Welcome to AP World History

Transcription

1 Welcome to AP World History You signed up for AP World History next year through the course choice sheet. AP (Advanced Placement) is a program that prepares high school students to be successful in college and provides them with an opportunity to earn college credit through examination. Since the AP Exam is an exam for college credit, the work in the class will be at college level even though you are a high school sophomore. This means that there is much more work than in a regular high school class and that work will be more difficult. Just like in college, there is a considerable amount of reading and writing required. You will have pages to read every night and a quiz over that reading every day. If you are ready for this challenge then I will see your Essay #1 before the start of the next school year and will see you the first day of school. If, however, you feel you aren't up to this challenge or you can't commit to this workload then you need to see your counselor before the end of this school year and get changed to a regular World History class. *************************************************************** You are required to write a comparison essay (Essay #1- Ancient Civilizations) over the summer and turn it in (by or by hand) two weeks before the first day of school. If you have any questions about the essay you are to write, ask Mr Cyr online at tcyr@houstonisd.org Refer to the other items included in this envelope for information about this essay. All the information is also online at Click on Academics then on Summer Assignments then on Cyr. *************************************************************** For this class, you are required to buy the following items before the start of school and show up the first day of school with all these items: 2" binder (it can be any color) 8 dividers blue or black ink pens

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3 Essay #1 (Ancient Civilizations) In an essay, answer the following question. Compare the government, the society, and the culture of the following two ancient civilizations- Mesopotamia & Egypt. 1. You essay must meet the following requirements: a. Essay must be typed. b. Use 1" margins. Change them to 1" from the standard MS Word 1 1/4" margins c. Use Times New Roman 12 point font. d. Double space the sentences. However, don't put any additional space between paragraphs. e. Have a cover page (Title & Student Name will suffice). 2. Use the provided Guide to Writing the Summer Essay to help you write the essay. 3. Use only the provided Essay #1 Textbook in writing the essay. Since you are to use no other sources, no bibliography is needed. Don't plagiarize (copy word for word). Don't download an essay from the internet. Previous students who have done that received a Your essay will be graded using the Essay #1 (Ancient Civilizations) Rubric. Check your work against the rubric to make sure you have done everything that is required. *************************************************************** The essay is due on or by Monday, 10 Aug 2015 This is two weeks before the start of school You can either the essay as an attachment to tcyr@houstonisd.org or come by Jones High School that day and drop off the essay with Ms Vidock in the principal's office. The summer essay can be ed before that date (in fact, if you know you won't have access to the internet you must it earlier). If you it to me, I will reply confirming that I have your essay and that I can open and read it. If I don't send this confirmation, I didn't get your . If I tell you I can't open or read your attached essay- I will allow you to drop off the essay on Tuesday, 11 Aug Other than for that reason, late essays will not be accepted. This essay will be graded by the time you return at school. There will be no re-dos. The essay is approximately 15% of your 1st Six Weeks grade. If you aren't going to do the work, why are you taking the class? Talk to your counselor about changing to regular. If you have any questions about this essay over the summer or you want someone to check your draft, you can contact the AP World History teacher- Mr Cyrat tcyr@houstonisd.org over the summer (July & August)

4 Essay #1 (Ancient Civs) Rubric Name Question: Compare the government, the society, and the culture of the following two ancient civilizations- Mesopotamia & Egypt. 1) Has acceptable thesis 1 point Thesis must be explicit. The thesis identify both a specific similarity and a specific difference between the two civilizations. The similarity and difference can be either in government, society, and/or culture. 2) Addresses all parts of the question, though not necessarily evenly or thoroughly 2 points Addresses most parts of the question 1 point Two points requires that students address both a similarity and a difference and address all three areas of comparison- government, society, and culture One point requires that students address either a similarity or a difference and address all three areas- government, society, and culture 3) Substantiates thesis with appropriate historical evidence 2 points Partially substantiates thesis with appropriate historical evidence 1 point Two points: Minimum of EIGHT accurate and relevant examples One point: Minimum of FOUR accurate and relevant examples 4) Makes at least one direct, relevant comparison between both civilizations 1 point {must be a different comparison from the ones used to for #2} 5) Analyzes at least one reason for the similarity or difference identified 1 point in a direct comparison (explain why it occurs) A student must earn 7 points in the above basic core before earning points 0-2 points in the expanded core below - The essay has a clear, analytical, and comprehensive thesis - The essay thoroughly addresses all parts of the question - The essay provides more than 6 examples of historical evidence to substantiate thesis - The student demonstrates the ability to relate comparisons to larger global context - The essay makes several direct comparisons consistently between or among societies - The essay consistently analyzes the causes and effects of relevant similarities and differences The number of points earned on the essay will equate to the following numeric grade: 9 = 100, 8 = 95, 7 = 90, 6 = 85, 5 = 80, 4 = 75, 3 = 70, 2 = 60, 1 = 50, 0 = 0

5 Guide to Writing the Summer Essay I. The AP Exam The AP (Advanced Placement) exam for World History consists of two parts- answering 70 multiple choice questions in 55 minutes and writing 3 essays (a Document Based Question essay, a Change & Continuity Over Time essay, and a Comparison essay) in 2 hours and 10 minutes. Each part is 50% of the overall score. The comparison question asks what is the same and what is different between two regions or civilizations in one of the five major themes. Comparison questions always require an analysis of the reasons for the identified similarities and differences. II. An Essay Successful essays are a group of paragraphs that work together to make an argument. An essay contains an introductory paragraph (which contains the thesis statement), supporting paragraphs (that develop the thesis), and a concluding paragraph. The thesis statement in the introductory paragraph is a major part of a successful essay. If you have time to prepare a good introduction, or something creative comes to mind, use it. Your introduction may also include definitions/explanations of key terms in the question. Above all, an effective thesis answers the question that was asked. Sometimes the thesis will provide the organizational categories that will be used in the essay. Supporting paragraphs include the information necessary to support a thesis. These paragraphs will vary in length, number, and complexity. Each supporting paragraph contains a topic sentence that connects back to the thesis. The topic sentence is followed by factual support/historical evidence (usually from three to five supporting examples are needed to develop the topic)- logically organized evidence with commentary or explanation that supports the thesis- and then analysis. A conclusion should reinforce the significance of the evidence presented in the essay to the question asked. It reinforces the thesis and answers the "so what?" However, for the purposes of APWH, your conclusions will serve a different purpose. III. Steps in Writing a Comparison Essay Step 1. Analyze the Question (also called the prompt) A. Carefully determine the task. What is it you are being asked to do? In a comparison essay, you are being asked to "compare" or "compare and contrast." What this means is that you are always directed to find both similarities and differences between the two things to be compared. B. What are the boundaries of the task? dates, places, persons, ideas, etc For this essay, you are limit yourself to comparing Mesopotamia (Sumerians thru Babylonians from 3500 to 900 BCE) with Egypt (Old thru New Kingdoms from 3100 to 1085 BCE) 1

6 C. Identify and define any key terms in the question For this essay, the key terms are government, society, and culture Step 2. Get Organized A. In a timed setting, jot down what you know about the topic. For this essay, you need to read the textbook (information about Mesopotamia is in the left column, Egypt in the right column). Identify information about each civilization's government, society, and culture. Look at page 5 (Categories of Comparison). Then compare the information on Mesopotamia with that on Egypt- looking for similarities and differences between them. B. Take the time to organize your thoughts. In a timed setting, most students just want to jump in and start writing. But use 5 minutes to organize/outline your answer. Use a list, a graphic organizer/thinking map, or chart. C. What are you using for organizational categories/categories of comparison? For this essay, your organizational categories/categories of comparison are government/politics, society and culture Step 3. Write a Thesis A. The thesis will be in your introductory paragraph. Your thesis must answer the question. Therefore, the thesis must state at least one similarity and at least one difference between the two civilizations being compared. For this essay's thesis, you just need to identify one specific similarity- it can be in government, society, or culture- that Mesopotamia and Egypt have and one specific difference- it can be in government, society, or culture- between Mesopotamia and Egypt B. Use three sentences to write your thesis 1. First sentence- restate the entire question- reuse their words 2. Second sentence- state a specific similarity 3. Third sentence- state a specific difference C. Avoid the following comparisons in both your thesis and body paragraphs Don t say Mesopotamia and Egypt are similar because they were both ancient civilizations. Really? Too obvious since that is the title of the essay. Don't say "Mesopotamia and the Egypt are similar politically, but different culturally." That is too vague. It is not specific enough. You have just stated categories of comparisons Don t say Mesopotamia and Egypt are similar because they are both in the Middle East. Geography is never a relevant category for historical comparison. Don t say Egypt had pyramids and Mesopotamia didn t. Just refuting or rebutting something is a non-comparison. Don t say Mesopotamia invented the wheel, while Egypt invented mummification What do they have to do with each other? This is a non-direct comparison. 2

7 D. Two examples of better comparisons are "Mexico and the U.S. are similar politically because they are both democracies (rule by the people). But they are different culturally because Mexico has a Latin culture (Spanish and Catholic), while the U.S. has a Anglo culture (English and Protestant)." "Buddhism and Christianity are similar because they both require their followers to be good. However, Buddhism and Christianity are different because Buddhists believe they have multiple lives, while Christians believe they have only one life." E. Define any terms as necessary. Step 4. Write the first Body or Supporting Paragraph A. Make sure the reader can tell where your paragraphs begin and end by indenting the first sentence of each new paragraph. B. Begin with a topic sentence!!! The topic sentence must be connected to the thesis (it is usually a restatement of part of your thesis). In a comparison essay, the topic sentence is either a similarity or a difference that answers the question. C. Your following sentences must support for your topic sentence with appropriate historical evidence. Use historical facts to back up the argument you're making. For example, The cities of Houston and Dallas are similar in providing sporting events and entertainment for their residents (this is the topic sentence). Both Houston and Dallas have professional football teams (Texans & Cowboys). Both Houston and Dallas have professional baseball teams (Astros & Rangers). Both Houston and Dallas have professional basketball teams (Rockets & Mavericks). Both Houston and Dallas have professional soccer teams (Dynamo & FC Dallas) (these are the supporting sentences/historical evidence backing up the topic sentence). D. Finally, explain why they two things being compared are similar or why they are different. The reason why both Houston and Dallas provide sporting events and entertainment is that these events attract business and bring in money, contributing to the economic prosperity of the city (this is the analysis) Step 5. Write the second Body or Supporting Paragraph Step 6. Write the third Body or Supporting Paragraph A. Write one body paragraph for each category of comparison (major idea or specific arguments you wish to make). The number of body paragraphs you have will depend on the question. For this essay, you will have three (3) body paragraphs- one addressing government/politics, another talking about society (class & gender), and a third dealing with culture (religion & the arts) B. Do the same thing in these body paragraphs that you did in the first body paragraph. Step 7. Write a Conclusion A. Write a concluding paragraph. In the conclusion, you should rewrite the thesis. Don't copy it word for word from the intro. Now that you have written the entire essay, you should be able to improve on the thesis you wrote previously.

8 Step 8. Re-read Essay A. Read back over your essay. Did you answer the question you were asked? Do you have sufficient supports? Does it make sense as written? Make corrections as necessary. IV. General Tips for Essay Writing 1. Use the vocabulary of world history, but do not overdo it or use words with definitions you are not sure of. Define your terms as you use them. 2. The most common words in a comparison essay are: Similar/similarly/similarity, both, likewise, alike, in the same way, as well as Differ/different/difference, unlike, but, yet, however, in contrast, on the other hand, on the contrary 3. Write simply (KISS- keep it simple, student). Be concise- avoid the use of several words when one word will do. Stay on point. Above all, be clear- be clear- be clear!!! 4. Write neatly and clearly. If your cursive is difficult to read, print. Although, this essay must be typed 5. DON T USE "I." Do not include your opinions, thoughts, and feelings. Don t judge them- what they did wasn t good or bad- it just was. 6. AVOID PRONOUNS- particularly it, they, them, their/theirs, this, these, that, & those. Do not use those pronouns as I am not able to tell who or what you are talking about. 4

9 Categories of Comparison SOCIETY This category includes issues pertaining to people in groups, including: the family and social class. It also examines issues that tend to divide societies such as: race, gender, religion, social class, ethnicity and nationality, laws, literacy, and education. What was the social structure- what were the social classes? What was the basis of the social structure- why were those classes on top? and why were those classes on the bottom? Was there any mobility between classes (could you move up or down in social class)? What were the roles and powers of each social class? How were different groups (women, children, foreigners, slaves) treated in the society? What was the function of the family? What were the roles and powers of family members? POLITICS / GOVERNMENT This category includes government issues; the kinds of rulers; those ruled; the legal and judicial system and the process of making laws; how power is gained, maintained, & lost. What type of government did they have (rule by one, a few, or the many)? Who had power? How did the leaders get power? How did the leaders keep their power? How much power did leaders have? How much power did others (individuals or groups) have? How did leaders exercise power? Who helped leaders exercise power (nature of bureaucracy)? How were leaders changed? What were the ideological foundations of government? What was the relationship between the government and the society, economy, and/or culture? CULTURE This category includes religious, moral, and ethical issues answering the basic questions: What makes the good person, the good life, the good society? (and what is the bad). This category includes thinkers, ideas, and the teaching and learning of these ideas. This category deals with the expression of a community's belief system or beliefs, values, and culture in general. What were the dominant religious and philosophical systems? What was the role of religion and religious figures? How did religion impact daily life? What was the relationship between the religious system and those in power? How did the culture support social and gender hierarchies? How interested or tolerant were people of foreign cultures, ideas, and religions? What did people in this society value? What were the dominant artistic and literary styles? ECONOMICS This category includes economic issues; the impact of scarce natural, human, capital, and technological resources and the decisions made regarding their use; trade (local, national, international); types of economic systems. What kind of economic system did they have? What type of labor system (slavery, serfdom, wage labor, etc)? What was the role, level, and impact of internal and external trade? What was the role of merchants in the economy? What was the role of agriculture? What was the role of manufacturing or crafts? What was the level of technology? Tools and/or Inventions? What were the gender divisions in the economy? 5