Your Assignment Is to Write an Essay in Which You Compare Developments the Islamic World

ASSIGNMENT

Your assignment is to write an essay in which you compare developments the Islamic world (Ch 14) to those in post-classical China (Ch 15) from 600 - 1450.

ESSAY GUIDE

1. Start with the introduction.Give an overarching statement about the post-classical world. Think about the characteristics that make this period (600-1450) different from the classical era. You can review the reading on pages 314 and 315 for a broad overview. Basically, start by telling me what major issues mark this time period. Give me about one or two sentences that tells me the major developments in the areas you are writing about. (e.g., China had been ruled by regional kingdoms after the fall of the Han, and the Byzantine Empire continued to thrive in Eastern Europe.)

Conclude the introduction with a THESIS STATEMENT!! Remember to be specific enough so that I know what you are comparing, but not so specific that you mention every single item of comparison.

NOT A GOOD THESIS: While the empires and religions of China and the Islamic world were different in several ways, the two societies had some similarities.

The above statement does not give specifics. This is like saying they had many things in common but some differences as well. This will not cut it. Instead, take my thesis assistant below and make it fit your essay. Use this only if you get stuck.

THESIS ASSISTANT: Both Islamic and Chinese societies during the post-classical era had/developed ______and ______, but differed in that China ______while the Islamic Caliphates ______.

2. Essay Body Structure:There are different options for comparison essays. Choose one. You can write one body paragraph for political similarities and differences, one on economic similarities and differences, and one on social or cultural similarities and differences. You may choose to write one paragraph on political, economic and social/cultural similarities, and one on the differences. This is up to you, there is no correct way to do this.

3. Conclusion Paragraph.Start by restating the thesis. Rewrite it in a different way that you originally wrote it. Then, use this paragraph to make connections between the topics covered and the themes of AP. How do these developments that you wrote about fit into the Big Picture?

TIPS

Remember to do the following:

1. Use the major SPICE elements. This makes it easier when you begin writing.

2. Underline the thesis statement so I can score it.

3. Make DIRECT comparisons. When you mention something in one region, explain how it is similar or different to another region.

4. Use comparison words for similarities (both, like, also, similar to, likewise, too, parallel, equivalent) and for differences (whereas, unlike, differed, as opposed to, only)

5. Post questions or help others by posting comments in the comments section of this blog post.