THE DOCUMENT BASED QUESTION
(DBQ)
DOCUMENT BASED QUESTION (DBQ)
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Are provided with a essay prompt as well as
several primary documents to use as
RESOURCES for writing the essay.
Same requirements as an FRQ in that looking for
a solid thesis, analysis, and substantial support.
DBQs are NOT essays about the documents –
focus on answering the question.
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Think of them as FRQs but with some extra help…
you still need the basic ingredients for a cake, but
now you can add sprinkles and icing 
GENERIC RUBRIC FOR DBQ
Contains a clear and well-developed thesis
 Understands complexity of question; analyzes
rather than describes
 Supports thesis with substantial and relevant
information
 Shows superior analysis; displays wellreasoned cause and effect; evaluates historical
change; reaches fully supported conclusions
 May contain minor errors
 Analytical use of at least half the documents;
balances documents with outside information
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STEPS TO A SOLID DBQ
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Understand the question
Brainstorm relevant outside information
Take a look at the documents – what do you
know, what can you infer
Make connections between the documents and
the outside information (Doc. A relates to…)
Write a thesis – with clear categories and “so
what”
Organize your essay; determine what outside
information and documents will be used in each
paragraph
Write 
EXAMINING THE DBQ
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Analyze the ways in which technology, government policy, and
economic conditions changed American agriculture in the
period 1865-1900.
Provided Documents
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
Chart of Agricultural Prices
Map of Railroad growth
Excerpt from The Prairie Farmer
Photograph “The Wheat Harvest”
Excerpt of sharecropping contract
Excerpt from Harper’s Magazine
Excerpt from speech by Mary Elizabeth Lease
Excerpt from personal communication
Excerpt from Oklahoma Magazine
Excerpt from William Jennings Bryan’s Cross of Gold speech
THINKING ABOUT THE
DOCUMENTS
EVALUATING BODY PARAGRAPHS
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Analyze the ways in which technology,
government policy, and economic conditions
changed American agriculture in the period
1865-1900.
Category: Technology
Read each sample – What are your observations?
Which do you consider the strongest sample and why?
 How does each sample utilize the documents?
 How does each sample incorporate outside
information?
 Where do you see examples of analysis in each sample?
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EVALUATING BODY PARAGRAPHS
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Analyze the ways in which technology,
government policy, and economic conditions
changed American agriculture in the period
1865-1900.
Category: Government Policy
Read each sample – What are your observations?
Which do you consider the strongest sample and why?
 How does each sample utilize the documents?
 How does each sample incorporate outside
information?
 Where do you see examples of analysis in each sample?
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DBQ TIPS CONTINUED
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NEVER quote a document. The reader knows what it says,
they’re looking for how you can use it -- so focus on
including inferences derived from the document
Citing Documents
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It is best to parenthetically cite after using the document
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You can also make quick reference to the document in the
actual sentence
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blah blah blah (Doc A).
As argued in Document A, blah blah blah
John Smith captured the feelings of many colonists when he blah blah
blah
Pay attention to document information
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author, date, type of document
can assist with assessing potential bias, placing in historical
context, and determining purpose
documents are always provided in chronological order, which
is particularly helpful if essay asks you to contrast and/or
evaluate change over time
…TO CLOSE: SYNTHESIS PARAGRAPH
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Read the provided documents. Use at least two
documents in a paragraph that responds to the
following question:
Should the federal government pass a law
that bans all cell phone use while driving?