Tips for CCOT Essays

I. Pre-write

CCOT Pre-Write
Region: ________________________Theme: ________________________Time Period: _________

Beginning

Change

Continuity

explanation

Analyze process of change:

Analyze process of continuity:

**

Thesis:______________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ * What is happening at the beginning of the time period as related to the topic(s) in the prompt? ** Brainstorm as many facts as you can. (No analysis here) Brainstorm change(s) occurred during the time period as related to the topic(s) in the prompt? Brainstorm facts to illustrate the change. Analyze WHY that change(s) happened. Brainstorm things that remained consistent during the time ENTIRE period as related to the topic(s) in the prompt? Brainstorm facts to illustrate the consistency. Analyze WHY the consistency remained.

II. Develop a thesis that:

1. Fully addresses the question including: A. the key terms and parameters B. the time period or periods. (A prompt may have one time period or more than one) C. the region or regions to be discussed. (A prompt may have one region or more than one region) 2. Takes a stand (categories) with regard to the question asked. Prompt 1: (one time period, one region) Explain the changes and continuities in the political role of women from 1914 to the present in Europe. Thesis for Prompt 1: The political role of women from 1914 to the present in Europe was a complicated one. Women began the time period with few political rights like the right to vote or hold office. Change occurred concerning womens rights with the ending of World War I and with the coming of Communism; both of these events sparked nations into granting women the right to vote. However, in much of Europe the right to vote has not led to a substantial increase in the number of women holding office.* Prompt 2: (more than one time period, more than one region) Discuss the changes and continuities in the economic role of women from 1750-1914 and 1914-1950 in Europe and North America. Thesis for Prompt 2: The economic role of women from 1750 to the present in Europe and North America is often dictated by men. Women from 1750-1914 were mostly involved in homemaking and as low paid industrial workers in textile mills and other factories. However, because of the World Wars, women took major roles in all areas of manufacturing because the men were at war. Women, especially in North America, took more advantage of education and began moving into management roles. The major continuity of the time period would be that women would still be in charge of the home even if they also took a job outside in the workforce. *
*Notice that a CCOT thesis is NOT short. Look at the prompt and theses below. Analyze whether theses A, B, C, and D meet the requirements of an acceptable thesis. Prompt 3: Analyze major changes and continuities in the formation of national identities in ONE of the regions listed below from 1914 to the present. Be sure to include evidence from specific countries in the region selected. Middle East, Southeast Asia, OR Sub-Saharan Africa. (An actual question from 2007 AP exam.) Thesis A: After World War I nationalism was an important factor in the growing independence movements of Sub-Saharan Africa. Changes include the desire for independence and self reliance while a continuity was artificial borders which often cut across tribal ties, creating fractured communities. ___ has key terms and parameters ___ has the time period(s) specified ___ has region(s) specified ___ takes a stand (has categories) Thesis B: From 1914 to the present, there was a growth in national identities in the region of Sub-Saharan Africa. Ghana is a key example of the growth of Negritude in the region. A continuity for discussion is that most of the region remained in a state of poverty. ___ has key terms and parameters ___ has the time period(s) specified ___ has region(s) specified ___ takes a stand (has categories) Thesis C: There were changes and continuities in SE Asia after 1914. The World Wars fueled independence movements changing most governments. Regardless of political changes, Buddhism remained a constant reminder of traditional values in the new nations. ___ has key terms and parameters ___ has the time period(s) specified ___ has region(s) specified ___ takes a stand (has categories) Thesis D: Over the last 100 years, there have been changes and continuities in the ideas of national identities in the Middle East. A key change is the secularization of the government of Turkey; while a continuity in the region is the presence of Jews and Christians. ___ has key terms and parameters ___ has the time period(s) specified ___ has region(s) specified ___ takes a stand (has categories)

III. The Body Paragraphs

Provide an organizational structure that will be used in the essay. Use this three-body-paragraph framework. Paragraph 1, the beginning: Establish the MAJOR characteristics, patterns or conditions at the beginning of the time period. Paragraph 2, the changes: Explain the changes that occurred from the beginning to the end of the period OR from the first period to the second (depending on the question). Be sure to explain (analyze) WHY these changes took place. Paragraph 3, the continuities: Explain what conditions, characteristics or patterns remained the same from the beginning of the period to the end and (analyze) WHY the stability remained.

Class Activity: Write a pre-write and a thesis for the following prompt:
Prompt: Analyze the changes and continuities in the demography of North America from 600 to 1750.

CCOT Pre-Write
Region: ____________________Theme: _____________________Time Period: ______________

Beginning

Change

Continuity

analysis/explanation

Analyze process of change:

Analyze process of continuity:

Thesis:______________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________