Comparative Essay

APWH

Comparative Essay Rubric

•

Thesis (1)

•

Addresses all parts of the question (2/1pt)

•

Supports thesis with historical evidence (2/1)

•

Direct comparison (1pt)

•

Analysis of comparison (1pt)

• Example: Compare trade and economics in Han China and Imperial Rome

Step 1: Braintstorm

• Create a T chart and brainstorm similarities and differences (5min)

Brainstorm, quickly

Han

Silk and Luxury Items Rice = main grain Merchants had low status Used less slaves

Both

Silk Roads Farming Important Traded with India

Rome

Desired Chinese goods Grapes and Olives Merchants higher status Relied on slaves Anything that is a complete opposite is a Direct Comparison

Brainstorm, quickly

Han

Silk and Luxury Items Rice = main grain Merchants had low status Used less slaves

Both

Silk Roads Farming Important Traded with India

Rome

Desired Chinese goods Grapes and Olives Merchants higher status Relied on slaves

2 Similarities 3 differences Choose the comparisons you are most comfortable with, goal is 3 to 5.

Han

Silk and Luxury Items Rice = main grain Merchants had low status Used less slaves

Both

Silk Roads Farming Important Traded with India

Rome

Desired Chinese goods Grapes and Olives Merchants higher status Relied on slaves

3 differences 2 Similarities

Now use this as a guide to writing your thesis:

During the classical age , both the Han Dynasty and Imperial Rome relied on intense farming, and they both participated in trading items along the Silk Road Network. However , China had more luxury goods such as silk, relied less on slave labor, and gave merchants a lower status.

More than one sentence? Okay!

Use clear comparative language to show similarities and differences Use language from the prompt!

Now begin your introduction, and put your thesis statement right at the end During the classical age, major civilizations began expanding their economies to fit their growing populations. They even became connected through trade and exchange. Imperial Rome, a large empire in the Mediterranean, and Han China, the largest empire in the east had many similarities and differences in trade and economics. During the classical age, both the Han Dynasty and Imperial Rome relied on intense farming, and they both participated in trading items along the Silk Road Network. However, China had more luxury goods such as silk, relied less on slave labor, and gave merchants a lower status.

Now you have an excellent chance at earning the thesis point…multiple similarities/differences

You have the rest of your essay organized and outlined, just use your comparisons.

During the classical age, major civilizations began expanding their economies to fit their growing populations. They even became connected through trade and exchange. Imperial Rome, a large empire in the Mediterranean, and Han China, the largest empire in the east had many similarities and differences in trade and economics. During the classical age, both the Han Dynasty and Imperial Rome relied on intense farming , and they both participated in trading items along the Silk Road Network . However, China had more luxury goods such as silk , relied less on slave labor, and gave merchants a lower status.

Body Para -1 ( similarity ) Body Para -2 ( similarity ) Body Para -3 ( difference ) Body Para -4 ( difference ) Body Para -5 ( difference )

Body Paragraph

Topic Sentence - Be direct and make a statement of comparison. Either a similarity or a difference.

1. Provide specific evidence to support the comparison. As much as you can!

2. Compare the societies directly, using comparison words: - similarity, likewise, in addition, also, both, etc.

- As opposed to, unlike, on the other hand, meanwhile 3. Analyze the similarity or difference, if possible explain WHY or HOW they are similar - Use analytical language: - Because, the reason, due to the fact REPEAT FOR EACH COMPARISON PARAGRAPH

EXAMPLE OF BODY P

Using this line from the thesis:

…relied less on slave labor…

Write a topic sentence.

Han China relied less on slave labor than the Romans during the classical age.

Finish the paragraph…

• Han China relied less on slave labor than the Romans during the classical age. As Rome began expanding after the Punic wars , they gained more territory and people . Some of these people became slaves, mostly to do farm work and grow grain for the empire . They had no rights under Roman law , and were considered necessary.

China, on the other hand, did not go through the same type of expansion, and relied on peasant farmers to do most of the labor . The reason Rome used slaves more was because they gained a very large empire very quickly, while China had been a large empire since the Qin Dynasty. Rome also had borrowed the idea of slaves from the Greeks, who used them extensively. Evidence Direct Comparison Analysis of Comparison