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Essay Writing

Learn the proven formula for writing effective history essays. This guide will help you address prompts, provide historical evidence, and structure your essay for success.

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Essay Writing

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

  2. 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! History Essay Writing

  3. Mr.Wyka’s World History Essay Writing Formula • 5 paragraphs • NOT fancy, NOT wordy • Get the job done! Break it Down! 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 1450 C.E.

  7. Thesis #1 • There were lots of changes in the Indian Ocean trade from 650 to 1450. 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: “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 email 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 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 1450 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.

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