AP World History Comparative Essay Generic Rubric Overview

AP World History Comparative Essay Generic Rubric Overview

Basic Core
Historical skills and knowledge required to show competence. Expanded Core
Historical skills and knowledge required to show excellence. 1. Has acceptable thesis. 1 Point (addresses comparison of the issues or themes specified)

2. Addresses all parts of the 2 Points of the question, though not necessarily evenly or thoroughly.

(Addresses most parts of the (1) question: for example, deals with differences but not similarities)

3. Substantiates thesis with 2 Points appropriate evidence.

(Partially substantiates thesis with (1)
appropriate evidence.)

4. Makes at least three relevant, 1 Point direct comparisons between or among societies.

5. Analyzes at least three reasons 1 Point for a similarity or difference identified in a direct comparison.

Expands beyond basic core of  1-7 Points. The basic core of a 0-2 Points score of 7 must be achieved before a student can earn expanded core points.

Examples:
• Has a clear, analytical, and comprehensive thesis
• Addresses all parts of the question (as relevant): comparisons, chronology, causation, connections, themes, interactions, content. • Provides ample historical evidence to substantiate thesis. • Relates comparisons to larger global context.

• Makes several direct comparisons consistently between or among societies. • Consistently analyzes the causes and effects of relevant similarities and differences.
Subtotal 7 Points

Subtotal 2 Points ​
TOTAL ​9 Points

Comparative Essay Notes
1. The time allotted for the essay is 40 minutes, 5 minutes of which should be spent planning and/or outlining the answer.
Sample Comparative Essay
Unfree labor systems were widely used for agricultural production in the period 1450-1750. Discuss the major similarities and differences between TWO of the following systems: ​Caribbean slavery
​North American slavery
​West African slavery
​Russian serfdom

Comparative Structure for Essay

I Introduction
• Thesis
• Roadmap

II ​1st Sentence for each body paragraph should be a comparative (a direct comparison sentence) ​2nd sentence then explains/analysis the direct comparison in the first sentence III​Then subsequent sentences in the paragraph should provide at least 2 info statements/evidence in each paragraph.

IV

V Conclusion

Keep in Mind:
* the thesis can only be counted as the thesis and not also as a direct comparison * use linking comparative words such as “whereas” to help set up direct comparisons * if in the comparative question there is a parenthetical qualifier such as (political, economic, cultural), it is not required that evidence is given for each. This parenthetical qualifier helps students think about what to write.

Thesis Statement Construction
A thesis statement must
• Fully address the question asked (not the one you’d prefer to answer) • Take a position in answering the question asked
• Provide organization categories to support your position (these categories will be the subject of the topic sentences in the main body paragraphs)
Compare urban-based societies with pastoral/nomadic societies: political, social (class, labor, and gender), economic, religious, and cultural needs and organizational patterns.