Does the thesis statement have to appear at the beginning of the essay? No, the thesis
statement may appear at the beginning or at the end of the essay. Since the thesis statement serves as
a guide for the essay, however, it is better to place it at the beginning of the essay.
- Do I have to write a conclusion to my essay? Your essay does not need to have a conclusion. If
you have sufficient time to meet all the criteria for the essay and write a short conclusion, fine. If
you are pressed for time, however, skip the conclusion and proceed to the next question. - What are the most common errors made in the continuity and change-over-time essay? One of
the most common errors on this essay is the writer’s lack of knowledge of world geographical
and cultural regions. (For help in this area, consult Chapter 5 in Step 4 of this manual.) Another
common error is omission of a discussion of continuities across the time period. Other essays are
not answered successfully because they compare only the beginning and the end of the time period
in question and fail to address changes and continuities in the middle portion of the period.
The comparative essay question requires you to write an essay that compares and contrasts societies
or issues. This question may cover one or more of the Advanced Placement World History time
periods. Suggested writing time for the comparative essay is 35 minutes, including a 5-minute
prewriting period. In most cases, you will be given several regions and will be asked to compare
issues between two of the regions. Some examples of issues that you may be asked to compare are
gender roles, political structures, trade, and migrations.
Begin by writing a thesis statement that takes a stand on one aspect of the issues to be compared.
Do not simply restate the essay prompt. A statement such as the following, for example, is not an
adequate thesis statement: “There are many similarities and differences between the slave trade in the
Indian and Atlantic Ocean basins in the period between 1450 and 1750.” An adequate thesis statement
might read: “While the Indian Ocean slave trade carried slaves from eastern Africa to European-
owned plantations in the Indian Ocean between 1450 and 1750, a more vigorous slave trade across the
Atlantic between western Africa and the Americas effected profound and enduring changes upon the
societies of the Western Hemisphere.”
In order to respond adequately, it is necessary to make one or two direct comparisons between the
societies or issues addressed. Analyze the direct comparison by showing the causes and effects of
similarities and/or differences. An example of a direct comparison is: “Egypt’s natural barriers
provided a degree of isolation, allowing the Egyptian culture to develop somewhat independently.
Unlike Egypt, Sumer was surrounded by few natural barriers, making it vulnerable to frequent
invasions and influences from other civilizations and societies.”
A good comparative essay will make more than one direct comparison and will include both
similarities and differences. Analysis of the regions or issues within the global context will also
strengthen the essay.
The following are some commonly asked questions concerning the comparative essay.
What are the most common errors on the comparative essay? One of the most common errors