How to Write the Essay!

To evaluate your ability to analyze historical changes and continuities that have shaped events, social, political, economic developments in history and ability to gauge your analysis of global processes.

This is really a high-level analysis of history.

What do they Mean?

This essay question deals specifically with analysis of continuities and changes over time covering at least one of the periods (or over a significant period of time) in the course outline. It addresses, for example, technology, trade, culture, migrations, or environment.

The continuity and change over time questions require analysis of process and explanation of causation with specific examples.

ChangeRecognize it as it occurs in history.Identify & Understand the causes of change

ContinuityRecognize factors which remain the same throughout an entire period

Identify & Understand factors which allow this to continue

Must discuss, utilize concrete detail and analyze changes that occurred relevant to the prompt and correctly!

If the prompt discusses command terms (social and political) you need to focus on political and social changes.

If your prompt is more vague, you need to think of aspects to base your analysis

By the end of the course we will have regional CCOT charts!

The prompt also asks you to address continuities, generally these are patterns or tendencies that remain the same for years and years.

You need to have concrete detail (facts) to back up your continuities.

How to read the question

Read the questionDetermine

“What” – topic “Who” – society or region “When” – parameter of dates

List the ContinuitiesBuild a timeline for Change

list events for the topic Beginning, middle, end

Analyze the political transformation that occurred from 622 CE through 1258 in Western Asia and the Muslim World.

Draw your Essay Circle on your Paper!

Setting up Clear Wrting

ContinuitiesContinuity #1Continuity #2Continuity #3

ChangesBeginning Date End Date

622 CE 1258 CE

Now Use the One on your Own Paper

How to Write Clearly

You can choose several ways to organize the essay. Period Approach▪ Beginning▪ Middle▪ End

Topic Approach▪ Political▪ Social▪ Technological, etc

I would choose Period approach for

the Changes and add a Continuity Paragraph to the essay.

While _________ stayed the same, in the period from _______ to __________,

_________ changed from __________ to

____________ and _________ changed from _________ to __________,

This is a sample….not the best thesis!!

Unacceptable: Islam as a political structure both changed and

stayed the same during this period. Islam was the main religion until today.

Acceptable From 600-1258 Islam became the main focus

for politics in Western Asia and North Africa, however it went from unity to fragmentation.

Excellent: While Islam became the foundation for political

structure in Western Asia, North Africa and Al-Andalus from 600-1258, it varied from unity to fragmentation due to fractures from power legitimization and takeover.

CHANGE WORDS CONTINUITY WORDS

now beforegradually until that timeLater up to that timeEventually formerly immediately as things evolvedat once in the centuryat this point over timeNext ironicallyafterward previouslysoon

carry on persistentProceed sustainedStay enduringPersist ongoingRemain constantUnceasing sustainedPreserve maintainedRetain uphold

Clearly Writing

Background Information Write 2-3 sentence to set up the time

periodThesis

Put your excellent thesis at the end of the paragraph

Use your change and continuity words

Change Paragraph Topic sentence Set up characteristics at beginning of time

period▪ Use specific examples and dates - evidence

Describe examples of significant changes, turning points, or developments▪ Use specific examples and dates - evidence

Analyze (give reasons) why each of these changes occurred

Set up characteristics at end of period▪ Use specific examples and dates - evidence

Describe the global context

Continuity Paragraph Topic sentence Give specific examples of continuities

(related to topic) in the time period Give reasons (analyze) why these

continuities occurred Describe the global context for the

continuities

Restate ThesisShow that you have proved your

case Summarize the basic trends of the time

period as related to the question

Proof that you Wrote Clearly

1 ptHas an acceptable thesis.

Must be explicitly stated in the introduction or conclusion ofthe essay.

May appear as 1 sentence or as multiple (contiguous) sentences.

May not be split among separated sentences, or a mere restatement of the question.

2 pts – 1 pt Addresses all parts of the question, though

not necessarily evenly or thoroughly For 2 Points: Address BOTH change AND

continuity.

Addresses most parts of the question: for example, addresses change but not continuity.)

1 pt For 1 Point: Address EITHER change OR continuity.

2pts Substantiates thesis with appropriate

historical evidence. 2 pts Provides 6 pieces of accurate evidence of

change and/or continuity. evidence for continuity or change must be

related to topic of question at least 1 piece of evidence must be a

continuity, and at least 1 must be a change.

1 ptPartially substantiates thesis with

appropriate historical evidence. 1 pt Provides 3 pieces of accurate evidence

of change and/or continuity. evidence for continuity or change must

be related to question topic.

1 pt. Uses relevant world historical context

effectively to explain continuity and change over time. 1 pt Provides accurate and relevant world

historical context for either change or continuity.

This context may relate to broad world historical patterns or to specific global historical developments.

1 pt. Analyzes the process of continuity and change

over time. 1 pt Analyze (with accuracy and specificity) the causes

and/or effects of either change or continuity during the time period.

Analysis may NOT count as the thesis point.

Analysis “Cue” Words because caused / caused by led to came from in order to due to

Expands beyond basic core of 1–7 points.

The basic core score of 7 must be achieved before a student can earn expanded core points

Has a clear, analytical, and comprehensive thesis.

Addresses all parts of the question (as relevant): global context, chronology, causation, change, continuity, effects, content

Provides ample historical evidence to substantiate thesis.

Provides links with relevant ideas, events and trends in an innovative way

Addresses all parts of the question evenly