CCOT Essay Change-over-Time Writing

What is the purpose?  Change over time is a major theme of historical study  This essay measure your ability to discuss continuities that accompany the changes over time  It is a measure of your ability to recognize the changes and understand what caused them

What is expected of you  Write a thesis that points out the change over time  Answer all parts of the question  Show the change over time using relevant history  Analyze the process of change and/or continuity over time

What does that mean?  You are going to write an essay with a thesis that identifies change over time for each country or period required, support that thesis by referencing relevant history, and contrast that change against either a starting point or something that did not change  Still confused? Let’s break it down a step at a time

First – what it is and what it is not  It is not enough to simply talk about how it was and then talk about how it is  A successful CCOT essay talks about how things were prior to change, and then makes it clear WHY things changed.  You MUST cover the historical development

How is the CCOT scored?  Look at your handout  Basic Core 0-7 points You MUST earn all 7 points in order to earn expanded points Note that you can receive PARTIAL credit (1 pt instead of 2 pts) for some of the items  Expanded Core Note that several items in the expanded core are simply more detailed versions of the basic core TO get an 8 or 9, focus on doing a great job on the elements that are in both the basic and expanded core

What do the directions mean?  Step 1 – Process the question You need to know exactly what you are being asked to do The basic core places a heavy emphasis on answering ALL parts of the question. Circle each key phrase as you process the question

What do the directions mean? Step 1 continued  Let’s look at an example: Choose ONE of the following political units (countries, empires, etc) and discuss how technological developments from 1450 to 1750 changed its global influence. Be sure to describe its position of power and influence in the beginning of the period as your starting point  England  Portugal  Spain  Germany  Russia  Ottoman Empire  China  France

What do the directions mean? Step 1 continued  What key phrases did you circle?  Your list should include One of the countries Technological developments from 1450 – 1750 Global influence Position of power and influence in the beginning of the period as your starting point

What do the directions mean? Step 1 continued  So what is it asking you to do? Choose one of the countries or empires listed Discuss its role as a global player in the early 1400’s or so (BEFORE some technological impact) Walk through the technologies that had an impact on the country Describe the impact – what changes occurred as a result

What do the directions mean?  Step 2 – Build a Framework The purpose of this is to both provide you with an outline for an essay and to ensure that you don’t miss any part of the question Using the example from Step 1, begin by choosing the number of countries as instructed – one – then create a chart (see next slide)

What do the directions mean? Step 2 continued  Your chart should include:  A baseline – what was its role in the world in 1400’s/pretechnology  Impact – what technologies had an impact on it? Why and in what way?  Change – what changes occurred to its role in the world as a result of the technology?  Continuity – what remained the same despite technological innovations?  If you had been asked to select two countries, you would create a chart that had a column for each country

What do the directions mean?  Step 3 – Build your essay Fill-in the framework/the chart Fill-in the information about each segment but also the bits of evidence to support each answer Completing your chart with both what changed AND supporting evidence will help you create most of your essay

What do the directions mean?  Step 4 – Write your essay Once you’ve completed your chart, its time to start writing Planning is CRITICAL – the more you plan, the less time it will actually take you to write You have approx. 40 min for this essay, if you spend 20 min planning, you should easily be able to write the essay in the remaining 20 minutes

What do the directions mean? Step 4 continued  Your thesis is critical and MUST be supported by facts Answer the prompt (AP) Include place and time Support each of your assertions with some introductory evidence (save the details for your body paragraphs) 3 categories 1:2 ratio (1 similarity to 2 differences or 1 difference to 2 similarities)

The essay  Make sure you address each portion of the question  Support your claims with evidence  After your introductory sentence, each body paragraph should address one change or one continuity with specific evidence

Ways to structure your essay- body paragraphs  Point by Point Section 1: item 1 how it changed/continued from beginning to end Section 2: item 2 how it changed/continued from beginning to end Section 3: item 3 how it changed/continued from beginning to end  Time: beginning, middle, end Section 1: beginning of time period Section 2: middle events Section 3: end of time period