1. Aim: How do we write an essay comparing Mesopotamia to Egypt?

2. Essay Question
Analyze similarities and differences in how the environment impacted the development of Mesopotamia and Egypt.

3. Rubric – 6 Points Possible
Requirement
Points
1. Thesis 1
2. Contextualization
-Describes a broader historical context
relevant to the prompt.
3. Evidence and Support for Argument:
-Provides specific examples of evidence
relevant to the prompt (identifies 2 or more)
-Supports argument using specific historical
evidence 2
4. Analysis and Reasoning:
-Uses historical reason (comparison,
causation, CCOT) to frame argument
-Demonstrates a complex understanding of
historical development

4. Essay Points Numeric Grade6
100
5.5 95 5 90
4.5 87 4 85
3.5 80 3 75
2.5 70 2 65
1.5 55 1 50

5. Direct Comparisons Compare directly by doing the following:
For similarities: similarly, likewise, both
For differences: as opposed to, unlike, in contrast to, contrary to, on the other hand, meanwhile
Analyze the similarity or difference (explain how or why they are similar or different)
Because, due to the fact, the reason, as a result

6. Similarities in Environments
Both developed in river valleys (food and water source) – helped in survival and led to success
Rivers gave life to civilization

7. Supporting Evidence
Once you have established what the comparison for the paragraph will be you have to give specific evidence for each region supporting your topic sentence

8. How did this impact them in a similar way?
Both depended on their rivers to sustain a productive agriculture in arid lands
Had growing populations and demand for resources
Floods influenced religious beliefs
Trade / Transportation led to thriving economies
Carried on extensive long-distance trade
- Mesopotamia Indus Valley
- Egypt Nubia & Ethiopia

9. How did this impact them in a similar way?
Had interaction with each other and both near and distant neighbors
it’s possible that Egypt’s step pyramids and its system of writing were stimulated by Mesopotamian models
Both spread cultural influence
- Mesopotamia Hebrews - legal system (“eye for an eye”) and stories of a Great Flood
- Egypt Nubians – copied Egyptian styles – burial, pyramids, gods, hieroglyphics

10. How did this impact them in a similar way?
Felt impact of neighboring people
Hittites overthrew Babylonian Empire (Mesopotamia)
Hyksos invaded and ruled Egypt
Both incorporated chariot technology into their military

11. Differences in Environments
Mesopotamia
Unpredictable, violent floods of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
Led to negative view of gods / afterlife
gods were quarreling / angry, bleak afterlife
Ecological Deterioration – deforestation, soil erosion, increased salinization of soil due to complex irrigation systems

12. Differences in Environments
Egypt
Predictable, stable floods of the Nile
Led to positive view of gods/afterlife
Gods were kind / welcoming, afterlife was pleasant
Sustainable Agricultural System
Stable
Less intrusive, natural irrigation

13. Differences in Environments
Mesopotamia
Open Plains
Led to many invasions
Initially walled city-states
Later unified into empires but each was short-lived and unstable
Diversity – hard to unify

14. Differences in Environments
Egypt
Sahara Desert, mountains, seas, cataracts
Provided natural protection
Led to stable and longer lasting empire
Not as diverse so easier to unify

15. Thesis (Intro) Paragraph
Need to address both environmental similarities and differences.
Can express this in more than one sentence.
This is the bulk of your introduction.

16. Thesis Pointers
Great starting/transition words - “While”/ “Despite”/ “Although”/ “However”
Thesis must incorporate all parts of the prompt question and a time period (if given)
A good thesis “lights the way” and provides a travel direction for the rest of the essay

17. Thesis No No’s
YOU CAN NEVER SAY… “THERE WERE MANY SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THESE TWO CIVILIZATIONS”
Thesis must be more specific in stating how they were similar and different

18. Sample Thesis
Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations had many similarities and differences.
NOT ACCEPTED!!!!

19. Sample Thesis
Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations had many similarities and differences in their environment
NOT ACCEPTED!!!!

20. Sample Thesis
Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations were similar in that they depended on river valleys for their survival and success. However, Egypt’s geography enabled great cultural and political unification while Mesopotamia’s geography made it difficult to unify.

21. Sample Thesis
Mesopotamia and Egypt’s environments both consisted of river valleys that provided them with necessary resources for their success and survival. However, Mesopotamia's open plains and violent floods had a negative impact on their religion and made it harder to unite. On the other hand, Egypt’s deserts and stable floods had a more positive impact on their religion and enabled a long lasting empire.

22. Topic Sentence
Provides an overview of what will be discussed in the paragraph
Explains to the reader what similarity or difference will be discussed

23. Sample Topic Sentence for Environmental Similarities
Egypt and Mesopotamia both arose in river valley environments that enabled their survival and success.

24. Sample Topic Sentence for Environmental Differences
Even though both environments influenced religion, the geography of Mesopotamia had a negative impact on religion while the geography of Egypt had a positive impact.

25. Sample Thesis
Mesopotamia and Egypt’s governments were similar in that they both had absolute rulers who used religion to justify their power. However they were different as Mesopotamia was a series of city states, while Egypt was a united empire. Mesopotamia's environment had a negative impact, making them vulnerable to constant invasions and creating a negative view on religion. On the other hand, Egypt’s environment had a more positive impact, giving them a positive view of their gods and the afterlife.

26. Contextualization Connect the question to broader historical events, developments, or processes that occur BEFORE, DURING, or CONTINUE AFTER the time frame in question
Example Why/How did the Neolithic Revolution lead to early civilizations?

27. Contextualization
Advanced civilizations such as Mesopotamia and Egypt were a direct result of the Neolithic Revolution. Compared with hunter-gatherers, farming societies produced a food surplus which led to specialized jobs other than farming. Having productive agriculture near rivers also led to extensive trade. Writing formed to keep track of business transactions. Governments and states formed to organize public works and to keep control over bigger, settled populations. Over time, advanced architecture such as pyramids were built to support more organized religions.

28. Conclusion
Restate your thesis
DO NOT add any additional information

29. Essay Format Thesis Paragraph Contextualization Paragraph
Comparative Paragraph(s) – discuss in detail at least 2 comparisons (1 major similarity and 1 major difference) with supporting evidence – Hint: Look at the suggestions with the arrows that show evidence
Conclusion