WHAP: AP Essays

THE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS (CA) AP ESSAY

The last type of free-response essay written for the AP World History exam is the Comparative Essay,
which asks the student to focus on changes or developments across two or more regions, cultures, or
societies. Generally, the prompt for the Comparative Essay will provide boundaries and time limits
for the student to follow, and students may be able to choose comparison cases from among several
options; beyond that, the student is free to incorporate whatever analysis and comparison s/he
wishes.
Some important things to remember:
1. You have a total of
40 minutes
in which to write this essay, at least 5 minutes of which
should be used for pre-writing.
2. These essays might include three different task words/phrases: (a) compare; (b)
contrast; and (c): compare and contrast. For the purposes of the AP exam, the task
work compare and the task phrase compare and contrast mean the same thing: for
BOTH tasks, you will discuss and analyze both similarities AND differences.
3. Regardless of which word/phrase is used, you MUST remember what the main task is: to
analyze. In order to gain full credit for the CA Essay, you MUST analyze the reasons why
the similarities and/or differences you identified exist.
Examples of Past Comparative Essay Prompts are:
1. Compare patterns and results of decolonization in Africa and India.
2. Pick two revolutions (Russian, Chinese, Cuban, Iranian) and compare their effects
on the roles of women.
3. Compare and contrast the classical empires of Roman, Han, and Gupta.
4. Compare and contrast the
decline
of the three classical empires of Roman, Han, and
Gupta.
The suggestions below are intended to give you help on the process of writing:
I. ANALYZE the question: (a) remember that both the word compare and the phrase compare
and contrast mean you must include BOTH similarities and differences; (b) identify the time limits
and phenomena required of the question; (c) identify the countries/regions being compared.
II. PRE-WRITE: (a) create a T-chart where one column is similarities and one is differences, then
brainstorm a list of similarities and differences in the specified phenomena for each of the regions
(try to identify at least two similarities and at least two differences); (b) practice writing your
thesis, be sure that your thesis specifies at least one similarity AND at least one difference in the
required phenomena and that you address both regions specified in the prompt.
III. WRITE: (a) include an introductory thesis paragraph which incorporates your pre-written
thesis; (b) use your pre-writing to organize your writing; one suggestion is to incorporate two
body paragraphs, one dealing with similarities and one with differences; (c) use at least one piece
of specific historical evidence for each similarity/difference you identified; (d) to support be sure
to make at least two
direct
comparison between the regions; and (e) make sure you analyze at
least one of the the similarities/differences.

WHAP: AP Essays

Comparative Essay Rubric

Teacher
Mark

Th

S# or
D#

E#
DC#
A#

Basic Core Expectations (

max. 7 points
)
Has an acceptable thesis

Addresses all parts of the question, though not necessarily evenly

or thoroughly [at least one S and one D]
OR
Addresses most parts of the question; for example, deals with
differences but not similarities
Substantiates thesis with at least 5 - 6 pieces of accurate historical
evidence
OR
Partially substantiates thesis with at least 4 - 5 pieces of accurate
historical evidence
Makes at least TWO relevant, direct comparison between/among
societies that is explicit and relevant

Analyzes at least one reason for a similarity or difference

identified in a direct comparison
Extended Core Expectations (
max. 2 pts
)

You must include

multiple
extended core expectations to earn even one
additional point.

Th+

Has a clear, analytical, and comprehensive thesis

GC

Addresses all parts of the question thoroughly (as relevant):

comparisons, chronology, causation, connections, themes,
interactions, content
Provides ample (8+ examples) historical evidence to
substantiate thesis
Relates comparisons to larger global context

DC+
A+

Pts

time frame/theme/region of the question)

= vague information (clear that the essay

understands the prompt, but commentary
not specific enough to count as evidence)

Scale/Grade Conversion
6
= 80
5+
= 75
5
= 70
4
= 60
3
= 50
2
= 40
1
= 30

9+
= 100
9
= 98
8+
= 96
8
= 94
7+
= 92
7
= 90
6+
= 85

TOTALS:

O/S
= out of scope (material is outside of the

Consistently
makes several direct comparisons consistently
between or among societies
Consistently
analyzes the causes and effects of relevant
similarities and differences

Additional Grading Marks

0
= 20
--
= 10