Please review Guide to Organizing and Writing a FANTASTIC FRQ Essay!!!
(Updated link is on the website under 12/16 information).
Below is the adjusted FRQ explanation for compare-contrast topics!
Topic: Compare and Contrast the extent of and reactions to absolutist policies in
Russia and in England during the 17th century.
Regular Topic: Opening Paragraph
Compare and Contrast Topic: Opening Paragraph
-
Introductory Sentences (what, where, who,
when + transitional sentence(s) (restatement of
the question)
-
Introductory Sentences (what, where, who,
when + transitional sentence(s) (restatement of
the question)
-
THESIS STATEMENT (three + main ideas that
clearly, directly, and fully address the topic
argumentatively.
-
THESIS STATEMENT (two + main ideas that
clearly, directly, and fully address the topic
argumentatively. Thesis statement MUST
INCLUDE at least ONE SIMILARITY (comparison)
and ONE DIFFERENCE!)
Regular Topic: Body Paragraph: (3+)
-
TOPIC SENTENCE (TS): Clear and direct argument
that addresses one of the aspects of the topic.
First previewed in your thesis.
-
CONCRETE DETAILS (CDs): Specific and relevant
examples that illustrate /support the argument
expressed in the topic sentence (specific =
names, countries, terms, developments,
statistics, etc.)
-
COMMENTARY (Analysis): Explain significance of
or consequences of the argument stated in the
topic sentence.
Compare and Contrast Topic: Body Paragraph (2+)
-
TOPIC SENTENCE (TS): Clear and direct argument
that addresses either a similarity or a difference.
First previewed in your thesis. Must mention
both sides (societies/countries, etc.)
-
CONCRETE DETAILS (CDs): Specific and relevant
example from country 1 (side 1) followed by
concrete and relevant example from country 2
(side 2). Repeat for as many relevant examples
as you can.
-
COMMENTARY (Analysis): Explain the reason(s)
for either a similarity or a difference stated in
the topic sentence.
Regular Topic: Conclusion
-
Restatement of your main ideas and, when
applicable, connection to larger global processes
and/or reflection on the topic’s relevancy to
current day events
Compare and Contrast Topic: Conclusion
-
Restatement of your main ideas and, when
applicable, connection to larger global processes
and/or reflection on the topic’s relevancy to
current day events
Planning Process ( Should take about 5-10 min)
Topic: Compare and Contrast the extent of and reactions to absolutist policies in
Russia and in England during the 17th century.
Similarities: (Russia vs. England)

Nationwide/thorough push from
absolutist rulers (Charles I – ship
tax / didn’t call the Parliament for
more than a decade; Peter the
Great – increased taxes on
peasants to fund his
westernization reforms; religion’s
subordination to the state –
Charles I – Anglican book of
common prayer; Peter the Great –
The Holy Synod/procurator)
Differences: (Russia)


Compliance from
lower/upper classes in
Russia (Westernizers vs.
Slavophiles; Boyars
accepted most of Peter’s
reforms; mercanitilism,
peasant labor – serfdom +
St.Petersburg)
Continuation of
absolutism in Russia
(Peter-unchallenged / died
naturally; Russia – buy in
from upper classes +
international prestige!)
Differences: (England)


Open revolt against the
king (Puritans,
Presbytarians,
Parliament);
establishment of the
Commonwealth for a
brief period of time
Establishment of strong
constitutional monarchy
in England (William and
Mary and the Bill of
Rights; The Toleration
Act)
Opening Paragraph:
Political developments within and between European states in the seventeenth century are closely
associated with the concept of divine-right monarchy and absolutism. Attempts to solidify the exercise
of the sovereign power by a king solicited a range of responses in major European countries. Two
notable countries that experienced the imposition of absolutist policies in the seventeenth century were
Russia and England. In each country, the reaction to the implementation of the “ultimate authority” by a
sovereign solicited different replies. The rulers in Russia as well as England engaged in a sustained and
thorough effort to assert total control over their respective territories and potential political rivals.
These efforts affected all social classes within each society. However, while absolutist policies of the
Russian czar largely met their objectives and laid the foundation for the strong absolutist state, the
English society openly rejected the consolidation of power in the hands of one ruler and established a
limited form of monarchy that rejected the “divine right” claim. (Underline part = thesis = 3 main
ideas)
First Body Paragraph:
Absolutist policies in Russia as well as in England were imposed in an
unrelenting manner by the rulers of each country, and, because of that,
the impact of these policies was far-reaching and socially
comprehensive.
In Russia, Peter the Great’s attempts to “westernize” or modernize
his army and establish a navy prompted him to raise taxes on the
peasants. In addition, Peter’s reforms included changes in professional
responsibilities and even personal appearance of upper class men and
women. More specifically, Peter mandated all members of the
landholding class to serve in government agencies. Similarly, Charles I
of England attempted to collect taxes outside of “accepted” channels.
In particular, to compensate for government expenses and rising costs
of defending his realm, the English monarch extended the ship money
tax to all regions in England. Both monarchs also tried to expend their
authority in the matters of religion. Peter the Great created the Holy
Synod, an institution that would make decisions for the church and
headed by a procurator, the tsar’s representative. Charles I also hoped
to centralize the state’s control over church matters by introducing the
Anglican Book of Common Prayer.
The rulers of England and Russia actively engaged in promoting
absolutist policies because they believed in the divine-right concept of
sovereignty. As “God’s appointed” rulers, their vision for their
countries required complete subordination and obedience to the will of
the monarch by all members of their respective societies.
 topic sentence:
*Clearly previews one main idea from
the thesis. (in this case – SIMILARITY)
*Includes both societies.
 concrete evidence:
*Specific and multiple examples for
each country!
*Use of transitional words/phrases to
make the paragraph “flow.”
 commentary/analysis
*Offers explanation for the
similarity/difference mentioned in
the topic sentence.
Second Body Paragraph:
While in Russia, absolutist policies were grudgingly accepted and
followed by the populace, England’s response to absolutism resulted in
a civil war.
Some members of the Russian nobility, boyars, and commercial as
well as middle classes embraced Peter’s reforms because they saw
opportunities for government promotion or increase their personal
wealth. More specifically, nobles and nonnobles had a chance to
advance through the military and civil Table of Ranks. Also, many
landowners in Russia were protective of their property rights and went
along with Peter’s reforms because the burden of taxation fell on the
peasants who were, by that time, their serfs. In addition, Peter’s
mercantilistic policies, such as encouragement of domestic industries,
like iron exploration in the Urals, enriched some upper classes in Russia.
In England, on the other hand, Charles’ imposition of taxes and rule
without the consent of the Parliament prompted an open rebellion.
The ship money tax, mentioned previously, angered middle-class
merchants as well as members of the gentry class. Overall, antimonarchist forces were fueled by religious zeal of the Puritans as well
as the upper-class grievances associated with Charles’ disregard of the
traditional arrangement of power-sharing in England.
The difference in the way absolutist policies were received in Russia
and England can be attributed to the historic legacy of political
institutions in each society. England had a power-sharing arrangement
between the elites and the ruler since the signing of Magna Carta in
1215. No such history between the ruling family and the landowning
elites existed in Russia.
Third Body Paragraph: NOW YOU TRY!!!
 topic sentence:
*Clearly previews one main idea from
the thesis. (In this case – DIFFERENCE)
*Includes both societies.
 concrete evidence:
*Specific and multiple examples for
each country!
*Use of transitional words/phrases to
make the paragraph “flow.”
 commentary/analysis
*Offers explanation for the
similarity/difference mentioned in
the topic sentence.