WRITING A DBQ:
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AP U.S. History
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What Is a DBQ?
• An essay question that asks you to take a
position on an issue that has several
possible answers
• No “right” or “correct” response
• You must craft a thesis based on your own
knowledge and your interpretation of the
evidence presented
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DBQ Documents
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Charts, graphs, and maps
Newspaper articles/editorials
Speeches
Letters
Diaries
Laws
Treaties
Executive orders
Editorial cartoons
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Effectively use at least 80% of the
documents
• In order to use a document effectively, you must:
– Indicate its significance (what does it represent? What
does it reveal about the topic?)
– Provide factual “outside” information surrounding the
document (information that is not explicitly provided in
the document)
• Ex: Salem Witch Trials (Mary Easty & Petition for Bail
documents)
– Discuss the two teenage girls who started it, their motives, how many
people died, etc)
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Two-sentence direct quote maximum
• If you quote a statement from a document, keep it
short!
• The person grading your essay already read the
documents. So don’t rewrite large chunks of them.
• ALWAYS explain the importance of a quote that you
included in your essay.
• Never end a paragraph with a long quote.
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Prompt Analysis Format
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The Question
• Read the question carefully,
then think about the following:
• What is the essence of the question?
• Is it a yes/no, “to what extent,” or “compare
and contrast” question?
• Does it have more than one part?
• Are there bullets provided?
• Is there a choice of responses?
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Date Parameters
• Does the question state specific dates? What
are they?
• If no specific date parameters are given, set
ones of your own
• List presidents of the period (if applicable)
• Put the question in chronological context of
the events and culture of the period
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Construct a Database
• Use a database to organize outside information you
know that may be relevant to the question
• Write down headings on the back of your test
booklet
• Create the database before you read the documents
• Next, read the documents and add any other info to
your database that occurs to you
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