Tips for Taking the Exam h 47- Do I have to write a conclusion to my essay? Your essay does not need to have a
conclusion. If you have suffi cient time to meet all the criteria for the essay and write a
short conclusion, fi ne. 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 conti-
nuities 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
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 40 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 state ment 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 socie-
ties 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 infl uences from other civilizations
and societies.”
A good comparative essay will make more than one direct comparison and will
include both similarities and differences. Analy sis 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 is failure to answer the right question as a result of not reading the essay
prompt carefully. Another very common problem is failure to make at least one direct
comparison between the societies or issues addressed in the essay prompt. - Does my essay require an introduction? No. Many students waste time writing elabo-
rate introductory sentences or paragraphs to the free re sponse questions. The best approach
is to state your thesis statement, then defend it with historical details and analyses.
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