AP World History Comparative Essay Outline
One of the two types of essays you will write on the AP World History Exam is a comparative essay. What they are basically asking you to do is examine two places and analyze how they are similar and different during a specific time frame. There are a couple key ideas to keep in mind when writing this type of an essay.
- ATQ – Answer The Question!
Your essay must address the question you are given. Make sure your response correctly addresses the topic(s) and the time frames of the question.
- WART – World Context, Argument, Reasons Three
- Your introduction/ thesis should have three parts:
- World Context – Place the events to place the change or events – Think big picture
- Examples – Age of Exploration, World War Two, Classical Civilizations
- This should be substantial – multiple sentences
- Argument – Your last sentence should lay out your response to the task, with your
- Reasons Three – A minimum of three groups/ topics that respond to the task that includes at a comparison of the themes or topics.
- Underline your thesis!
- Use Transitional Phrases
You should use good transitional phrases in your essay. They can be broken down for several ways.
- To Clarify a sequence of events: first, second, third, next, finally, last
- To show a similar relationship: similarly, in like manner, likewise
- To show or point out a result: consequently, as a result, therefore, hence
- To summarize a position: in summation, finally, in conclusion, in short
- To illustrate a point: for example, by way of illustration, for instance
- To contrast a position: on the other hand, however, but, yet, despite, although
- Detail
- Put as much detail as you can into the essay. It should be content rich. Use vocabulary terms, people, places, events, etc. to flesh out your essay. Load it up!
- Minimum 5 pieces to support your thesis!
- Analysis of Comparison
- Here you should choose at least one of the comparisons you have identified and explain why there it stayed they are the same.
- Must be substantial! Multiple sentences. Use detail!
- Manage Your Time
- You should write your essay in about 40 minutes, with the first 5 minutes outlining your essay. Stay focused on the task! You need to get to the point and move. Don’t dawdle!
- Take the first 5 minutes to outline your response. Key ideas and topics only!
- Write the Essay
Be calm, and write. Freaking out only wastes time and makes you nervous. Just do it!
EXAMPLE
Directions:
You are to answer the question below. In writing your essay, use specific examples to support your answer. Your essay should be at least 2 – 3 pages handwritten.
Task
Compare and contrast China and Japan.
Introduction- Contains brief description of the World Context.
- “As neighbors only separate by the Sea of Japan, China and Japan have a long history together.
- Thesis – One sentence that contains a comparison of the theme or topic. Use big ideas.
- Ex. “Japan is similar to China in that both countries are located in Asia and practice Buddhism, but they are different in that they have distinct cultures and histories.”
Body Paragraph #1
- Topic sentence – “Japan and China are both located in Asia.”
- Discussion with facts (vocab terms, names, places, people, events, ideas).
- Analyze reason for similarity or difference (may be a separate paragraph).
Body Paragraph #2
- Topic sentence – “Japan and China are similar in that they both practice Buddhism.”
- Discussion with facts (vocab terms, names, places, people, events, ideas).
- Analyze reason for similarity or difference (may be a separate paragraph).
Body paragraph #3
- Topic sentence – “Japan and China are different in that they have different cultures.”
- Discussion with facts (vocab terms, names, places, people, events, ideas).
- Analyze reason for similarity or difference (may be a separate paragraph).
Body paragraph #4
- Topic sentence – “Japan and China are different in that they have different histories.”
- Discussion with facts (vocab terms, names, places, people, events, ideas).
- Analyze reason for similarity or difference (may be a separate paragraph).
Body paragraph #5
- Topic sentence – “Japan and China are different in that they have different histories.”
- Discussion with facts (vocab terms, names, places, people, events, ideas).
- Analyze reason for similarity or difference (may be a separate paragraph).
Conclusion
- Restate thesis
- Repeat introduction information