain why those changes and continuities occur, and give specific examples.

CCoT prompts look like this:

What the Directions Mean Write a thesis that points out changes & continuities over time. Support it with evidence. Answer all parts of the question. Show the change over time, using relevant history. Contrast how things turned out with how things were originally, and weigh what changed vs. what stayed the same. Analyze the process of continuity and change. Explain why it happens.

The rubric: Basic Core: Competence Expanded Core: Excellence Has acceptable thesis. (Addresses global issues, correct time period. Must include change and continuity.) - 1 point Addresses all parts of the question, though not necessarily evenly or thoroughly. - 2 points Substantiates thesis with appropriate historical evidence. - 2 points Uses relevant historical context effectively to explain change over time and continuity. (How are changes and continuities in this specific topic influenced by global historical movements or processes?) - 1 point Analyzes the process of change over time and continuity. (Why do things change or stay the same?) - 1 point Expands beyond the basic core of 1-7 points. A student must earn 7 points in the basic core before earning points in the expanded core area. Has a clear, analytical, and comprehensive thesis Addresses all parts of the question comprehensively Provides even and ample evidence of change and continuity Analyzes both change and continuity throughout the essay Provides ample world historical context Provides extended analysis of change or continuity (extra reasons why things change or stay the same)

Writing the CCoT

Step 1: Process the Prompt Read the question and figure out what you’re expected to do. Circle the key phrases: What (topics) Who (societies or regions) When (dates) What: Changes & continuities in Participation in interregional trade (trade with other regions) Who: One of the three choices (Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia) When: 1500 to 1750

Step 2: Brainstorm your Info The topics you discuss (what changes & stays the same) will be based on the prompt. Sometimes they’ll give you categories, other times you can create your own. SCRIPTED: Social, Cultural, Religion, Interactions with Others, Politics, Technology, Economics, Demography (Population) Try to get 3 topics. → 3-sentence thesis

Step 2: Brainstorm Your Info Beginning: (The “baseline”) What is the topic like in this region at the beginning of this time period? Set it up so you can explain the changes Middle: What has changed about this topic? What has stayed the same? Why? End: What has changed about this topic? What has stayed the same? Why? 1500 1750

Step 2: Brainstorm Your Info Beginning: (The “baseline”) What is the topic like in this region at the beginning of this time period? Set it up so you can explain the changes Ex. In SE Asia, part of Indian Ocean trade network -- peaceful trade between India, China, Arabs Middle: What has changed about this topic? What has stayed the same? Why? Ex. Changes - European nations (Spain, Portugal) get into trade More military use in SE Asia (Portugal) Continuities - Trade between India, China, Arabs for luxury goods End: What has changed about this topic? What has stayed the same? Why? Ex. Changes - Dutch dominate spice trade, English begin to control India Europeans control major trading ports & demand tribute from locals Continuities - etc. 1500 1750

Step 3: Write a Thesis/Intro 1 sentence -- set up the time period/historical background (using the prompt) 3 sentences - 1 for each of your 3 main arguments Make sure to address continuity and change See the whiteboard for examples

Step 4: Write the Essay Each body paragraph is a snapshot of time. What’s going on with your topic in this area during this part of history? (You can think of it like the “beginning” paragraph, the “middle” paragraph, and the “ending” paragraph.) In each body paragraph, talk about each of your three themes/topics: Topic Sentence Theme 1 - what changed or stayed the same? Why (analyze)? Theme 2 - what changed or stayed the same? Why (analyze)? Theme 3 - what changed or stayed the same? Why (analyze)? For each theme, prove it -- give historical evidence (facts) Global context What’s going on in the rest of the world? How does this topic relate?

Change & Continuity Words Now Gradually Later Eventually Immediately Until that time Up to that time Formerly As things evolved Over Time At this point Afterword Next Persistent Sustained Enduring Ongoing Constant Maintained Uphold/upheld Preserve Retain Remain Stay Carry on

Keep this in mind while you write: You have to use concrete details and analyze based on the prompt. You can’t just say “Prior to 1948, the Jewish people had no homeland. In 1948, Israel was established.” Use facts to show the historical development of the change: “In the early twentieth century, few people saw the need for the establishment of an independent Jewish state. However, as a result of the genocide of Jewish people during World War 2, support for the the establishment of such a state began to grow, leading to the creation of Israel in 1948.”

You got this!