Comparison in the Period from c. 1200 to c. 1450
Driving Question: How was the process of state formation similar and different in various regions from c. 1200 to 1450 CE?
Time to get acquainted with the types of writing that you will encounter on the AP® World History: Modern exam: the long essay question (LEQ) and the document-based question (DBQ). First, you’ll build an understanding of the expectations by using rubrics to evaluate sample essays. Then, you’ll write your own essay comparing states in different parts of the world between c. 1200 and 1450.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the similarities and differences in the processes of state formation from c. 1200 to c. 1450.
- Use historical thinking skills and reasoning practices such as sourcing, contextualization, comparison, continuity and change over time (CCOT), and claim testing to evaluate historical events and processes.
Vocab Terms:
- causation
- contextualize
- continuity
- evidence
- perspective
- sourcing
- state
Don’t skip this writing activity, which helps students understand the DBQ and LEQ criteria they’ll need to fulfill on the AP exam. We’ve broken the AP requirements into categories to help students understand what they’ll need to do to earn full points on the exam. If students score “Advanced” for all the categories of the rubric, then they would likely earn full points on the exam.
Generally, it is easier to get the job done when you know what’s expected of you. It’s with that thought in mind that you will learn the five categories of the AP Writing Rubric.
Since it’s early in the course and students may not be prepared to write a full LEQ, you could have them write the introduction and create an outline that lists the evidence they would use to support their claim.
It’s time to show what you know with the Unit 1 Long Essay Question!
Share the AP DBQ Organizer with your students to help them organize their thoughts and write responses for the AP exam.
Use your sourcing skills to analyze a set of documents and create an argument about state formation in different parts of the world from c. 1200–1450.