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.