1. The AP World History Way! Mr. Wyka
COT
Essay Writing
The AP World History Way!
Mr. Wyka
COMPARISON

2. History Essay Writing NOT the same as “creative writing” class
NOT the same as “journalism”– but closer
MUST address the prompt and give historical evidence
A LITTLE bit like a formula
Memorize the basic structure
Plug in your facts and analysis
And Voila!

3. Break it Down! Mr. Wyka’s World History Essay Writing Formula
5 paragraphs
NOT fancy, NOT wordy
Get the job done!
DBQ
CCOT
COMP

4. Introduction First paragraph Contains thesis statement
Answer the prompt with a specificity!
Be specific (tell the reader WHY)
Provides supporting details to “set the scene”
Forms the framework of your essay.
1. Thesis

5. Huh? What’s a Thesis? The major point or argument of your paper
MUST be in the introduction paragraph
Drives your essay
Start with
Although a is important, b is more significant because…
May be two consecutive sentences
You Can NOT have a split thesis

6. The Question
Analyze the change and continuities in commerce along the Indian Ocean from 650 to C.E.

7. Thesis #1
There were lots of changes in the Indian Ocean trade from 650 to However, many things stayed the same.
OK?
Not OK?
Not OK! (not going to get a thesis point!)

8. Thesis #2
Indian Ocean trade was very important. A lot of traders made money selling stuff. They spread Islam and even invented Swahili so they could talk to each other. Some things stayed the same like selling tea and spices.
OK?
Not OK?
Not OK! (No time period! No thesis point!)

9. Thesis #3
During the period of 650 to 1450, changes in the Indian Ocean trade resulted from new technologies that allowed for sailing in the open ocean and broader and direct sea contact with East Asia, however, the types of traded goods remained mostly the same.
OK?
Not OK?
OK! (pretty good, actually!)

10. Paragraph 2-4 Contains good transition sentences
However – Therefore - As an example
Explains the facts WITH analysis
One or two per paragraph
Analysis cues
Due to, because, since, as a result
In other words, always explain WHY.
Gives the impact or significance of the fact
What changed?
Who was affected and why?

11. Conclusion Re-states the thesis without exact wording
Briefly summarizes your argument
And you’re done!
See? You can do it!

12. THOU SHALT NOT... Start or end with: Use:
“These are some of the reasons why...”
“There were many differences and similarities...”
Use:
I, me, you, we, us
“IMHO”
B/C, W/O, cuz
Any number instead of spelling (“to” NOT 2)‏
Text message or style

13. Three Types of Essays Compare and Contrast (Comp)‏
Change and Continuity Over Time (CCOT)‏
Document Based Question (DBQ)‏

14. Compare and Contrast ALWAYS do both Must be clear in your thesis
How were x and y the same?
How were x and y different?
Must be clear in your thesis
OK to not be even so long as BOTH are discussed
Example:
Han China and the Roman empire were similar in size and achievements, although the Romans are most remembered for technology such as the aqueduct while the Chinese are known for their silk trade.

15. The Most Common Mistake
In the Comparison essay, the most common mistake is to write a thesis that looks like…
X and Y were both similar in some ways and different in others.
What’s wrong with it?

16. Change and Continuity - COT
ALWAYS discuss both
How did X change over time?
How did X stay the same over time?
Must be clear in your thesis
OK to not be even so long as BOTH are discussed
Example:
Trade goods such as spices in the Indian Ocean from 650 to remained constant. The technology to conduct business like the lateen sail, the compass, and the rudder allowed new goods such as silk and tea to be introduced.

17. COT Rubric

18. Comparison Rubric

19. Video Tutorial
How to write a great COT in less than 5 minutes.