CCOT PREPARATION

INTRODUCTION Use the words of the question to help create an introduction – make sure you have time and place! General information about your topic Last sentence is your THESIS: Answers Question With 2-3 parts -parts deal with themes or continuities/changes

EXAMPLE: Question: Discuss the continuities and changes in Europe from 800 – 1500 c.e. Basic Introduction and thesis From c.e., Europe experienced the “Middle Ages” in which medieval society practiced economic and social feudalism. During this time period, the Christian religion stayed strong throughout, but political power changed hands as the Pope lost influence and Kings gained more power.

EXAMPLE: Question: Discuss the continuities and changes in Europe from 800 – 1500 c.e Basic Introduction and Thesis From c.e., Europe experienced the “Middle Ages” in which medieval society practiced economic and social feudalism. Socially, religion was important to Europe throughout the time period while political and economic changes helped usher in the new era of the Renaissance.

ORGANIZING AN ESSAY IT CAN BE ORGANIZED BY: CONTINUITIES AND CHANGES -continuities should go first, there are fewer!) OR THEMES/EVENTS

EXAMPLE During this time period, the Christian religion stayed strong throughout, but political power changed hands as Kings gained more power Organize by CONTINUITIES (religion/social) and CHANGES (politics, power)

EXAMPLE Socially, religion was important to Europe throughout the time period while the political and economic changes helped usher in the new era of the Renaissance. ORGANIZE BY THEMES: Social/Relgion, Politics and economics – within each there could be continuity or change

YOU ONLY NEED TO SHOW ONE CONTINUITY AND ONE CHANGE NOT a continuity and change for every theme/event

BODY PARAGRAPH TOPIC SENTENCE! (Reflects thesis and shows theme and/or continuity or change) -Please let the reader know whether you will be discussing a change or continuity EVIDENCE - You need SPECIFIC EVIDENCE (historical events – not generalizations! This is where memory needs to come into play!) - 6+ PIECES OF CORRECT EVIDENCE

BODY PARAGRAPH ANALYSIS (Why did something continue or change? Why is it important? How did it happen and what did it lead to? - You must discuss WHY something continued and why it is important -You must discuss WHY something changed and why it is important to our understanding of the region or time period.

BODY PARAGRPH GLOBAL CONTEXT - What is happening OUTSIDE your area that is helping cause the change? -Think BIG PROCESSES (industrialization, imperialism, nationalism, etc…) -How are those processes affecting your area and other areas? Are there similarities? -What is the GLOBAL TREND that applies to most of the period

GLOBAL CONTEXT – cont. GLOBAL CONTEXT can be put into the last paragraph What trends are unfolding worldwide during this time period (environmentally, technological, culturally, politically, economically, socially) – relate it to your idea - Does it fit into your topic – how? - Does it run against the general grain? How?

GLOBAL CONTEXT – cont. Examples of Global Trends and Contexts Growth of trade networks in Africa from = expansion of Islam (context trend) Rise of Atlantic slave trade (change) = growing appetite for cheap labor caused by exploitation of colonies, plantations and industrialization (context) Cultural and intellectual advancement in Europe during the Renaissance (change) – general flouishing of arts and cultural in technologically advanced societies worldwide (context) The fall of an empire (change) = does it relate to a larger migratory pattern (i.e. invading tribes) or a widespread environmental trend (i.e. desertification) The rise of religious fundamentalism in the modern era (change) – does this fun counter to the general tendency for modern societies to be more secular?