2005 CCOT: Atlantic World 1492-1750
Note to teachers:
This Annotated Rubric is specifically designed for the College
Board’s AP World History course, but could also be helpful in any
world history survey course. The best source of information about
how to teach essay skills is the AP World History Course Description,
(aka the “Acorn” Book), published every 2 years by the College
Board. It can be downloaded for no cost at
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/teachers_corner/4484.html
Another great source of learning how to teach good writing skills is
by being an Essay Reader. You’ll have direct, first-hand experience
reading essays, and get an unforgettable amount of insight into the
most common writing techniques, both effective and otherwise.
You’ll also enjoy meeting other dedicated, talented, and resourceful
World History teachers from around the world who will encourage
and challenge you in a myriad of ways. You can apply to be an AP
Reader at http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/homepage/4137.html
The discussions on the AP World History Electronic Discussion
Group (EDG) heavily influenced the comments & insights in this
Annotated Rubric. The EDG is a great way to ask questions of 2,000+
world history professionals. You can register for the EDG at
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/homepage/7173.html
This Annotated Rubric is by no means intended as a “turn-key”
solution to improving your students’ writing. If you want the real
training as to how to teach a good AP World History course, go to an
1-day AP Workshop or a 5-day Summer Institute. See
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/Pageflows/InstitutesAndWorkshops/InstitutesAn
dWorkshopsController.jpf
How to use this Annotated Rubric
The overall goals for this document are to help students improve their
writing and to reinforce the “Habits of Mind” discussed in the Acorn
book. In my high school, I am fortunate to have an excellent English
department that teaches students the importance of clear thesis state-
ments and good writing mechanics. My job is made far easier in that
“all” I have to do is to show the students how to apply what they’ve
already learned in their English classes to AP World History.
I’ve tried to show 3 levels of answers to each Rubric category: 1) an
unacceptable response that fails to meet the criteria; 2) an acceptable
response; and 3) an excellent response that demonstrates mastery of
the required skill. Only you know your students’ writing strengths
and weaknesses. The danger here is that some students may look
only at the excellent examples and give up, thinking, “I can’t
possibly do that.” Encourage them to take it one step at a time, to
improve incrementally towards mastery, and eventually they WILL
master the subject. Keep in mind that there are five different
categories on the Generic CCOT Rubric, with seven possible points.
The national mean score, at the end of the academic year, was 3.40.1
A student who scores “only” two points on their first CCOT attempt
should be heartily encouraged, and should not despair that they’ll
never achieve all seven points on the generic rubric.
Even though this question was from the 2005 test, I’ve used the
Generic Rubric from the current Acorn book to illustrate the grading
criteria. Given that this is the direction the World History Test
Development Committee is moving, I think it’s only appropriate to
use the current standards, even though the actual rubric at the time
was slightly different.
I hope this teaching tool helps your students to write and think better,
and helps you enjoy grading their writing more.
Bill Strickland
East Grand Rapids HS
East Grand Rapids, MI
bstrickl@egrps.org
http://moodle.egrps.org/course/view.php?id=136
1
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_questions/2090.html
2005 CCOT: Atlantic World 1492-1750
Question:
Point
#
Analyze the social and economic transformations that occurred in the Atlantic world as a result of new contacts among
Western Europe, Africa, and the Americas from 1492 to 1750.
Official Description
Commentary
Has acceptable thesis.
The thesis must be
located at the beginning
or the end of the essay.
No “split” thesis (½ in
opening paragraph, ВЅ
in closing paragraph)
Examples and Commentary
Unacceptable “There were many transformations in the Atlantic world as a result of new contacts among
Western Europe, Africa, and the Americas from 1492 to 1750.” This is merely a rephrasing of the question.
“Many” is a virtually meaningless qualifier. Be more specific!2
“Columbus’ discovery of the New World had a huge impact on the future of the Atlantic world.” or “Europe
dominated the Americas through military technology and political absolutism.” Off topic. The question asks
the reader to focus on the social and economic transformations, NOT the degree of Columbus’ impact, or
military & political developments. This illustrates why it is so important to read the question carefully and
spend time organizing the essay BEFORE actually writing. Not only would this not earn the Thesis point, it
might also distract the writer from earning point #3 (Evidence).
Must be more than a
simple restatement of the Europe was going through a social and economic transformation from 1492-1750 as it moved beyond
feudalism and into the modern era. Off topic. This thesis reflects a �European history’ point of view. Europe’s
question.
1
Thesis The thesis must address
social AND economic
transformations AND
the �Atlantic world.’
Thesis cannot simultaneously count for transformation, evidence, or
global context.
relationship to Africa and the Americas is a key part of this question, but a thesis devoted solely to only one
continent is irrelevant. Too often students devote considerable effort to the Renaissance, Scientific
Revolution, Reformation, Absolute Monarchy, English Civil War, etc. without relating it back to the rest of
the Atlantic world.
Minimally Acceptable “Between 1492-1750 Europe grew both socially and economically, while Africa and
the Americas suffered.” Bare minimum of acceptability. It does address both social and economic
considerations, but only vaguely.
Acceptable As Europe came to economically dominate trans-Atlantic trade, their influence over social
customs also expanded. This thesis sentence answers exactly what the question asks.
Excellent Although Europe quickly dominated the economic aspects of the Columbian Exchange, their
social influence in Africa and the Americas developed more slowly. This thesis analyzes and differentiates
specific categories of the two types of transformations, and would be eligible for the “Expanded Core”
(Extra Credit) as a “clear, analytical, and comprehensive thesis.”
2
I have a rule in my classroom, “Any thesis that contains the words �very,’ �many,’ �things,’ �lots,’ �stuff,’ or �ways’ is automatically vetoed.” Possibly the
hardest skill to learn is the ability to form a sophisticated, complex thesis. One strategy I’ve learned (from Geri McCarthy of Barrington, RI) is to require
students to begin their thesis with“W hile”, “Although”, or “Despite/In spite of.” These words strongly encourage students to formulate a mature thesis that helps
structure the rest of their essay. Once students can consistently write a competent thesis sentence, then I concentrate on having them develop an essay
preview/outline of later paragraphs. The result should be a thesis paragraph that is several sentences long (the paragraph should NOT just be a single sentence).
1
2
2005 CCOT: Atlantic World 1492-1750
Point #
Official Description
Commentary
Addresses all parts of the
question, though not necessarily evenly or thoroughly.
2 pts
2
Parts
of the
Question
For 2 Points: Essay must
accurately describe FOUR
social and economic transformations that occurred as a
result of new contacts in the
Atlantic world from 14921750. At least ONE must be
social, and at least ONE
must be economic.3
Examples and Commentary
Note: The nature of this question makes it difficult to distinguish between a “transformation”
and “evidence.” General long-term trends (Columbian Exchange, spread of diseases)
usually counted as a transformation, while specific examples (potatos, smallpox) counted as
evidence. Readers paid close attention to the verb to identify transformations. Statements that
indicated a conclusion, connection, or cause & effect were the most obvious transformational
verbs, and often indicated analysis (point #5) as well. Likewise, the distinction between
social and economic transformations was subtle. Often the context of the statement framed
readers’ interpretation.
Unacceptable Students often rephrased a single transformation, repeating it in a later paragraph. Each transformation could only count ONCE. Readers had to pay close attention to
the substance of the statement.
Acceptable “As the slave trade increased, it changed the native population.” = social trans.
“As the slave trade increased, it changed the native standard of living.” = economic trans.
(Address most parts of the
Common Social Transformations (w/ Evidence) Common Economic Trans. (Evidence)
question)
1 pt • Columbian Exchange
• Columbian Exchange
• slave trade
• slave trade
For 1 Point: describe ONE
• Spanish rule (encomienda, repartimento)
• Spanish rule (encomienda, repartimento)
social and ONE economic
• spread of diseases (smallpox, measles, syphilis) • triangle trade
transformation.
• social stratification (peninsulars, creoles,
• mercantilism
Note: 3 economic transformmestizos, mulattos, zambos, etc.)
• prerequisites for industrial revolution4
ations would earn 0 points
Excellent An essay that addresses all parts of the question thoroughly or evenly.
(there must be at least 1
social transformation)
3
W hen this question was administered in 2005, for 2 points, the rubric required the writer to not only describe 4 transformations, but also analyze one of those
transformations. The Generic CCOT Rubric has since made Analysis a distinct category, so I “retrofitted” this question by separating out the analysis
requirement. This is strictly my own interpretation of how the question was actually graded and how it would be graded now, given the newer rubric.
4
Some students legitimately discussed the precursors for the LATER Industrial Revolution. However, an essay that incorrectly placed a fully developed
Industrial Revolution before 1750 C.E. did not earn any credit.
2005 CCOT: Atlantic World 1492-1750
Point #
Official Description
Commentary
Examples and Commentary
Substantiates thesis with approNote: The nature of this question makes it difficult to distinguish between a “transformation”
priate historical evidence.
2 pts and “evidence.”
Include FOUR pieces of historical
evidence related to social and
economic transformations. The
student must cite at least ONE piece
of evidence for a social
transformation and ONE piece of
evidence for an economic
transformation.
3
Evidence
Partially substantiates thesis
(1 pt)
Include TWO pieces of historical
evidence related to social and
economic transformations. The
student must cite at least ONE piece
of evidence for a social
transformation and ONE piece of
evidence for an economic
transformation.
The minimum requirement for how
many transformations is determined
by the reader/ teacher, NOT the
student.5
5
Unacceptable The exchange of ideas caused both the American and French Revolutions. This
�evidence’ is outside the time frame (post-1750).
Numerous weak essays seemed to be borrowed from students’ US history class experiences,
(John Smith, Pocahontas, Jamestown, Pilgrims, Plymouth Rock, or Thanksgiving).
Acceptable “The spread of diseases among the native Americans motivated Europeans to find an
alternative labor source, which they satisfied with the introduction of the African slave trade.
(disease = transformation, slave trade = supporting evidence)
“The interactions of the Atlantic world caused a population decline in the Americas while
Africa's population increased. The Aztecs and the Incas, for example, were not immune to new
diseases such as smallpox which wiped out much of their society.” In this case, the transformation is the American population decline of which disease is a point of evidence.
“As a result of interactions in the Atlantic World, new cultural traditions appeared in the
Americas. The slave trade brought Africans to the Americas where Africans mixed with native
Americans and Europeans to form new languages and religions.” In this case, “new cultural
traditions” constitutes the transformation while the slave trade becomes evidence of that
transformation.
Note how the evidence should relate back to the thesis (from p. 1). It shouldn’t just “hang out
there” unrelated to anything else in the essay.
Excellent An essay that provides abundant historical evidence substantiating the thesis.
This illustrates an important teaching point. The Generic Rubrics published in the Acorn book are designed to give teachers a range of what grading standard
will be enforced at the official Reading. The precise “minimum acceptability” for each Generic Rubric category is determined by the Chief Reader at the
Reading based on a sampling of student responses to that specific question. The minimum will fluctuate each year on each question within the range allowed in
the Generic Rubric. (e.g. one year the minimum may be “supports thesis with two pieces of evidence related to social and economic transformations” while the
next year the minimum may be “three pieces of evidence… .”) In the classroom, teachers should aim higher. Ideally, students should do every part of this rubric
to every question or document they ever read. That is part of the teacher’s responsibility in training students in the historian’s craft. So how many Changes,
Continuities etc. should students aim for? College Board Consultant Bard Keeler’s advice is the “Rule of 3.” No matter what the category, give three examples. 3
Changes & 3 Continuities, 3 pieces of evidence, 3 similarities & 3 differences (for Compare & Contrast essays) 3 POV’s, 3 Groupings, (for DBQs) etc.
3
4
2005 CCOT: Atlantic World 1492-1750
Point #
Official Description
Commentary
Uses global historical context effectively to show
continuity OR change.6
The student uses global
historical context effectively
to show change OR
continuity in the Atlantic
world from 1492 to 1750
by:
Examples and Commentary
This part of the rubric is based on the Habit of Mind, “Seeing global patterns over time and
space while also acquiring the ability to connect local developments to global ones.”7 In other
words, students should know how �Specific Example A’ compares with �Global Trend #1.’
(e.g. Does the example reflect or contradict the overall global trend? What are the major
milestones/turning points in the development of the global trend?) This requires students to
know what the global trends ARE, and then be able to cite specific examples that support
their topic sentences.
Unacceptable The slave trade was an example of an Atlantic world transformation from
1492-1750. The essay must explicitly describe the interaction between two specific regions.
Simply rephrasing this statement to “The slave trade from Africa to the Americas was an
example …” would have earned the point.
4
• Placing the Atlantic world
World
in the context of world
Acceptable Note: Virtually any accurate, relevant statement that described a relationship
Historical history,
OR
linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas between 1492-1750 would satisfy this requirement.
Context
• Connecting the Atlantic
world to global processes,
OR
• Describing the interactions between at least two
regions
Readers anticipated that this would be the easiest point to earn. Unfortunately, approx. 10%
of essays (in this reader’s experience) did not meet even this minimal requirement.
Excellent Analyzes all issues of the question (as relevant): global context, chronology,
causation, change, continuity, effects, content. An essay that provides innovative links with
relevant ideas, events, and trends.
The social status of women remained constant from 1492-1750 as European social customs
were transplanted to the Americas. While a few students wrote about continuities, the vast
majority did not. Thus, no continuities were required for the “Core” scoring. Continuities
were included in the Expanded Core (Extra Credit).
6
For good advice and perspective on teaching the Habits of Mind inherent in COT essays, see Peter Stearns’ “Strategies for the Change Over Time Question,” at
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/courses/teachers_corner/40896.html, and Sharon Cohen’s “The Change-over-Time Question: Teaching
Techniques, at http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/courses/teachers_corner/44828.html.
7
2008, 2009 AP W orld History Course Description “Acorn Book,” p. 9.
2005 CCOT: Atlantic World 1492-1750
5
Prerequisite CCOT Skills:
1) Periodization (When?) What IS “periodization?” Most students have difficulty understanding periodization. Time may �flow,’ but change (and the
significance to historians that change brings with it) is anything BUT constant & predictable. Periodization “explains the differences [between] the
period just covered [and] the period to come. For all periods, major interpretative issues, alternative historical frameworks, and historical debates are
included. [Periodization] forms an organizing principle for dealing with change and continuity throughout the course.”8 Once students can place events
into the proper “Era” (e.g. Foundations, 1750-1914, etc.) they can then proceed to describe and analyze the changes WITHIN that era.
2) Orders of Magnitude, or “Ripple Effects” (Where?) My students like to use vague adjectives. (“many, big, large, huge” etc.) I try to discourage this
habit, particularly in the thesis. Instead, I ask students to numerically conceive of how �big’ of an impact any historical event had on a hypothetical
scale of 1-10,000.
Level
1. Local
2. Regional /
Provincial
3. National /
Continental
4. Global
Number
1-10
or 10 1
10-100
or 102
100-1,000
or 103
1,000-10,000
or 104
Historical and Hypothetical Examples
Political - Your town elects a new mayor.
Economic - A local grocery store goes out of business, laying off 50 employees.
Social - A cool new nightclub opens in your city, featuring a local band you really like.
Political - Your state elects a new governor.
Economic - Favorable tax policies convince 1,000s of people to relocate to your state.
Social - The band’s music is played across a regional network of radio stations.
Political - A revolution overthrows the government
Economic - NAFTA, creating a free trade zone between Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Social - The band is featured on national TV, attracting millions of fans.
Political - The nation-state becomes the most common structure around the world.
Economic - The Great Depression reduces international trade by 50% between 1929-1933.
Social - The band’s music spreads to another continent, growing even bigger there than back home.
3) Merge the “When” and “Where” Next, students must merge the “when” (based on periodization) and the “where” (from the ripple effect). Only then
can they accurately place a change in history, and in what degree or context it occurred.
4) Principle Learning In my classroom experience, my students often fail to understand history because they don’t know that �X’ is a subcategory of
�Y.’ (e.g. “That’s not a dog, it’s a golden retriever.”) If students can understand the hierarchical/categorical nature of historical knowledge, they have a
great advantage. AP World History concentrates on the Global processes that affect millions of people. Students should try to cite evidence that is as
specific as possible. Thus, don’t lump “all” of a nationality together, as if “they” are all alike in every respect.
8
2008-09 AP W orld History Course Description “Acorn Book,” p. 3.
6
2005 CCOT: Atlantic World 1492-1750
Point #
Official Description
Commentary
Examples and Commentary
Analyzes the process of
change over time and/or
continuity.
Unacceptable Most essays didn’t include ANY analysis, only simple narrative that listed
events in seeming isolation from each other. Analysis is a complex �Habits of Mind’ skill that
teachers need to stress more in daily lessons.
ation.
Excellent An essay that consistently analyzes social and economic transformations.
See Sample Paragraph B on page 8.
5
Analyze
Change or Analyze at least one social Acceptable See Sample Paragraph A on page 9.
Continuity or economic transform-
“Power Words” for Analytical Writing9
Verbs
assert
compliment
demonstrate
embrace
exemplify
illustrate
indicate
9
portray
reflect
reveal
signify
strengthen
symbolize
undermine
Adverbs/Time Qualifiers
change
continue
transform
evolved
emerge
revolutionize
connect
now
later
immediately
at this point
afterward
then
This list inspired by Jenny Schinleber of Cypress Creek HS, Orlando, FL
gradually
eventually
at once
next
soon
ironically
Adjectives
impressive
despicable
contemplative
authoritative
humble
creative
subtle
ironic
rude
haughty
dutiful
traditional
proud
very
lots
many
big
small
2005 CCOT: Atlantic World 1492-1750
7
What IS Analysis?
The pursuit of Analysis is a perennial quest of AP students (and
teachers). Students who consistently analyze earn high marks on the
AP World History Exam. Monica Bond-Lamberty, a teacher at James
Madison Memorial High School in Madison, WI, and a member of
the AP World History Test Development Committee puts it this
way:10
Analyze: determine their component parts; examine their nature and
relationship.11 Bloom’s Taxonomy refers to “the ability to break
down material into its component parts so that its organizational
structure may be understood. This may include the identification of
parts or components, examination of the relationship between parts,
recognition of hidden meanings and detection of the organizational
principles or patterns involved.”
So when doing historical analysis what is being done is breaking
down the item being analyzed into its parts which generally include
(depending on what is being analyzed):
• historical actors: events, processes, institutions, ideas, etc.
(examination of multiple causation which looks at cause and effect
relationships)
• evidence (determining the significance and reliability of various
perspectives like when point of view is analyzed)
• interpretations of what happened (comparing and contrasting
changing versions of developments or theories)
10
11
Monica Bond-Lamberty’s AP W orld History EDG message, 7/1/2005.
2006-07 AP W orld History Course Description, p. 32.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/repository/05821apcoursdescworld_4332.pdf
• underlying structures (determining how all the processes, institutions, ideas, events, actors, motives, evidence, interpretations are
connected and related and affect each other)
• overall process of change and continuity (connecting different
regions and eras)
This is different from just explaining because of the need to look at
multiple causation.
For example: if with the [2005 CCOT question] we had asked
students to explain a transformation that took place, [it] would have
been okay with a single description - (“the population of the
Americas declined”). Instead we required students to go further with
looking at why the population declined, ideally several steps forward
and backward.
If we asked students to explain the causes of the demographic change
in the Americas from 1450-1750, simply describing the Atlantic
slave trade and European colonization would cut it; whereas if we
asked students to analyze demographic change in the Americas we
would want students to also look at why they needed the slave trade,
why there was colonization and the differences in which genders
were involved?
We need to work with students to help students distinguish between
analysis and just a simple explanation of causation or a really good
description.
Analysis Examples
8
Sample Paragraph A12
The mercantalistic economies established in Europe redefined the economies of not
only of European nations, but of American and African ones as well. Under mercantilism, European colonies in the new world were limited to trade only with their mother
countries to ensure profit. The European monarchs would finance gold and silver
expeditions in the Americas so that their national treasure would grow. In order to
ensure productivity not only in American mines, but on plantations as well, Europe
began to enslave Africans and send them to the Americas via the Middle Passage. The
Middle Passage was part of a great trading triangle linking Europe, Africa, and America. African slaves were sent to America to work in captivity. America sent raw good to
Europe and Europe sent money and good to allied African tribes to pay for slaves. The
goods and money exchanged on the Great Circuit profited many European nations and
African tribes. Plantation owners in America also became very wealthy. However, the
exchange of goods, and not to mention people on the Great Circuit, also reshaped
societies socially.
Commentary14
Analysis in this paragraph is limited, but is present
in the connection between the requirements of
mercantilism and the productivity of plantations in
the Americas.
European motives (and trade restrictions) for trade
are explored.
The context of the Middle Passage within the larger
trade patterns is described, but there is no evaluation or assessment of the slave trade.
This paragraph weaves together multiple good
writing characteristics.
Sample Paragraph B13
• It places each continent into global context at the
beginning of the time period.
By 1492, Europe was on the verge of an economic explosion and Africa and America
•
The
institution of slavery over time is nicely
were relatively quiet in the global economy. Long before European contact in Africa,
described within the larger framework of global
slaves and trans-Saharan slave trade were in existence. Portugese explorers came upon
trade patterns.
Africa to find this institution. An institution once belonging to Africa would become
•
The
slave trade’s effect on Africa’s place in global
globalized. Europeans soon began to export slaves to their countries and eventually to
community is directly noted, as well as the
the American economies. The slave trade put Africa on the map as a contending
economic effect the slave trade had on the
economic power. The slave workers fueled the American economies soon thereafter.
The Europeans had difficulty in finding and maintaining native-American labor - slaves Americas, reinforcing the changing relationship
among the three continents.
filtered into the Caribbean, Brazil, and the southern U.S. to serve on plantations. The
• Europeans’ motives are explored, and the
sugar industry was growing in Europe and the slaves satisfied the Portugese sweetparagraph finishes with a succinct summarization
tooth on the “engenhos” and in other lands. By creating the triangular slave trade, the
of the slave trade’s overall effect on both Europe
Americans entered the global economy and Europe morphed into a more powerful one.
and the Americas.
14
12
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_questions/2090.html Sample Essay 2A
13
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_questions/2090.html Sample Essay 2B
Teachers, after students read these paragraphs, have them
underline all the verbs, adverbs, & adjectives in each sentence.
This will highlight Sample B’s analytical “voice” and sense of
the process of change over time.
9
Possible/Common CCOT Essay Structures
Below are some common essay structures students use for the CCOT. Note: There is no universal “best” essay structure. The specific wording of the
question requires students to be flexible in organizing their response.
Geographic
Region #1
Changes
Continuities
Analysis of Region #1's relationship to global
context (RGC)
Region #2
Changes
Continuities
Analysis of Region #2's RGC
Categorical
Category #1 (Social)
Global Context
Changes, Continuities, analysis vis ГЎ vis RGC
Category #2 (Economic)
Global Context
Changes, Continuities, analysis vis ГЎ vis RGC
Category #3 (Political)
Global Context
Changes, Continuities, analysis vis ГЎ vis RGC
Chronological
Beginning
Global Context
Region/Category #1, including RGC analysis
Region/Category #2, including RGC analysis
Middle (with emphasis on how changes develop
from beginning through to end)
Global Context
Region/Category #1, including RGC analysis
Region/Category #2, including RGC analysis
End
Global Context
Region/Category #1, including RGC analysis
Region/Category #2, including RGC analysis
Changes, then Continuities
Changes
Region/Category #1
Region/Category #2
Analysis of changes’ RGC
Continuities
Region/Category #1
Region/Category #2
Analysis of continuities’ RGC
Flexible / Generic15
1. Beginning Situation (start date)
2. Cause of Change
a. There might be a specific date of the cause,
or “turning point,”
b. a specific date when the change is
observable, or “tipping point,” but the
cause of the change was gradual with no
specific date of onset
or
c. a series of factors leading to change, each
with different onset dates or no clear onset
date of all, which caused gradual change
in an un-dramatic fashion.
3. Date by which Change is Observable (end
date)
a. What were the changes in contrast with the
Beginning Situation
b. What were the continuities from the
Beginning Situation
These three items can be graphically organized
in essay pre-writing using a three-bar parallel
chart:
Beginning
|
Cause
|
Change
Note: Make sure to relate all change(s) to the
Global Context
15
Charles Ryder’s AP W orld History EDG message,
9/25/2005.
