IN THE DBQ…
• All the information you need to complete
your essay is contained in the documents.
• It’s your job to organize, interpret, and
analyze these documents. It’s a skill you can
learn!
• During the AP exam, you have 50 minutes for
the DBQ: 10 minutes to prep & 40 minutes to
write.
THE FIRST 10 MINUTES:
READING AND ORGANIZING YOUR DBQ
• Read the prompt. Underline the time frame of the essay
(when it happened) and the direction words – the key words
or phrases of the prompt (or, the stuff you’re supposed to
write about)
THE FIRST 10 MINUTES:
READING AND ORGANIZING YOUR DBQ
Example: “Using the following documents, analyze responses
to the spread of influenza in the early twentieth century.”
• Time frame: early 20th century (1900s)
• Direction words: responses, spread of influenza
• You are being asked to show how people around the world
responded to the spread of the flu.
THE FIRST 10 MINUTES:
READING AND ORGANIZING YOUR DBQ
• After that – read the background information & all the documents. As you read, put the
documents into groups based on key factors, similarities, themes, etc.
• As you read, look for the viewpoint & message of each document. (Who is the author?
What is the document saying?)
• You always have to have at least 3 groups.
Characteristics for Grouping Documents (things the documents might share)
Gender of author
Nationality of author
Profession (job) of author
Time period
Pro/anti stance on issue
Religious/philosophical
viewpoint
Eye-witness
(first-hand accounts)
Second-hand accounts
(friend of a friend, etc)
Level of education
Idealist/realist outlook
Social class
Level of wealth
Class position in society
Native/foreigner status
Basic Core (Competence)
1-7 points
Points
1. Has an acceptable thesis.
1
2. Understands the basic meaning of the
documents
(May misinterpret one document)
1
3. Supports thesis with appropriate evidence
from all documents.
(All but one document = 1 point)
2
4. Analyzes point of view in at least two
documents.
1
5. Analyzes documents by grouping them in three
ways.
1
6. Identifies and explains the need for one type of
appropriate additional document or source.
1
Expanded Core
(Excellence) 2 points
Expands beyond the basic core
requirements of 1 to 7 points. A
student must earn 7 points in the
basic core area before earning
points in the expanded core area.
Examples:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Has a clear, analytical, and
comprehensive thesis.
Shows careful and insightful analysis
of the document.
Uses documents persuasively as
evidence.
Analyzes point of view in most/all
documents.
Analyzes the documents in additional
ways – groups, comparisons,
syntheses.
Brings in relevant “outside” historical
content.
Explains why additional types of
documents or sources are needed.
THESIS STATEMENTS
(IN YOUR INTRO PARAGRAPH)
• The thesis of your essay will be the answer to the question you
have constructed. It can be more than one sentence, AND it must
include WHY that is the answer to the question.
• It must address the terms of the question (why) and set up the
structure for the rest of the essay.
• Your answer (thesis) should take into account all sides of the
issue. Stronger essays show analysis of the issue from different
perspectives.
• Remember, every single sentence of your essay should support
your thesis.
THEN, THE REST OF YOUR ESSAY…
• Each body paragraph is about one of your 3+ groups of
sources. This grouping shows you get the basic meaning of
the documents (1 pt.) & gets you the point for groups (1 pt.)
• Use the documents as evidence to support your thesis by
explaining & analyzing them (2 pts.)
THEN, THE REST OF YOUR ESSAY…
• Analyzes Point of View in at least 2 documents = 1 pt.
• This is the trickiest one! Miss it and the highest you can get is a
6!
• We have more examples for you in the Point of View PPT, hold
on…
THEN, THE REST OF YOUR ESSAY…
• For one of your groups, identify/explain an additional
document or source that would be needed, and why = 1 pt.
• What voices are you missing that would better help you
support your thesis?
• Explain what type of doc, who would write it (general, no
names), and why it would be useful.
A DAZZLING DBQ IS LIKE A TASTY
HAMBURGER
THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
• The top bun of your
essay – 4 to 6 sentences
IN THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH…
1. Establish TIME & PLACE.
2. Create a clear, THESIS STATEMENT Answer the question.
3. List the SUB-TOPICS or categories you will use to support your
thesis statement.
4. Focus on the question at hand—do NOT begin with a “flowery”
or “cheesy” sentence! Never “ I am going to write about…” Or
… “for many reasons”!!!
5. No “laundry list!”
THESIS STATEMENTS
• The thesis of your essay will be the answer to the question you
have constructed. It can be more than one sentence, AND it
must include WHY that is the answer to the question.
• Your answer (thesis) should take into account all sides of the
issue. Stronger essays show analysis of the issue from different
perspectives.
• Remember, every single sentence of your essay should support
your thesis.
THE “MEAT” PARAGRAPHS
• The tasty part of your
essay
• 8-12 sentences+ per
paragraph – these can be
long
THE “MEAT” PARAGRAPHS
1. Make the 1st sentence of each paragraph your Topic Sentence.
(~paragraph thesis)
2. Include the documents that are relevant to support the ideas in the
paragraph.
3. Use all of the documents given.
4. Bring in supportive outside information. This is critical!!
* One way to get from a 7 to a 9!
5. Organize your docs w/ with your thoughts. What do they show about
the society that produced them?
6. Every sentence you write should have something to do with the
Thesis which is the answer to the question.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF ABOUT THE
DOCUMENTS
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.
Docs can be used in a variety of ways – think beyond what the words say!
HOW TO REFERENCE A DOCUMENT IN
YOUR ESSAY
1. Bernal Diaz del Castillo, in his book on the Conquest,
said: “………………….”
2. The Tlaxcalan Codex, an Aztec book recording history,
shows a…..
3. The Roman historian of 400 C.E., Ammianus
Marcellinus, felt that …………………. (Doc.
E)
NEVER begin with: In Document 3….
THE CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
• The bottom bun of your
essay (it holds it all
together)
• 3-4 sentences
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
1. Conclude by restating your thesis statement a bit
differently. (Don’t just repeat it word-for-word – explain the
main ideas one more time, in a sentence or two.)
2. Put your essay answer in a larger historical perspective.
End of some trend/movement/idea, etc.
Beginning of some trend/movement/idea
End of one & beginning of another.
Do NOT end on the note that this is the reason
we are where we are today!
DBQ STEPS
1. Evaluate the question.
2.
Graphic Organizer based on the question.
1. Outside Information
2. Document Placement?
2. Work the Documents
3.
4.
1. Go back to graphic organizer and add info/ place
docs/ or categorize docs = PES?
Thesis
Outline
5.
Just add grammar!
STEP 1 = Evaluate the question.
What IS the question asking me?????
What is the directive?
Analyze the differences and similarities between
the collapse of both the Roman and Aztec
Empires. Use the following areas:
Domestic
Foreign
Social
Step 1: What is the Topic?
Political
Economic
Social
Step 2: Put in the form of a question.
Step 1: Put in the form of a question
• What were the differences and similarities between the Roman and
Aztec Empires collapse?
Step 1: The exact time period
Analyze the differences and similarities between
the Roman World and the Aztec World in terms of
TWO of the following:
Domestic (Political Affairs)
Foreign (Invaders)
Social
WHEN? 400 – 500 C.E. and 1500 – 1530 C.E.
Step :2 Brainstorm ALL facts
Domestic/
Political
Roman
Aztec
Foreign
Social
Step 2
•
•
Brainstorm and list all facts that can possibly be
used in the essay. You may decide not to use all
the facts in the list, but it is better to have too
many facts than not enough.
Organize your facts, paying close attention to their
significance. Remember, using significant,
relevant facts will move an essay from a 2-4 to a 57.
Step 3: Thesis
• Your thesis is the ANSWER to the question you posed AND the thesis
must also include WHY that is the answer.
Thesis
•
•
•
The thesis of your essay will be the answer to the
question you have constructed. It can be more
than one sentence, AND it must include WHY that
is the answer to the question.
Your answer (thesis) should take into account all
sides of the issue. Stronger essays show analysis
of the issue from different perspectives.
Remember, every single sentence of your essay
should support your thesis.
Organize Your Thoughts
• Outline
• Pseudo Outline
• Number and letter your Graphic organizer and Docs
Outline
Thesis Statement:
Introduction
Includes your thesis. Your thesis for historical writing does not need to be one
sentence. You may take the paragraph if you wish.
First Topic Sentence
Evidence 1 ( Supporting Sentences)
Evidence 2
Evidence 3
Evidence 4
First Topic Sentence
Evidence 1 ( Supporting Sentences)
Evidence 2
Evidence 3
Evidence 4
First Topic Sentence
Evidence 1 ( Supporting Sentences)
Evidence 2
Evidence 3
Evidence 4
Conclusion
Refer back to your thesis
Sum up your essay.
Just Add Grammar
YOU
CAN
DO
IT!!