Comparative ESSAY PREP
Comparing Paleolithic & Neolithic Periods
Instructions, prompts, tips, & scoring guidelines
APWH
RHS
Mrs. Osborn
COMPARE - CONTRAST
WAL-MART vs TOM THUMB
WAL-MART
MILK
BREAD
ICE CREAM
TIRES
SHOES
TOM-THUMB
MILK
BREAD
ICE CREAM
ANALYZING VS. LISTING
Listing:
Wal-Mart sells milk, bread, ice cream, shoes, and tires. Tom
Thumb sells milk, bread, and ice cream.
Analyzing:
Wal-Mart and Tom Thumb sell many of the same products, such
as milk, bread, and ice cream. However, because Wal-Mart can
afford a larger variety of vendors and more floor space, it can
also offer shoes and tires. This larger variety of products has
attracted more customers and made Wal-Mart the leader in
American retail sales.
SIMILARITY
DIFFERENCES
SIMILAR
SIMILARLY
THE SAME AS
IN COMPARISON
COMPARATIVELY
BOTH
ALSO
COMPARABLE
COMMENSURABLE
OF THE SAME
ORDER
WORTHY OF
COMPARISON
MEASURE UP TO
MATCH UP WITH
PARALLEL
ANALOGOUS
ANALOGICAL
COLLATABLE
CORRELATIVE
LIKE
EQUAL
CORRESPONDING
IN CONTRAST
DIFFERENTLY
ON THE OTHER HAND
EVEN THOUGH
ALTHOUGH
WHEREAS
BUT
INCOMPARABLE
INCOMMENSURATE
DISSIMILAR
UNLIKE
DISTINCT
DISTINCTIVE
OPPOSE
HETERODOX
DIFFERENCE
DISTINCTION
DISSIMILARITY
VARIES
VARIATION
DIVERGENCE
DISPARITY
INEQUALITY
CONTRARY
OTHERWISE
DISTINCT
PECULARLY
Listed are words denoting
“similar” and “different.” There
are variations based on word
combinations and tenses but this
list should provide some
assistance in making directed
comparisons. Avoid comparable:
it means “can be compared.”
FAQs
• On Tuesday, 9/3, you will write your first
comparative essay in APWH!!!
• This is a diagnostic essay. What does that
mean????
• Mrs. Osborn wants to see how well you write, so
she can design a strategy tailored to your needs &
help you polish your essay-writing skills.
• Over the weekend, review your notes, PERSIAN-I
charts, & Chapter 1 in your textbook.
• Write key points you want to make on a 3x5 index
card. You may use it while writing your essay.
Writing your essay…
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ALL essays are timed writings, so prepare!
You have a choice of four prompts.
When writing your essay…
USE PAST TENSE.
NO FIRST PERSON (I, you, me, we, etc.).
This is an academic essay – use appropriate
language. (no slang, abbreviations, etcetera.)
• Careful with indefinite pronouns. “Their
system was different to that because they
replicated it with them.”
COMPARATIVE ESSAY PROMPTS
Uno - Analyze the similarities and differences of the
political structures of the Paleolithic and Neolithic
Periods.
Dos - Analyze the similarities and differences of the
economic systems of the Paleolithic and Neolithic
Periods.
Tres - Analyze the similarities and differences in how
people in the Paleolithic and Neolithic Periods
adapted to and used their environments.
Cuatro – Analyze the similarities and differences in the
social structure of the Paleolithic & Neolithic Periods.
TIPS
Thesis Paragraph – an example
Opening sentence. . .
There were many similarities and differences in TOPIC
during the Paleolithic & Neolithic Periods.
Thesis statement . . .
Both the Paleolithic & Neolithic Periods’ TOPIC had
____________, but only the Paleolithic Period had
_________.
OR, A similarity during the Paleolithic & Neolithic
Periods’ TOPIC was ______. The main differences
were that _______ and ____________.
TIPS
Body Paragraphs
 Write a TOPIC SENTENCE dang it!
 The topic sentence connects the paragraph to the
thesis statement
 (The ways India and China expanded). Both Classical
Indian and Chinese Civilizations began with military
expansion (government control).
 ANSWER THE PROMPT – continue to tie your essay
back to the prompt and your thesis (double check
your topic sentences.)
 Know where the points are scored. You will have a
scoring guideline on your desk.
Comparative Essay Scoring Rubric
1. Has an acceptable thesis
(1 point)
2. Addresses all parts of the
question. (2 points)
3. Supports thesis with
appropriate historical
evidence. (2 points)
4. Makes at least three
relevant, direct
comparisons between and
among societies. (1 point)
5. Analyzes at least two
reasons for a similarity or
difference identified in the
direct comparison.
(1 point)
6. Switching tense and/or
using pronouns (- 1 point)
ESSAY STRUCTURE
• Addresses all parts of the question. (2)
• Supports thesis with appropriate historical evidence. (2)
• Switching tense and/or using pronouns (- 1)
• Paragraph 1: Topic sentence & Thesis statement (1)
• Paragraph 2: Includes at least three relevant, direct
comparisons between and among societies. (1)
• Paragraph 3: Analyzes at least two reasons for a
similarity or difference identified in the direct
comparison. (1)
• For this essay, “Just the facts, Ma’am.” We will address
closing paragraphs & the expanded core at a later date.
MRS. OSBORN’S SCALED SCORES
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7=97
6=92
5=87
4=82
3=77
2=73
0-1=70 (only because this is a diagnostic essay)
• Writing mechanics will not play a major factor as
long as it does not cloud your argument.