Change & Continuities Over Time Essay
Journal # 1
AP World History
Instructions: Create a timeline with at least 6 major
events in your life beginning with your birthday to the
present.
What has remained constant for your entire life?
The Change-Over-Time Essay
 1 of 3 essay questions on exam
 16.7 % of exam
 The Continuity and Change Over Time (CCOT) essay question
tests the student’s ability to trace a broad trend or development
over a long period of time
 Topics may include cultural interchange, global trade, the
movement and migration of peoples, the role of minorities in a
given society, the status of women, environmental issues,
biological developments, changes in technology, artistic and
cultural attitudes, and scientific innovations
 Writing time: 40 minutes
Change Over Time Essay Rubric
BASIC CORE
EXPANDED CORE
Points
1) Has acceptable thesis. (Addresses the global issues and the time
period specified.)
1
2) Addresses all parts of the question (though not necessarily evenly
or thoroughly)
2
 Addresses most parts of the question
(1)
2
3) Substantiates thesis with appropriate historical evidence
 Partially substantiates thesis with appropriate historical evidence
4) Uses relevant world historical context effectively to explain
change over time and/or continuity.
5) Analyzes the process of change over time and/or continuity.
Subtotal
Points
Expands beyond basic core of 1 to 7 points. A student must earn 7 points in the
basic core area before earning points in the expanded core area.
Examples:
Has a clear, analytical, and comprehensive thesis.
Addresses all issues of the question (as relevant): global context, chronology,
causation, change, continuity, effects, content.
Addresses all parts of the question evenly.
Provides ample historical evidence to substantiate the thesis.
Provides links with relevant ideas, events, and trends in an innovative way.
0-2
(1)
1
1
7
Subtotal
2
TOTAL
9
Things to consider before writing
 What were things like at the beginning of the assigned





period?
What changed?
How and why did it change?
What were things like at the end of the assigned
period?
What differences did those changes make?
What remained the same?
The Change-Over-Time Essay
Intro paragraph
 DEFINE the topic at the starting point:
In the first few sentences, describe the beginning point of the
topic under analysis.
 Include your thesis
- Make sure that your thesis responds directly to the
prompt and includes both CHANGE and CONTINUITY.
- Make sure your thesis answers the question and attempts
to prove something.
 Mention time periods.
2012 Prompt
 Analyze continuities and change in patterns of
interaction along the Silk Road from 200 B.C.E. to 1450
C.E.
Example of a good thesis( 1 pt)
 “While goods traded and nations and people involved
changed over time, the continuous flow of new
technology, religions, customs, ideas and occasional
plague never abated.”
More On Analysis ( 1 pt)
Tell Why
·
Analyze the changes over time and the continuities
·
Analysis means asking and answering why the changes and continuities
occurred.
·
Analysis works best when it is integrated into the body paragraphs.
·
Your essay should include the word because. “This is significant
because…This changed over time because…
Example of analysis
 “The introduction of paper along the Silk Roads
allowed governments to keep more detailed records
and enhance their power.”
Continuities and Conclusion ( 2
pts)
• Continuities need to be relevant. If the essay prompt
asked you to discuss economic aspects, the continuity
should relate to economics.
•Continuities need to be across time periods.
•Include more than one continuity (in case one is incorrect)
• The conclusion should NOT be the same as the
introductory paragraph. Your conclusion is a summary of
the main points that you made in your essay.
Words to express change/continuity:
Change
Modify
Evolves
Flux
Adapt
Turning point
Varies
Continuity
After
Emerged
Differed
Reform
Transform
Shifted
Still
Constant
Remained
Stable
Secure
Consistent
Carried over
Maintained
Throughout
Continued
Status Quo
Invariable
The whole time
Global Context
In other words, what else is happening in the world?
The global context point can be earned by effectively showing:
·
Comparisons to other regions
·
Connection to global processes
·
Interaction among regions
A simple statement is all that is required to earn this point.
· Ex: Mongol women, like European women, did not bind their feet as the
Chinese women did.
Tips For Success
Average
Excellent
“China and Brazil both had Jesuit
missionaries”
“European Jesuit Missionaries were
proselytizing in South America and
winning converts. This happened in
China as well.”
Excellent because it draws an extra
regional because the term Jesuits
provides a specific reference showing
how European practices affected South
American beliefs
Tips For Success
Make a historical analysis that explains the reason for
the impact of a specific continuity or change
Average
Excellent
“Nationalism grew in Africa in the
late 20th century”
“Nationalism grew in Africa, which
led to the overthrow of European
empires”
CCOT Video
 This video shows economic and political changes and
continuities in South Asia
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtAANkgqih4
Analyze the cultural and political changes and
continuities in One of the following civilizations
during the last centuries of the classical era
Chinese, 100 ce to 600 ce
Roman, 100 ce to 600 ce
Indian, 100 ce to 600 ce