Comparative Essay Writing 101

How to write a comparative essay for the AP World History Exam.

WALMART KROGERMilk MilkBread BreadIce Cream Ice Cream

TiredShoes

Compare – Contrast Wal-Mart v. Kroger

Listing: Wal-Mart sells milk, bread, ice cream,

shoes, and tires. Kroger sells milk, bread, and ice cream.

Analyzing: Wal-Mart and Kroger 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.

Analyzing v. Listing

ALL essays are timed writings, so prepare!

When writing your essay remember… ALWAYS use past tense! This is an academic essay – use

appropriate language (no slang, abbreviations, etcetera).

Do not use the pronouns “I,” you,” or “me.”

Be careful with indefinite pronouns. “Their system was different to that because they replicated it with them.”

Writing Your Essay…

Opening sentence… There are many similarities between Wal-Mart

and Kroger. Thesis Statement…

Both Wal-Mart and Kroger sell bread, milk, and ice cream, but only Wal-Mart sells tires and shoes. Because Wal-Mart offers more variety of products and competitive prices, Wal-Mart leads the two companies in American sales.

TIPSThesis Paragraph – An example

Write a topic sentence for each paragraph! The topic sentence connects the paragraph to the

thesis statement. The way 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.

TIPSBody Paragraphs

BASIC CORE (Shows competence)Points

 Has an acceptable thesis. Addresses comparisons of the issues and themes specified. 

 1

 Addresses all parts of the question, though not necessarily evenly or thoroughly.

 2

   

 Substantiates the thesis with appropriate evidence.

 2   

 Makes at least two relevant, direct comparisons between or among societies. 

 1  

 Analyzes at least two reasons for a similarity or difference identified in a direct comparison. 

 1

Rubric

By far the longest period of human history involved the Paleolithic Age and the Neolithic Age. Almost everything that we know of these first humans comes to us from archeological evidence. By examining their bones and the remains of their campsites, we get clues about how they lived. In a well-constructed concise response, compare these two ages including their political structures, the economic systems, and social structures.

Essay Prompt

Complete the Comparative Essay outline BEFORE class ends.

I will have you pass these up prior to the bell ringing.

Assignment