AP World History Mr.

Jenkins

A DBQ is an acronym for Document Based Question (DBQ). The purpose of a DBQ is to help you become a skillful historian and a competent writer. Examining real evidence about important questions in history and weighing evidence against what you already know in order to reach a position reflect what historians do. These skills are authentic to the analysis of history.

Using primary source documents, conflicting interpretations of historical events, interpreting graphs, cartoons, maps, charts, then construction an understanding of an event or era are important skills for everyone to possess and to demonstrate. Writing answers to DBQs will help you improve your complex reasoning skills, to learn to detect bias, to weigh evidence, to develop logical solutions, and to express yourself in a clear, thoughtful, persuasive essay.

An acceptable thesis Addresses all of the documents and demonstrates understanding of all or all but one. Supports thesis with appropriate evidence from all or all but one document. Analyzes point of view in at least two documents.

Analyzes documents by grouping them in two or three ways, depending on the question. Identifies and explains the need for one type of appropriate additional document or source.

Read the question carefully.

o What does the question ask you to do?
o Underline key words, eras, names, issues, or categories used in

the question

Write down the facts.

o Names, dates, events-that you know about the topic and time

period.

Read and analyze the documents:

o Look at the author and the time the document was written
o Identify the point of view or main idea of the document.

Underline key words. Write notes in the margin summarizing each document. o Write down the main ideas.

Reread the question.

o Carefully consider your document summaries and their

relationship to the question asked.

Plan/organize your response so that you prove your thesis with supporting evidence and information (categorize, block, outline, mind map)
o Identify the main subjects to be discussed in the body. o Select the documents related to each major subject. o Write down important information from the documents and from

your knowledge of the issue.

Write an organized essay responding to the question.

o Thesis/Introductory paragraph.

Make a broad analytical statement of the problem or background of issues to be resolved. Thesis statement (Proposed solution to the problem) (use only words like these to begin your thesis: though; while; despite; although, etc) (do not use words like: many, some, lots, stuff, etc) Discuss three (3) arguments to be considered by the reader in advocating for your thesis position.
Summary statement of group 1, with a hint of related POV Summary statement of group 2, with a hint of related POV Summary statement of group 3, with a hint of related POV Offer missing document summary and why

First paragraph
o Topic sentence to introduce your first group and related

argument. Your goal is to introduce the documents into evidence that will support your thesis is this group. o Discuss Document A and discuss its relationship to your thesis and its role in the group with a substantive analysis of POV, if possible. o Discuss Document B and discuss its relationship to your thesis and its role in the group with a substantive analysis of POV, if possible. o Discuss Document C and discuss its relationship to your thesis and its role in the group with a substantive analysis of POV, if possible.

Second paragraph
o Topic sentence to introduce your second group and related

argument. Your goal is to introduce the documents into evidence that will support your thesis is this group. o Discuss Document D and discuss its relationship to your thesis and its role in the group with a substantive analysis of POV, if possible. o Discuss Document E and discuss its relationship to your thesis and its role in the group with a substantive analysis of POV, if possible. o Discuss Document F and discuss its relationship to your thesis and its role in the group with a substantive analysis of POV, if possible.

Third paragraph
o Topic sentence to introduce your third group and related

argument. Your goal is to introduce the documents into evidence that will support your thesis is this group. o Discuss Document G and discuss its relationship to your thesis and its role in the group with a substantive analysis of POV, if possible. o Discuss Document H and discuss its relationship to your thesis and its role in the group with a substantive analysis of POV, if possible. o Discuss Document I and discuss its relationship to your thesis and its role in the group with a substantive analysis of POV, if possible.

Restate your position and main ideas that you presented in your essay. Add any new historical insights, but avoid contradicting your thesis in the conclusion. Be consistent in your interpretations. Incorporate outside historical knowledge to broaden the scope of your essay, if you are familiar with this historical area. Do not take risks by guessing . Be sure to identify and explain the need for an appropriate additional document or source.