Thesis Statement:
Answers the Question
Sets up what the Essay is going
to prove
Does not simply restate the
question
1. Establish TIME & PLACE.
2. Create a clear, THESIS STATEMENT.
[underline or highlight it!]
3. Allude to the SUB-TOPICS or
categories you will discuss to support
your thesis statement
No “laundry list!”
4. Focus on the question at hand—do
NOT begin with a “flowery” sentence!
FRUIT
The “tasty” part of your essay!
8-12 sentences+ per paragraph
1. Attribution  Who is this person?
2. Why might they be significant?
3. What is the point of view (POV) of the
author?
4. How reliable and accurate is the source?
5. What is the tone or intent of the document
author?
6. What other information does this document
call to mind? Use all available clues.
Remember, docs. can be used in a variety of ways!
1.Attribution: cite the author by
name, title, or position, if possible.
Why is this person and
document selected?
How does it help me answer
the question?
EXAMPLES:
John Tyler, an English writer,
said: “...”
A Dominican monk in Florence
described….
2. Authorial Point of View: you show
awareness that the gender, occupation,
class, religion, nationality, political
position or ethnic identity of the author
could influence his/her views.
How does this apply to the
question?
Why has the author written what
he/she has?
EXAMPLE:
Balthasar Rusow, a Lutheran
pastor, was naturally upset by
the celebration of a Saint’s
Day, since Lutherans don’t
venerate saints.
3. Reliability and accuracy of each
source referenced: you examine a
source for its reliability and accuracy
by questioning if the author of the
document would be in a position to be
accurate.
How might this help you answer
the question?
EXAMPLE:
Niccolo Machiavelli’s book on the
political tactics of a Renaissance
prince was probably accurate as
he observed the behavior of the
prince, Cesare Borgia, for many
years.
4. Tone or Intent of the Author:
you examine the text of a document
to determine its tone (satire, irony,
indirect commentary, etc.) or the
intent of the author. Especially
useful for visual documents, like art
work or political cartoons.
EXAMPLE:
In his great sculpture of
“David,” Michelangelo wanted to
convey the confidence, and even
arrogance, of Renaissance
Florence at the peak of its
cultural influence in 16 Europe.
5. Grouping of Docs. by Author:
you show an awareness that
certain types of authors, simply
by their authorship, will express
similar views when you group
documents by type of author.
EXAMPLE:
As Northern Renaissance
humanists, Erasmus, Sir
Thomas More, and Cervantes all
poked fun at the foibles and
scandals of late medieval
society as well as of their own.
LOOK FOR CHANGE OVER TIME
(COT)
• COME FROM A CHANGE
– SOCIALLY, POLITICALLY, ECONOMICALLY,
RELIGIOUSLY OR TECHNICALLY
– Pillip II, Louis XIV, and Joesph II
– Women in sciences
– Technology
– Does not happen quickly
• If documents are less than 50 years apart little chance
for (COT)
• More than 150 years very likely to have (COT)
1. Baldassare Castiglione, in The Handbook
of the Courtier, said: “………………….”
2. Erasmus of Rotterdam, a northern
Christian humanist, agreed with…
3. The 19c historian, Jacob Burkhardt,
felt that …………………. (Doc. 9)
NEVER begin with: In Document 3, …..
The “Bottom Bun” of your essay!
It holds it all together!
3-4 sentences
1. Start with a “concluding phrase.”
2. Restate your thesis statement a bit differently.
3. Put your essay answer in a larger historical
perspective.
End of some trend/movement/idea, etc.
Beginning
of some trend/movement/idea, etc.
End of one & beginning of another.
Do NOT end on the note that this is the
reason we are where we are today!
THE FOOTBALL DBQ
EXAMINING POINT OF VIEW
SITUATION DESCRIPTION:
The annual Ely Tigers versus Dillard Panthers football game was played
Friday night. Due to family commitments I was unable to attend the
game. The game was decided when Donnell Wilson caught a touchdown
pass on the last play of the 4th quarter giving Ely a 14-10 victory. Monday
morning when I arrived at school "everyone" was talking about the
"catch" and the victory. What I want to know is what REALLY happened
and just how great of a play this catch actually was. Throughout the day I
spoke to the following people in an attempt to obtain the truth. As I review
each source I must constantly ask myself "what is the validity of each
person's comment and what is their particular expertise in the area of
high school football.
DOCUMENT 1
Tom Robard, Newspaper Reporter, The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
The annual Ely--Dillard football game ended in dramatic fashion when
Donnell Wilson caught the game winning touchdown pass as time expired.
Wilson made a leaping catch and landed safely in the endzone capping an
improbable come from behind win for the Tigers.
(note: most high school game results are phoned into the newspaper
sports desk)
DOCUMENT 2
Donnell Wilson, Ely Wide Receiver who caught the winning pass
Did you see that catch?! I mean it was great! Man I knew I had
it! That D-back was nothing! I ran right by him and just reached
out and pulled it in. Focus, real focus!! We're number 1!!
DOCUMENT 3
Clayton Sheffield, Offensive Coach, Ely High School
Great catch! Unbelieveable! Donnell has heart and
no quit in him. When it mattered I knew he would
come through. He's tough, a real gamer! I had the
team focused. We were ready to play. Never a
doubt!
DOCUMENT 4
Jasmine McNeil, Ely Cheerleader Captain
It was a totally awesome catch! We won the game and, like
totally disgraced that other team. I knew we would win after our
half-time show, and we did! We rock! Go Ely! Those Dillard guys
had no chance. And you should have seen those Dillard girls!
Their cheers were sloppy and screechy. No wonder we won!!!
We're number 1!!
DOCUMENT 5
Mary Griffin, Ely teacher who attended the
game to watch her son play
Ely played real hard. The boys were great. It was
a great catch that won a hard fought game. The
noise in the stands after the game was
unbelievable. Everyone was hugging each other
and screaming.
DOCUMENT 6
Demetrius Johnson, Defensive back who
covered Donnell, Dillard High School
We were robbed. That guy never caught
the ball, he was lying there on the ground
and the ball fell in his hands. He pushed me
and the ref never saw nothing. Ely is
nothing but a bunch of cheats!
DOCUMENT 7
Mark Burton, Defensive Coach, Dillard High
School
What can I say? Demetrius played him real tight.
Ely ended up on the ground with the ball and
the touchdown. Some nights you just aren't
lucky, some you are.
DOCUMENT 8
Owen Dyson, Football Referee, excerpt from his
game report to the Florida High School Activities
Association
It was a clean and simple catch resulting in a
touchdown. No penalty was involved.
DOCUMENT 9
Robert Benson, Assistant Football Coach, University of
Nebraska. Excerpt from his scouting report.
#83 Donnell Wilson, Senior. Position: Wide Receiver.
Height: 5'6". Weight: 155. Comment: Has poor hands
and only average speed.