1. HOW TO WRITE A COMPARE/CONTRAST

2. Rubric Key things: One DIRECT comparison
ANALYZES the reasoning behind that direct comparison

3. FIRST THINGS FIRST This will involve two societies/regions
The whole point of this essay is to prove you can analyze two places and point out similarities and differences
How are they the same? How are they different?
Just like in CCOT, you prefer to talk about one over the other. Don’t just talk about differences!
YOU MUST EXPLAIN WHY
You can’t just say that Anderson is different from Westlake and move on. WHY and HOW are they different? WHY do they have those differences??

4. 1. Thesis
Address both similarities and differences and the time period
Be specific! Bad example:
“Anderson has some similarities with Westlake. However, Anderson has more differences. Therefore, Anderson and Westlake are more different.”
Good example:
“Anderson and Westlake are both high schools in Austin with a large population and winning sports teams. However, Anderson has the nationally-ranked IB program, while Westlake only offers AP classes. Therefore, Anderson and Westlake are more different than similar.”

5. 2. Addresses all parts of the question
Differences AND similarities
DON’T just talk about differences. I know that it’s so easy to, but you MUST discuss similarities as well. Economy is usually a good one for this (or, you know, when in doubt, talk about the treatment of women or minorities)

6. 3. Evidence
Lots of it. Every chance you get. Be specific. Don’t just say “Anderson teachers are better than Westlake teachers.” Say “Anderson has the best teachers in Austin, such as Ms. Neinast and Ms. Glankler, who excel at teaching AP World History.”
DON’T LIST OUT EVIDENCE IN ONE LONG SENTENCE
Break it up. You only get credit for one piece of evidence per sentence, so don’t word vomit all that you know into one long run-on sentence.
You’ll need, to be safe, a minimum of 7 pieces of specific evidence to get both points

7. 4. Makes at least one relevant, direct comparison between/among societies
In the same sentence, directly compare/contrast them.
Sentences stems!
“Unlike Anderson, Westlake _________________.”
Ex – “Unlike Anderson, whose football team did not make it to the regional playoffs, Westlake’s football team made it to the state playoffs.”
“Similarly to Anderson, Westlake also ____________.”
“Similarly to Anderson’s high academic standing, Westlake also has a great academic program, and both schools offer AP and honors classes.”

8. 5. Analyzes at least one reason for a similarity or difference identified in a direct comparison
Do this immediately after your last sentence that directly compared/contrasted the two things
Sentence stems!
“this is because…”
“this is due to…”
“Unlike Anderson, whose football team did not make it to the regional playoffs, Westlake’s football team made it to the state playoffs. This is because Anderson stresses academics more than it does sports, and Anderson’s football coaching staff has experienced many changes over the past few years, which has made it hard to be consistent and truly build up a team.”

9. COMPARE/CONTRAST PRACTICE!

10. Analyze similarities and differences in how TWO of the following empires used religion to govern before
Byzantine Empire
Islamic Caliphates
Mauryan/Gupta Empires

11. Compare demographic and environmental effects of the Columbian Exchange on the Americas with the Columbian Exchange’s demographic and environmental effects on ONE of the following regions between 1492 and 1750.
Africa
Asia
Europe

12. For funzies
Analyze the similarities and differences between Marvel’s Iron Man and Marvel’s Captain America.
Analyze the similarities and differences between AP World History and Pre-AP Geography.