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.



Change

Recognize it as it occurs in history.

  Identify & Understand the causes of change

Continuity

Recognize 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 question Determine  “What” – topic  “Who” – society or region  “When” – parameter of dates List the Continuities Build 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

Continuities Continuity #1 Continuity #2 Continuity #3 Changes Beginning Date 622 CE Now Use the One on your Own Paper End Date 1258 CE

Characteristics at beginning of Time Period

1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3.

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 Significant Continuities Reasons Why Changes & Continuities Occured Global Context

1. 2. 3.

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

now gradually Later Eventually immediately at once at this point Next afterward soon before until that time up to that time formerly as things evolved in the century over time ironically previously

CONTINUITY WORDS

carry on Proceed Stay Persist Remain Unceasing Preserve Retain persistent sustained enduring ongoing constant sustained maintained uphold

Clearly Writing

  Background Information  Write 2-3 sentence to set up the time period Thesis  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 Thesis Show 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 pt Has 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 pt Partially 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