Keys to the Continuity/Change Over

Time Essay

What is the CCOT essay?

THE BASICS An essay discussing characteristics that

changed and stayed the same in a given region and time period.

Know the required tasks & how they’re scored– the rubric

What is the CCOT essay?

THE BASICS – the rubricBASIC CORE EXPANDED CORE

Pts Pts

2

12

1

1

Has earned all 7 pts of basic core with opportunity to earn up to 2 additional pts if any of the tasks are performed with excellence.

2

TOTAL 9

1. Addresses all parts of the question

2. Has acceptable thesis3. Substantiates thesis

with evidence4. Analyzes process of

change5. Uses historical context

Identifies at least 1 change & 1 continuity

accurately

Strong statement stating your central argument

and describes 3 controlling ideas (likely 2

changes and 1 continuity)

Provides multiple specific examples for each controlling idea.

At least once, the essay identifies the likely cause of a specific

change

At least one, places the discussed events in the broader scope of history

by including related events

Fundamentals of CCOT Answering the question:

– Remember continuities, not just changes– Establish a baseline before describing the

changes that occur

Thesis– Establish time period boundaries & address

entire period

Substantiating Thesis:– Give specific examples to support thesis claims

(requires that you know history)

Example (2003)

Describe and analyze the cultural, economic, and political impact of Islam on ONE of the following regions between 1000 C.E. and 1750 C.E. Be sure to discuss continuities as well as change.

West Africa South Asia Europe

Complete the following tasks for a thesis1) In your thesis include the dates or time period

For example: “Between 1000 and 1750 C.E. . . ”

2. Include the region or country you chose.

Example: “Between 1000 and 1750 C.E. Islam impacted West Africa . . .”

3. Tell what changed and what stayed the same using the categories stated in the prompt.

Example Thesis: bare minimum

“Between 1000 and 1750 C.E. Islam impacted West Africa by changing its economics and political structure but many of its cultural aspects remained the same.”

A more analytic thesis would be …

Between 1000 and 1750 C.E. Islam entered West Africa and increased its trade and centralized its politics but many aspects of African religion and gender roles remained unchanged.

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).

CAUTION

The categories you put in your thesis must be the ones given by the prompt! If the prompt asks you to address changes in labor systems, don’t write about political change! If it asks for demographic changes, don’t write about changes in patterns of trade!

Complexities of CCOT Analyzing process of change:

– Identifying only a cause for continuity is weak – stick to changes

– What are some common triggers for change:– Consider that change happens unevenly in places

and overtime…often speeding up & slowing down

– Are there steps to the change?• Intermediate points between the beginning &

end of period are important

Complexities of CCOT

Historical context– Remember that changes & continuities in a

particular region do not happen in a vacuum– Use varying scope – global trends v. regional v.

local• Don’t be afraid to note exceptions to a trend

Ways to Answer CCOT - #1

Direct approach – body ¶ orgDirect approach – body ¶ org• Bases body paragraphs around the changes Bases body paragraphs around the changes

and continuities you identifyand continuities you identify

1.1. Topic sentenceTopic sentence2.2. BaselineBaseline3.3. Cause of change or contextCause of change or context4.4. Evidence (early, middle, late)Evidence (early, middle, late)5.5. Summary of change (status at end of Summary of change (status at end of

period) & significanceperiod) & significance6.6. Establish continuityEstablish continuity

Ways to Answer CCOT - #2 Narrative approach – body ¶ orgNarrative approach – body ¶ org

• Describes the flow of history from beginning of Describes the flow of history from beginning of period to end w/ embedded period to end w/ embedded changes/continuities. Bases body paragraphs changes/continuities. Bases body paragraphs around sub-periodsaround sub-periods

1.1. Topic sentenceTopic sentence2.2. ContextContext3.3. Characteristics, events, & processes that Characteristics, events, & processes that

change/stay the samechange/stay the same4.4. Cause of changes seen in period & Cause of changes seen in period &

significancesignificance

Practice CCOT - Music

American music through the ages –

Dani California Based on the music video, analyze the

changes and continuity in American music between 1950 and today.

Changes & Continuities in Life

Analyze the changes and continuities of Superman from the 1940s to the present.