Based on the essay progress chart I have filled out, it would appear that I need to improve in several areas of writing a compare and contrast, as well as a change over time essay. To be more precise, for the compare and contrast essays I have written in the first semester, I seem to have failed completely in analyzing the information and establishing a proper amount of evidence. I also seem to have only partly understood how to form a proper thesis. I believe these issues could be resolved if the comprehension of the historical material was better executed before writing the essay, and also I believe the issue could be resolved by better analyzing the information written down as evidence. As for the change over time essays I have written in the first semester, it would appear that I have performed poorly in fulfilling the requirements of analysis, global context, sufficient evidence, and thesis. For issues relating to thesis, analysis, and evidence, I believe the same solution I have concluded for the compare and contrast essays will suffice. As for global evidence, it could be improved by better relating the historical material in a global perspective, which would require the understanding of the information before essay attempts. Then finally, I believe that only when these issues are resolved, I will be able to approach the expanded core section of the essay.
Link to Essay Progress Chart:
https://docs.google.com/a/bps121.org/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ai_lGQhWTiY1dEVzTFhyY2ZRYXF4ZHlCbWsxa0pQelE&usp=drive_web#gid=0
I think you are correct that you have found the essay structures a challenge in the first semester, and I agree that knowing the historical information will help improve your performance from the standpoint of the evidence and analysis, but I do think that it is possible to improve your performance on them as well even if you don't know the material all that well. I'm curious to know if you have difficulties prior to writing, or if, when you sit down to write your brain goes blank and you can't remember what you need to do. I'd love to talk more with you about these essays, so feel free to set up a time that we can talk about them more and see if we can get you writing better.
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