AP World HistoryAP World History

Continuity and Change Continuity and Change Over Time EssayOver Time Essay

What is the CCOT Essay?What is the CCOT Essay?

An essay discussing characteristics An essay discussing characteristics that changed and stayed the same in that changed and stayed the same in a given region between two time a given region between two time periods.periods. Comparison essay, but across time Comparison essay, but across time

rather than region.rather than region. Know the required tasks & how Know the required tasks & how

they’re scored the rubric.they’re scored the rubric.

What is the CCOT Essay?What is the CCOT Essay?

The CCOT deals specifically with The CCOT deals specifically with analysis of continuities and changes analysis of continuities and changes over time covering at least one of the over time covering at least one of the periods in the course outline. periods in the course outline. For example, it might address technology, For example, it might address technology,

trade, culture, migrations, or environment. trade, culture, migrations, or environment. The CCOT question requires analysis of The CCOT question requires analysis of

process and explanation of the cause process and explanation of the cause with specific examples.with specific examples.

The PurposeThe Purpose

To evaluate your ability to analyze To evaluate your ability to analyze historical changes and continuities historical changes and continuities that have shaped events, social, that have shaped events, social, political, economic developments in political, economic developments in history and ability to gauge your history and ability to gauge your analysis of global processes.analysis of global processes.

What you need to do.What you need to do.

ChangeChange Recognize it as it occurs in history.Recognize it as it occurs in history. Identify & Understand the causes of Identify & Understand the causes of

change.change.

ContinuityContinuity Recognize factors which remain the same Recognize factors which remain the same

throughout an entire period.throughout an entire period. Identify and understand factors which allow Identify and understand factors which allow

this to continue.this to continue.

The “Change”The “Change”

Must discuss (utilizing concrete detail) and Must discuss (utilizing concrete detail) and analyze changes that occurred relevant to analyze changes that occurred relevant to the questions.the questions. And, of course, correct information. And, of course, correct information.

If the questions discusses specific terms, If the questions discusses specific terms, such as social and political, you need to such as social and political, you need to focus on political and social changes.focus on political and social changes.

If the questions is more vague, you need If the questions is more vague, you need to think of aspects to base your analysis to think of aspects to base your analysis on.on.

The “Continuity”The “Continuity”

The questions also asks you to address The questions also asks you to address continuities, generally these are patterns continuities, generally these are patterns or cultural tendencies that remain or cultural tendencies that remain stagnant for years and years.stagnant for years and years. For example: Think of the role of women, For example: Think of the role of women,

religions, philosophies, or conflict between religions, philosophies, or conflict between the social classes.the social classes.

It very important to remember that you It very important to remember that you need to have concrete details to back up need to have concrete details to back up your continuity. your continuity.

Starting and Ending PointStarting and Ending Point In order to get complete credit for the CCOT, In order to get complete credit for the CCOT,

you need to address the starting point. you need to address the starting point. In order to analyze changes, you must discuss In order to analyze changes, you must discuss

what it was like before. what it was like before. However, pay attention to time period.However, pay attention to time period.

Given the question, your essay may require:Given the question, your essay may require: Starting point, Transition, and Ending condition orStarting point, Transition, and Ending condition or Starting point and Ending condition.Starting point and Ending condition.

Meaning that Outline/Pre-Write is essential.Meaning that Outline/Pre-Write is essential.

Good and Bad ChangesGood and Bad Changes You must identify the change and make it You must identify the change and make it

clear why that change occurred.clear why that change occurred. Bad:Bad:

Prior to 1948 the Jewish people had no homeland. Prior to 1948 the Jewish people had no homeland. In 1948, Israel was established.In 1948, Israel was established.

Good:Good: In the Early 20th century, few people saw a need In the Early 20th century, few people saw a need

for the establishment of an independent Jewish for the establishment of an independent Jewish state. However, once the world realized the state. However, once the world realized the massive genocide of Jews that took place during massive genocide of Jews that took place during World War II, support for the establishment of World War II, support for the establishment of Israel began to grow.Israel began to grow.

Fundamentals of the CCOT EssayFundamentals of the CCOT Essay Thesis should define areas of change and areas of Thesis should define areas of change and areas of

continuity.continuity. Establish time period boundaries & address Establish time period boundaries & address

entire period.entire period. This can be done in two sentences. This can be done in two sentences.

Address Address bothboth continuity and change! continuity and change! Everyone forgets to do continuity.Everyone forgets to do continuity.

Analyze the cause of changes. Analyze the cause of changes. Use the word “because” a lot.Use the word “because” a lot.

Discuss “global context”.Discuss “global context”. Connect to world processes and change.Connect to world processes and change.

Helpful HintsHelpful Hints Draw a timeline to help connect the era and events Draw a timeline to help connect the era and events

you will talk about.you will talk about. We will be use a chart in class to also help, but We will be use a chart in class to also help, but

you will not have the chart for the exam. you will not have the chart for the exam. Identify what the situation was at the beginning of Identify what the situation was at the beginning of

the era, also know as a baseline. the era, also know as a baseline. Cite a fact about this.Cite a fact about this.

Identify what the situation was at the end of the era. Identify what the situation was at the end of the era. Cite a fact about this.Cite a fact about this.

Try to explain the process of change.Try to explain the process of change. How and why did it happen?How and why did it happen?

Ways to Think about the CCOTWays to Think about the CCOT

You can think about the CCOT as You can think about the CCOT as discussing whether change outweighs discussing whether change outweighs continuity, or vice versa.continuity, or vice versa.

You can think about the CCOT as focusing You can think about the CCOT as focusing on the cause and/or effects of a primary on the cause and/or effects of a primary change in the era.change in the era.

You can think about the CCOT as You can think about the CCOT as covering two or three chapters from the covering two or three chapters from the textbook.textbook. Think about how the situation changes.Think about how the situation changes.

Common Triggers for ChangeCommon Triggers for Change

Consider that change happens Consider that change happens unevenly in places and overtime.unevenly in places and overtime. Often speeding up & slowing down.Often speeding up & slowing down.

Are there steps to the change?Are there steps to the change? Intermediate points between the Intermediate points between the

beginning & end of period are beginning & end of period are important.important.

Historical ContextHistorical Context

Remember that changes and Remember that changes and continuities in a particular region do continuities in a particular region do not happen in a vacuum.not happen in a vacuum.

Use varying scope.Use varying scope. Global trends vs. regional vs. Global trends vs. regional vs.

locallocal Don’t be afraid to note Don’t be afraid to note

exceptions to a trend.exceptions to a trend.

How to Answer the CCOT EssayHow to Answer the CCOT EssayApproach #1 – Direct Approach #1 – Direct

Basis body paragraph around the Basis body paragraph around the changes and continiuties you identify.changes and continiuties you identify.

1.1. Topic sentenceTopic sentence

2.2. BaselineBaseline

3.3. Cause of change or contextCause of change or context

4.4. EvidenceEvidence Early, middle, lateEarly, middle, late

5.5. Summary of change.Summary of change. Status at end of period & significanceStatus at end of period & significance

How to Answer the CCOT EssayHow to Answer the CCOT EssayApproach #2 – NarrativeApproach #2 – Narrative

Describe the flow of history from beginning of Describe the flow of history from beginning of period to end w/ embedded changes/continuities. period to end w/ embedded changes/continuities.

Bases body paragraphs around sub-periods.Bases body paragraphs around sub-periods.

1.1. Topic sentenceTopic sentence

2.2. ContextContext

3.3. Characteristics, events, & processes that Characteristics, events, & processes that change/stay the samechange/stay the same

4.4. Cause of changes seen in period & significanceCause of changes seen in period & significance