How to Write the Continuity and Change Over Time Essay

(CCOT)

Objectives

Terminal Learning Objective (TLO): I expect you to be able to write an acceptable continuity and change essay.

Enabling Learning Objective (ELO) #1: The first step is to be able to differentiate APWH themes.

CONTINUITY AND CHANGE OVER TIME

• The CCOT essay tests your ability to trace a broad trend or development over a long period of time

PIRATES P – POLITICAL – who is in charge? Geography

included I – Intellectual – how did they express themselves etc. R – RELIGION – what do they believe? A – Artistic accomplisments T – Technological advancement E- Economic – Resources, trade, etc. S- Social

Political

• Structure • War • Treaties • Courts/Laws • Leaders • Popular participation • Loyalty to leader

Intellectual/Arts

• Art and Music • Writing/Literature • Philosophy • Math/Science • Education • Inventions

Religion

• Importance on societal interaction • Holy Books • Beliefs/Teachings • Conversion – role of missionaries • Sin/Salvation • Deities

Artistic

Music Paintings, Sculpture• Architecture

Technological

Inventions, Innovations• Industry

Economic

• State control on trade/industry • Agriculture/Industry importance • Labor systems • Levels of Technology • Levels of International Trade • Gender and Slaves • Money System

Social

• Family order – patriarchal, matriarchal • Gender Relations – role of women,

children • Social Classes – slavery • Entertainment • Life Styles

CONTINUITY AND CHANGE OVER TIME

– 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– scientific innovations

Topics may include:

THOUGHTS 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?

Objectives

TLO: I expect you to be able to write an acceptable continuity and change essay.

ELO #2: The second step is to identify relevant continuities/change and understand the processes of continuity/change.

The Complexity of Change and Continuity

Imagine a simple timeline that represents your own life. If you were to note the 8-10 most important events/changes on your timeline, along with continuities, what might that look like?

|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|

Analyze the changes and continuities in your life between 1999 (or the year born) and the

present

• Please see PDF Document of sample timeline of Mrs. Singleton’s life. It is posted in the handout section for your class.

Types of ChangeType of Change Example

Clear, definite “date” of beginning and end

Move to Germany

Clear, definite beginning “date,” but no ending date.

Dad return from VietnamNear fatal accident

Clear beginning date, but significant developmental changes since that beginning. This “event” still exists, but is significantly different now compared to when it first started.

Walking, talking, school

Vague, slow, gradual process with no clear beginning or ending date

Love of Dance and Performing Arts

Objectives

TLO: I expect you to be able to write an acceptable continuity and change essay.

ELO #3: The third step is to understand Periodization

Periodization

• Historical thinking involves the ability to describe, analyze, evaluate, and construct models of historical periodization that historians use to categorize events into discrete blocks and to identify turning points.

Periodization

• Our prompt – Analyze the changes and continuities in your life between 1999 and the present

Periodization

• Periodization helps to organize different groups in different places during a specific time period.

• Changes do not happen in a vacuum. Something, somewhere, had an influence on the change.

Objectives

TLO: I expect you to be able to write an acceptable continuity and change essay.

ELO #4: The fourth step is to understand the ability to construct a valid thesis for the APWH essays. In this case, it is the CCOT

Thesis Writing

• Analyze the changes and continuities in your life between 1999 and the present

– Address what the question is asking.

Thesis Writing

Analyze the changes and continuities in your life between 1999 and the present

• Minimal: (this will get you minimal pts.)Between 1997 and 2014 my life has been impacted by many changes but many aspects have been the same.

Thesis Writing

Analyze the changes and continuities in your life between 1999 and the present

• Recommended: – Between 1999 and 2014 my life has

changed because of the USMC, marriage, and the birth of my children but has stayed the same in regards to my faith and my love of baseball.

Thesis Writing

• So, the basic template is:

Between __(beginning date)____ and __(ending date)______, ___(area you chose to write about___) changed in the area of ____(category(ies) from the prompt)___ but stayed the same in the area of __(the other category(ies) from the prompt).

Objectives

TLO: I expect you to be able to construct an acceptable continuity and change essay.

ELO #5: The final step before actually writing is to understand how to analyze the reasons for the change/continuity.

Analysis

• Good writing would require you to analyze the reasons for the continuities and changes – What caused each continuity or change? – Why were some changes sudden, while

others were gradual?– Comparison to the larger (Global) Context

(how does it fit with what was/is going on other places in the world?)

Characteristics at the Beginning of the Time Period

Examples of Significant Changes, Turning Points, or Developments

Note type of change (sudden, gradual, developmental)

Characteristics at the end of Time

Period

ChildhoodCarefree

Parental guidanceNo responsibility

Religious values and influences established

Work ethicDance lessonsLove of singing

Relationships aquiredEducation

TravelPhysically fit

1. Flight Attendant career (sudden)

2. Education (formal and informal) gradual3. Love for mentoring (gradual)

Significant Continuities1. Religious affiliation (gradual)

2. Love of performing arts (gradual)

3. Parents as a strong foundation

Wife and FriendTravel

TeacherCoach

Responsible for othersMotherhood

Time managementDiscipline

Generative stageGrowing old gracefully

Health issues

Reasons Why Changes & Continuities

Occured

1. Realized the fleeting nature of life during Desert Storm2. Decision to teach and mentor youth as result of that realization3. Faith helped me through many of the hard times

Characteristics at the Beginning of the Time Period

Examples of Significant Changes, Turning Points, or Developments

Note type of change (sudden, gradual, developmental)

Characteristics at the end of Time

Period

1. Death of my first born

2. Death of my favorite sibling

3. Heart attack

Significant Continuities1. Parental support

2. Strong religious foundation

3. Love of Dance and Performing Arts

Reasons Why Changes & Continuities

Occured

1.

2.

3.

CCOTAnalyze the changes and continuity in the role of women in society between 1940 and today.

1. What is the question asking you to do? (Restate the verb in your own words.)

2. What is the object of the verb? – what? – when? – where?

Pink as Rosie

CONTINUITY AND CHANGE OVER TIMEGeneral Tips

Students should take 40 minutes to complete the CCOT essay

Students should spend 5 of the 40 minutes reading the question, reflecting on the question, and organizing thoughts concerning the essay

The CCOT will request that students analyze the evolution (progression/development) of a trend or phenomenon over a long period of time

Students will be asked to focus on a particular nation or geographical region and may be given a choice regarding which nation or region must be included in the essay

students must concentrate

on showing what changed

and how it changed as well as

what remained the same.