Essay Writing for AP World History

1. Essay Writing for AP World History Essay format for all essays Essay #1: The Comparison Essay

2. Essay prompt Analyze the political and religious similarities and differences between the early civilizations of Mesopotamia and the Egyptian civilization before 600 BCE.

3. Make a plan • Mesopotamia • Political • ? • ? • Religious • ? • ? • Egypt • Political • ? • ? • Religious • ? • ?

4. Thesis Statement • REMEMBER—this is one of the most important sentences in the essay • An acceptable thesis will earn you 1 point—out of 9 points for the entire comparison essay • It should answer the question—which civilizations compared, time period, and themes addressed • It should follow the order of the essay (political and religious ?) • It should be specific and take a stand • It may be more than one sentence

5. thesis Religion is similar because both civilizations are polytheistic, but different by the civilizations point of view towards the after life. The political aspects are similar because both civilizations were absolute monarchies, but the two are different because one civilization had a law code and one did not.

6. Their religious practices were very close to each other. Their political ideas were also very similar to one another. Though these two groups of civilizations were based on the same economy, in politics and religion they were quite different. Both civilizations were very dead set on polytheism and absolute monarchy Political and religion of these groups relate to each other.

7. Introductory Paragraph Should be three-four sentences long Should end with an effective thesis statement

8. Topic Sentence • The first sentence of body paragraph #1 • This sentence may be more general—since you have specifics in the thesis • It should mention what theme the body paragraph is about following the order you mentioned in the thesis (political ?)

9. A peer example of a body paragraph Through religion the two civilization are similar through polytheism and are different by their point of view of the afterlife. In early Mesopotamia and Egypt the civilizations were both polytheistic. Examples of polytheism are gods like Ra the god of the sun or gods of nature like wind or water. The most likly reason these civilizations were polytheistic is because of the crops. The reason for this is because the civilizations would pray to the river god for no bad floods or the sun god for sun light. One difference between the two civilization is the point of views of the after life. In Mesopotamia they believed the afterlife was a horrible place, however in Egypt they believed that the afterlife was an extention of one’s own life. The reason for this may be because in Egypt the life was not as harsh as a life in Mesopotamia.

10. General Assertions • Should address ONE comparison only • Polytheism —similar • Should be very general—you should not have any detail here

11. Supporting evidence • Each general assertion is supported with relevant, accurate, and specific supporting evidence • Check your supporting evidence and make sure it is accurate • You should describe both civilizations with specific details

12. Analysis • For each general assertion and supporting evidence you must have analysis • Analysis should focus on cause (why were they similar or different) • Explain thoughtfully, clearly and logically

13. Concluding sentence • Sums up this paragraph • should not introduce a new idea • should not just restate the topic sentence • Should NOT identify the next paragraph • Continue to body paragraph #2

14. Concluding Paragraph Should re-emphasize the main idea of the essay without restating the thesis word for word It should not include or introduce any new information Should be three to four sentences