1. Aim: How can I get a 5 on the Comparative AP Essay?

2. Essay Prompt
Compare two of these early civilizations in one of the AP thematic categories: Social, Political, Interactions, Culture, and Economics.
Mesopotamia
Egypt
Indus Valley (Harappa & Mohenjo Daro)
Shang or Huang He (Yellow River) valley civilization
Mesoamerica
Mediterranean
South America

3. The thesis must: State the names of both civilizations.
State which thematic category you are comparing.
2 Sim + 1 Dif OR 2 Dif + 1 Sim
1 or 2 sentences only!
“While Mars and Jupiter both are planets in our solar system and orbit our sun, Jupiter is more massive.”
“Mars and Jupiter are both planets in our solar system, but Jupiter is more massive and due to its greater gravitational pull, has more orbiting satellites.”

4. Your Essay Body: Follow your thesis order for your paragraph order
Begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence that is a direct comparison or contrast. This means that both subjects must be addressed and specific similarities or differences must identified. *Do NOT write an entire paragraph about 1 civilization, another paragraph about the 2nd civilization, and only compare/contrast in the 3rd.
Be sure to use historical evidence to support each part of your topic sentence.
Close each body paragraph with an explanation of why the similarity or difference exists.

5. Global Context
Include in Your Introduction OR Conclusion: You should discuss what else was going on in the world that impacted or was impacted by the topics of this essay within the time frame. Addressing global context demonstrates understanding of larger global patterns. NOTE: “Since the dawn of time” is not showing global historical context! Suggestions: If your essay is comparing Egypt and Mesopotamia, state commonalities/patterns you see in other Period 1 civilizations agriculture, patriarchy, polytheism….

6. Common Mistakes
Writing about differences in geography OR using geography and/or time as a reason WHY change happened – neither will earn you credit for analysis or comparison. However, you CAN draw connections between geography and how the civilizations adapted to it/how it impacted their belief systems/culture.

7. Historical skills and knowledge required to show competence
Rubric: Basic Core
Historical skills and knowledge required to show competence
Basic Core
0-7 Points
1. Acceptable Thesis: Addresses comparison of the issues or themes specified 1
2. Addresses all parts of the question, though not necessarily evenly or thoroughly 2
Addresses most parts of the question: for example, deals with differences but not similarities
3. Substantiates thesis with appropriate historical evidence
Partially substantiates thesis with appropriate historical evidence
4. Makes at least one or two relevant, direct comparisons between or among societies
5. Analyzes at least one reason for a similarity or difference identified in a direct comparison

8. Rubric: Expanded Core
(Historical skills and knowledge required to show excellence). A student must earn 7 points in the basic core area before earning points in the expanded core area.
Expanded Core
0-2 Points
Has a clear, analytical, and comprehensive thesis
Addresses all parts of the question (as relevant): comparisons, chronology, causation, connections, themes, interactions, content
Provides ample historical evidence to substantiate thesis
Relates comparisons to larger global context
Makes several direct comparisons consistently between or among societies
Consistently analyzes the causes and effects of relevant similarities and differences