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. The specific time is 1940 – 2000. It addresses, for example, race relations, religion, foreign policy, economic policy, 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

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 two changes and one continuity of ____________________ for the time period of 1940 – 2000.

Insert your topic

Setting up Clear Wrting

ContinuitiesContinuity #1

ChangesBeginning Date End Date

1940 2000

Characteristics at beginning of Time

Period

Examples of Significant Changes, Turning Points or Developments – include dates

Note type of change (sudden gradual, developmental)

Characteristics at the end of the Time Period

1. 2.

Significant Continuities

1.

Reasons Why Changes & Continuities

Occured

1. 2. 3.

How to Write Clearly

Paragraph 1 Introduction with

thesis statement Paragraph 2

Discuss a specific change and why the change occurred.

Paragraph 3 Discuss a second

specific change and why the change occurred.

Paragraph 4 Discuss a specific

continuity and why that continuity occurred

Paragraph 5 Conclusion

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: The role of women both changed and stayed

the same during this period. The role of women was significant during this

time period. Acceptable

From 1940-2000 women played a significant role in American society, however their role shifted in the workplace and politically.

Excellent: While women remained the foundation for

family life from 1940-2000 in the United States, their role in the workplace and politics changed as their role became more legitimized by passage of legislation.

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 significant change, turning point, or developments Use specific examples and dates - evidence

Analyze (give reasons) why this changes occurred

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

Change Paragraph (2nd Change) Topic sentence Set up characteristics at beginning of time

period▪ Use specific examples and dates - evidence

Describe significant change, turning point, or developments Use specific examples and dates - evidence

Analyze (give reasons) why this changes occurred

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

Continuity Paragraph Topic sentence Give specific example of continuity

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

continuity occurred Describe the 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 2 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.

2 pt. Analyzes the process of continuity and change

over time. 2 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. The essay is rich in detail.

Provides links to external events outside of immediate circumstances and discusses how the event impacts continuity/change.

Concludes in a manner other than restating or paraphrasing prompt.

Writing is nearly grammatically perfect, devoid of 1sr or 2nd person, passive voice, pronoun ambiguity, sentence fragments or run-on sentences. Vocab usage is fluid and stylistic – not non-sensical or overdone

Typed 12 point font size Times New Roman, Calibri, or Cambria font style 1 inch margins on all sides Page number in right side footer Student Name, Date, and Teacher Name and Class

Period on top left of first page, single spaced Essay title centered and bold, double spaced Essay text – paragraphs indented, double spaced,

justified lines (see formatting guide for example)  

6 sources other than textbook and notes

3 of the 6 MUST be an academic journal

Cite sources in Chicago style

Your paper is not submitted until you receive an email receipt from turnitin.com stating that it has been submitted.

< 15% similarity rateOne point will be deducted for every

percentage point over 15%