1. Free Response: Comparative Essay
AP World History Writing Workshop
Julia M. Hyman
BISD K-12 Social Studies Consultant

2. Comparative Essay
The final free-response essay--comparative question that focuses on developments in two or more societies, and their interactions with each other or with major themes or events (e.g. culture, trade, religion, technology, migrations).
You'll have 40 minutes to write the essay. It's recommended that you spend five minutes planning and/or outlining your answer before you begin writing.

3. Basic CORE: Competency Expanded CORE: Excellence
Scoring Guidelines
Basic CORE: Competency
Possible Points: 0 - 6
Has an acceptable thesis
1 point
Address all parts of the question
2 points
Substantiates thesis with appropriate historical evidence
Makes at least two relevant, direct comparisons among or between societies
Expanded CORE: Excellence
Possible Points : 0 - 3
Basic CORE of six points must be obtained before the expanded CORE can be earned.

4. Acceptable Thesis State directly
Locate at either the beginning or end of essay—do not split
Must include both similarities and differences
Focus on Subordinating Conjunctions!!

5. Format of the Thesis Sentence for a Comparative Essay
___________, coordinating conjunction ___________.
(Coordinate: Of Equal Value use coordinating conjunction with a full sentence on either side. Use words such as and, or, but, neither/nor, either/or, not only/but also)
If you need to show a relationship or demonstrate causality, go with one of the following formats:
_____________; subordinating conjunction, ________.
(Value one over the other use a subordinating conjunction. See Chart.)
Subordinating conjunction ____________, _________.

6. Subordinating Conjunctions
Concession (Provide help on the thesis)
Compare
Contrast
Although
like
although
Though
same
however
Even though
both
differ
While it may be true
the same as
unlike
In spite of
similar
even though
Granted that
in the same way
yet
Whereas
most important
but
While
similarly
instead as
on the contrary
too
whereas
as well as
while
compared to
unless
and
contrary to or
the reverse

7. Consider this Question:
Compare and contrast the political and economic effects of Mongol rule on TWO of the following regions:
China
Middle East
Russia

8. Address All Parts of the Question: Break Down the Prompt:
Compare and contrast the political and economic effects of Mongol rule on TWO of the following regions:
China
Middle East
Russia
Address all four parts = 2 full points
Address only two – three parts = 1 point
Address only one part = 0 points
Must show both similarities and differences to get full value in the thesis!

9. Brainstorm What You Know: 5 Minutes
Political Evidence
Economic Evidence
China
Kept modified civil service system
Upper level bureaucracy reserved for Mongols
Yaun Dynasty: Kublai Khan direct rule
General benevolence when no resistance
Religious toleration to consolidate rule
Maintained Silk Roads, Postal System during ; safe travel encouraged international trade
Facilitated commerce and communication
Middle East
Ruthless annihilation of resistance (terror tactics)
Indirect rule: regents for the Khan
Canal system destroyed
Sacked and destroyed Baghdad
Russia
Religious toleration to consolidate rule; Russian Orthodoxy flourished
Heavy Taxes levied and collected by Moscow Princes
Outlet for the fur trade from Russia
2 or 3 historic examples = 1 point
(One piece of evidence can count for more than one region if it is specifically explained for each region.)
4 historic examples = 2 points

10. Format of the Thesis Sentence for a Comparative Essay
The Mongols had significant political and economic impact on both Russia and China during their rule, but China experienced a greater impact due to direct rule than did Russia under rule by proxy.
China and Russia both benefitted economically from Mongol rule; however, China experienced greater political intervention during the Mongol reign.
Although Russia and China both benefitted economically from Mongol rule, China benefitted more politically under Mongol direction.

11. Direct Comparisons Need at least two direct comparisons of the regions
May be either comparison or contrast
One must be political
One must be economic
Earn 1 point

12. Expanded CORE Points
Can only be earned if you receive a 6 on the basic CORE
Looking for:
Clear, analytical and comprehensive thesis
Balanced treatment of both regions
Balanced treatment of both similarities and differences
Balanced treatment of both political and economic analyses
Ample historical evidence
Comparisons in a larger global context