WHAP Reeves Comparative Essay Primer Feb 21-22, 2012 Name/Per

WHAP – Reeves Comparative Essay Primer Feb 21-22, 2012 Name/Per:

The Comparative Essay for the World History AP test is probably the easiest to understand. The basic format is the compare and contrast essay format that you have been familiar with for years. However, there are important points to remember unique to the WHAP Comparative. Make sure you are familiar with the timing, rubric, prompt analysis, brainstorming technique, categorization, thesis and outline format.

Timing: 40 minutes total. Spend 5 to 10 minutes planning, leave 30 minutes to write.

Rubric: Know exactly what you need to get the 7 points, qualifying you for bonus points.

Thesis-1 point Answer the full question-2 Evidence-2 Direct comparisons-1 Analyze-1

Prompt Analysis: Break down the prompt, looking for action words parameters and qualifiers.

Example: Analyze similarities and differences in the political and economic systems of land and maritime empires of the period 1450-1750. Choose ONE land empire and ONE maritime empire below:

Land Empires: Russia, Ottoman, Mughal, Japan, China Maritime Empires: French, British, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese

Brainstorming Technique: Use a 3-box Venn Diagram to gather your thoughts and see them clearly.

Categorization: After completing the brainstorm, look at the contents and try to see 2 or 3 categories that most of them will fit into. The prompt may already suggest (in parenthesis) categories for you, or you can use other categories if you are not specifically told to focus on categories given.

Thesis: Write a thesis in a single sentence which uses important words from the prompt (parameters), gives categories for comparison, and makes an argument. Examples to the above prompt:

Bad Example: The Russian and French Empires have many similarities and differences.

Better Example: The Russian and French Empires of 1450-1750 are both European monarchies based on exploiting the people and resources of their territories, but the French Empire was a global maritime empire with many different peoples extracting a variety of resources, while the Russian Empire was a Eurasian land empire exploiting its own people and focusing mostly on agriculture.

Outline Format: Your essay should follow a standard outline. With practice, this will make it easier for you to plan your essay and make sure you meet all the rubric requirements.

Paragraph 1- Thesis, roadmap (if not spelled out in thesis) Body paragraphs- First sentence: give a clear comparison that has the basic similarity and difference relating to ONE CATEGORY. Second sentence: Explain the similarity and difference- why are they similar and different? Rest of paragraph: Give the evidence which supports your assertion and analysis. REPEAT THIS FOR EACH CATEGORY, ONE BODY PARAGRAPGH Conclusion- (After RE-reading your body paragraphs) re-state your thesis, reflecting any additions you made between planning and writing the essay. Thesis: Skittles and MnMs are similar foods but they have differences in tastes and appearance.

Cat 1: S and MM are both popular candies but S are fruity and MM are chocolaty. Their sweet taste and memorable advertising make them popular. When people want a sweet snack or dessert, they usually either want fruityness or choclateyness, so eith S or MM will fill that desire. They meet diverse demands with with their different varieties of flavor, S with fruit varieties, MMs with a variety of fillings such as peanut, pretzel, etc. Chewy/Crunchy… other evidence from brainstorm.

Cat 2: S and MM are both small, round colorful pieces of candy with a single letter logo printed on them, however, S are thicker and MMs are flatter. Their colorful appearance and small size makes them appealing to people of all ages. Their difference in shape is due to the type of center of that MM variety. … other evidence from Brainstorm.

Conclusion: restate thesis.