Steps
(AP World History Format)
The compare/contrast essay on the AP Exam usually addresses how two societies
responded to a major development or theme. Besides knowing specific similarities and
differences between the societies given in the topic, it is also very important to keep in
mind big-picture ideas in history. In other words, dont just concentrate on two
societies or geographic regions mentioned in the question. Think of larger global
processes that influenced the changes and continuities in the societies you are
comparing and contrasting. The major themes tested on the AP World History Exam
comparative essay include the following:
Point(s)
Possible:
1
2
(1)
2
(1)
1
1
Point(s)
Possible:
SUBTOTAL:
TOTAL:
0-2
10
NECESSARY STEPS:
STEP 1: PROCESS THE QUESTION
TOPIC: Compare and contrast reactions to western European commercial and cultural
contacts in two of the following empires between 1500 and 1800.
JAPAN
CHINA
RUSSIA
You must understand what you need to address in your thesis. Circle or underline
key words or phrases in the question. The phrase that you should underline in this
case is: western European commercial and cultural contacts. Do not forget that your
essay (your thesis) must include comparisons as well as contrasts.
STEP 2:
Society 1:
Society 2:
Western
commercial and
cultural contacts
and each societies
reactions:
SIMILARITIES:
DIFFERENCES:
STEP 3:
Society 1: China
Western
commercial and
cultural contacts
and each societies
reactions:
SIMILARITIES:
DIFFERENCES:
2
Society 2: Russia
- In the 17th cen. surrounded
by powerful neighbors.
Unsuccessful at accessing
warm water ports. (Sweden
and Poland-Lithuania)
- Econ. contact with the West:
fur trade! (Siberian expansion)
- Peter the Greats Westernization
You want to make sure that your comparisons/contrasts are about the same
issue. For example:
The quantity and variety of the Chinese products allowed China to enjoy more
benefits from its contacts with the West in contrast to Russias limited contacts. The
Chinese economy flourished from its interactions with Western Europe because of
high demand for such highly valuable products as silk, porcelain, tea, and lacquered
furniture. On the other hand, only a few products from Russia were in high demand
in the West. Furs from Siberia was one of them, and, though Russian exports to
Western Europe expanded toward the end of the 18th century, they were still mostly raw
materials, such as timber and iron.
A solid thesis statement clearly states a claim (you must take a position). It
identifies/defines the terms, context, chronology of the events under
discussion, and, when needed, describes why your claim is true. When
writing a compare and contrast essay your thesis MUST INCLUDE
COMPARISONS (similarities) as well as CONTRASTS (differences)
From this point on, lets look at the following example and then you can practice writing
a thesis for your topic (Ch.19/Ch.20).
TOPIC: Compare and contrast reactions to western European commercial and cultural
contacts in two of the following empires between 1500 and 1800.
JAPAN
CHINA
RUSSIA
THESIS: Even though both empires economies benefited from trade with Western
Europe, the variety, quality, and high demand for the Chinese products gave China more
advantageous terms of trade compared to the Russian commercial interactions with the
West. The governments of both countries attempted to control and regulate economic
exchanges with western Europeans. On the other hand, Russian culture underwent more
dramatic changes as a result of opening and expanding the country, especially in the 18 th
century. Chinese high society, though influenced by Jesuits, remained more traditional.
For your part, choose any two out of six empires/civilizations mentioned in
Chapters 19 and 20. Come up with a topic for your compare/contrast essay (for
some ideas: see Chapter 19 questions on p.485). Write your own topic and then
practice writing a thesis statement.
YOUR TOPIC:
Each body paragraph should start with a topic sentence that will state either
a similarity or a difference previewed in your thesis statement.
Then, you must provide evidence to support your topic sentence. Preferably,
the evidence in your body paragraph will directly compare/contrast the two
societies.
Follow evidence with analysis when appropriate.
Example:
(topic sentence) The quantity and variety of the Chinese products allowed China to
enjoy more benefits from its contacts with the West in contrast to Russias limited
contacts.
(evidence) The Chinese economy flourished from its interactions with Western Europe
because of high demand for such highly valuable products as silk, porcelain, tea, and
lacquered furniture. On the other hand, only a few products from Russia were in high
demand in the West. Furs from Siberia was one of them, and, though Russian exports
to Western Europe expanded toward the end of the 18th century, they were still mostly
raw materials, such as timber and iron.
(analysis) see next page
Your opening paragraph should start with a broad sentence(s) that will set
the stage. For my topic, it might look something like this:
Period between 1500 and 1800 witnessed the emergence of western European
countries as the most technologically and economically dominant world powers on a
global scale. China and Russia, two greatest land empires of that time period, reacted
to these contacts in a variety of ways.
Mention both sides (empires for this essay) in your topic sentence(s). If you
only write about one of them in your topic sentence, you may forget to
compare/contrast it with the other one in your body paragraph.
To make your body paragraph flow, use transitional words and phrases, such
as furthermore, in addition, even though, in contrast to, similarly to, etc.