Rubric Guidelines
Has an acceptable thesis
 1-2 sentences
 Clearly addresses issues/themes, regions and
dates stated in the prompt.
 Identify basic areas of similarity and difference
 Should be an analytical thesis. What does that
mean?
 Simply state why there is a similarity or
difference or and effect of a similarity or
difference.
Sample Thesis
 “Clearly addresses issues/themes, regions & dates stated
in the prompt.”
 Prompt: Analyze the similarities between the emergence of nation-states in
nineteenth-century Latin America with the emergence of nation-states in ONE
of the following regions in the twentieth century.
 Sub-Saharan Africa
 The Middle East
The emergence of nation-states in nineteenth-century Latin America was similar with
the emergence of nation-states in the Middle East in the twentieth century in that in both
areas European Empires held control of much of the territory and active resistance was
utilized to achieve independence. The emergence of nation-states in these two regions
differed in that different European countries controlled those territories, and the Middle
East progressed through a mandate stage following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire
during World War I, which allowed a number of states to emerge without the need for
active resistance.
Sample Thesis
 Should be an analytical thesis.
 Simply state why there is a similarity or
difference or and effect of a similarity or
difference.
The emergence of nation-states in nineteenth-century Latin America was
similar with the emergence of nation-states in the Middle East in the
twentieth century in that in both areas European Empires held control of
much of the territory and active resistance was utilized to achieve
independence. The emergence of nation-states in these two regions
differed in that different European countries controlled those territories,
and the Middle East progressed through a mandate stage following the
collapse of the Ottoman Empire during World War I, which allowed a
number of states to emerge without the need for active resistance.
Addresses all parts of the question
 Does not have to be evenly or thoroughly.
 Essay has to address similarities AND
differences
 Can have different numbers of similarities
and differences, HOWEVER you should
always try to have at least 2 of each.
Appropriate historical evidence
 Here is where you pull in all the specific, related
information/evidence (people, countries, wars,
programs, groups, geography, movements, policies,
events, etc.) to support and validate the similarities you
have identified.
 “Egypt, located along the Nile River in Northeast
Africa was able to carry on regional trade with the
Nubians, whose kingdom was located south of Egypt.”
 “Mesopotamia consisted of numerous city-states, such
as Uruk, Ur, Eridu and Lagash, along the Tigris and
Euphrates Rivers in southern Mesopotamia.”
Direct Comparisons
 Discuss both regions/groups together not
separately.
 “In Egypt, as in Mesopotamia…”
 “In both Egypt and Mesopotamia…”
 “Unlike Egypt, Mesopotamia…”
 “Mesopotamia differs from Egypt in that…”
 “Mesopotamia is similar to Egypt in that they
both…”
Reasons for Similarity and/or
Difference
 This is the analytical part.
 You explain the “WHY”.
 Need to clearly state as many reasons for the
similarities and differences as possible.
 “Because” and “Due to” works really well here.
 “Because Egypt and Mesopotamia were both
located along rivers, they both depended heavily
upon irrigation and river trade and travel.”
Prompt
 Compare Mesopotamia and Egypt in at least 3 aspects
of life. i.e. political, religious, social, economic,
technological, etc.
Prompt
Compare the cultural
characteristics of Greece and
Rome.