Smith 1
Olive Historie
Ms. Smith
Pre-AP WH 1st Block
9 October 2015
Unit 2 Compare & Contrast Essay: Ancient Egypt vs. Mesopotamia Tips Sheet
Prompt: Compare and contrast the river valley civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia. Were they more similar
or different overall? Make sure to give 2 similarities and 1 difference or 2 differences and 1 similarity. Then,
take an overall similar or different stance about the two civilizations. Use the PERSIA (no G) for your 3
categories of similar or different analysis.
Required Format:
*5-paragraph essay
*The whole essay should be in MLA format, go to the link for helpful info. from the OWL at Purdue website:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
Key MLA reminders for your essay:
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Double-spaced (when you turn it in-if you want to do single-spaced, then make sure you
double-space before you turn it in)
12 point, Times New Roman font
Heading (proper MLA)-on top left of your first page of the essay-not on every page!
Include last name with page numbers
I. Intro
II. Map point 1-simiarity/difference
III. Map point 2-similarity/difference
IV. Map point 3-simialirty/difference
V. Conclusion
Content:
(Remember to use P-E-R-S-I-A and pick 3 of the categories-no G!)
*Your thesis to make an argument-take a stance and list map points that support that stance and tell the
audience (reader) where you're going. It should be between 1-3 sentences, not exceeding three
sentences. Thesis and 3 map points have to include:
 At least one similarity-politically, economically, religiously, intellectually, or achievement
 At least one difference
Smith 2
 Second similarity or difference (depending on your overall argument)-if you have 2 similarities
and 1 difference then your stance will be that they are more similar overall, and if you have 2
differences and 1 similarity your stance will be that they are more different
If you are arguing they’re more similar/comparable:
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1 similarity-politically, economically, religiously, intellectually, or achievement (map point 1)
1 difference (to address the counter side of contrast) (map point 2)
1 similarity (map point 3)
OR
If you are arguing they’re more different/contrasting:
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1 difference-politically, economically, religiously, intellectually, or achievement (map point 1)
1 similarity (to address the counter side of compare) (map point 2)
1 difference (map point 3)