AP Free Response Question: Compare and Contrast
(Suggested Planning and Writing Time on the AP World history test: 40 minutes)
Kublai Khan
For this exercise:
 You will have class time and homework time to plan the essay.
 You will have 30 minutes of actual class time on the day of your test to write
the essay itself.
Directions: You are to answer the following question. Write an essay that:
 Has a relevant thesis and supports that thesis with appropriate historical evidence.
 Addresses all parts of the question. (Make sure you compare as well as contrast the two
cultures. In this case, you are discussing POLITICAL and ECONOMIC effects.)
 Makes direct relevant comparisons and contrasts.
 Analyzes at least two reasons for each similarity or difference identified in a direct
comparison.
Essay Prompt: Compare and contrast the political and economic effects of Mongol
rule during the Post Classical Era on two of the following regions:
a) China
b) Middle East
c) Russia (Kievan Rus)
PLANNING
Step 1: Research the political and economic effects of Mongol rule on all three of the
regions above.
Step 2: Fill out the POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC chart attached to this assignment.
It will be turned in for a grade.
Step 3: Choose the two regions you want to compare and contrast and complete two
square Venn Diagrams.
Venn Diagram 1 – POLITICAL comparison and contrast for the two regions.
Venn Diagram 2 – ECONOMIC comparison and contrast for the two regions.
Step 4: Outline your paper. You need five paragraphs. Use the outline form attached
to this assignment.
Step 5: Write your thesis statement. Be sure to include both comparison and contrast
of the two regions in your thesis statement sentence.
Step 6: Write the introductory paragraph.
Step 7: Write the 5 paragraph essay.
NAME: ______________________________________________________ PERIOD: _______ DATE: ________________
CHART: COMPARE & CONTRAST TWO CIVILIZATIONS
COMPARISON REGION/EVENT: __________________________ ___________________________
COMPARISON THEMES : POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC
THESIS
China
Middle East
Russia
Key
Similarities and
Differences
Analyze one reason why
each theme is
similar/different
1st
Theme
P
O
L
I
T
I
C
A
L
2nd
Theme
E
C
O
N
O
M
I
C
CONCLUSION
POLITICAL VENN DIAGRAM
REGION 1_____________________________________
REGION 2_____________________________________
ECONOMIC VENN DIAGRAM
REGION 1_____________________________________
REGION 2_____________________________________
Essay Outline: Write this on your own paper.
Paragraph One – Five sentences.
Write the Thesis Statement Here:
Sentences 2-4:
Explain which two regions you will compare and contrast.
Explain how you will compare and contrast them.
Discuss the basic POLITICAL and ECONOMIC comparisons and differences.
Sentence 5: Summarize the entire paragraph
Paragraph 2: Compare and contrast the POLITICAL aspect of the two regions.
Make a list below of three ways the MONGOLS ran the POLITICAL aspects of each region.
Make a list below of three ways each region differed POLITICALLY when the MONGOLS
controlled them.
Paragraph 3: Compare and contrast the ECONOMIC aspect of the two regions.
Make a list below of three ways the MONGOLS ran the ECONOMIC aspects of each region.
Make a list below of three ways each region differed ECONOMICALLY and with trade when
the MONGOLS controlled them.
Paragraph 4: Reasons for Similarities and Differences. Write explanations into your
paper.
1. Choose one of the similarities you found: Explain why this similarity should occur.
2. Choose another of the similarities you found: Explain why this similarity should occur.
3. Choose one of the differences you found: Explain why this difference should occur.
4. Choose another of the differences you found: Explain why this difference should occur.
Paragraph 5: Conclusion
Sum up your essay in the space below.
.