NAME: ___________________________ PERIOD: ________ DATE: _____________
AP EUROPEAN HISTORY DBQ RUBRIC
BASIC CORE(Shows competence)
Points
1) Provides an appropriate, explicitly
stated thesis that directly addresses
all parts of the question
1
2) Demonstrates understanding of
the basic meaning of all the
documents. (May misinterpret one
document.)
1
3) Supports thesis with appropriate
interpretations(evidence) from all the
documents.
4) Analyzes point of view in at least
four documents.
5) Analyzes documents by grouping
them in three ways, depending on the
question
6) Discusses all of the documents
individually and specifically.
1
1
EXPANDED CORE(Shows excellence)
Points
Expanded beyond the basic core of
1 to 6 points. A student MUST
earn six points in the basic core
area BEFORE earning points
from the expanded core area.
Students may earn from 0 to 3
points by doing any of the
following:

Has a clear, analytical and
comprehensive thesis.

Shows careful and insightful
analysis of the documents.

Uses documents persuasively as
evidence.

Analyzes point of view in most
or all documents.

Analyzes the documents in
additional ways – groupings,
comparisons, syntheses.

Brings in relevant “outside”
historical content.
1
1
0-3

Shows understanding of the
nuances in the documents
SUBTOTAL
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Thesis/intro: complex-split __; complex-simple ___; split-simple ___; simple ___; too much info __
____ Introduction contains vague or “wasted” sentences
____ Essay contains vague statements or generalizations not supported by facts.
____ Strong conclusion ____ Weak conclusion
____ No Conclusion
____ Strong topic sentences
____ Improve topic sentences ____ Good linking sentences
____ Don’t use “I” statements
____ Don’t use “I,” “our,” “we,” “us,” “you,” etc.
____ Don’t connect issues to “today” (unless asked)____ Don’t use “flowery” or colloquial style
____ Poor spelling and grammar
____ Poor penmanship: essay difficult to read
GRADES: 9=97, 8=92, 7=87, 6=82, 5=77, 4=72, 3=67, 2=62, 1=57, 0=50
+1
NAME: ___________________________ PERIOD: ________ DATE: _____________
AP EUROPEAN HISTORY FRQ ESSAY RUBRIC
BASIC CORE (Shows competence)
Points
1) Provides an appropriate, explicitly
stated thesis that directly addresses
all parts of the question
1
2) Addresses all parts of the question
thoroughly and evenly.
2
EXPANDED CORE (Shows excellence)
Points
Expands beyond the basic core of 1
to 6 points. A student MUST earn
seven points in the basic core area
BEFORE earning points from the
expanded core area below.

0-3
Has a clear, analytical and
comprehensive thesis.
 Addresses
all parts of the
question (as relevant):
comparisons, chronology,
causation, connections, themes,
interactions, content.
3) Substantiates the thesis with
appropriate and specific evidence.
2
 Provides
ample historical
evidence to substantiate thesis.

Relates discussions to larger
global context.
 Consistently
4) Is well-organized and thoughtful.
analyzes the causes
and effects of relevant historical
argument.
1

Makes several direct
explanations and connections of
all sides of historical arguments.
SUBTOTAL
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Thesis/intro: complex-split __; complex-simple ___; split-simple ___; simple ___; too much info __
____ Introduction contains vague or “wasted” sentences
____ Essay contains vague statements or generalizations not supported by facts.
____ Strong conclusion ____ Weak conclusion
____ No Conclusion
____ Strong topic sentences
____ Improve topic sentences ____ Good linking sentences
____ Don’t use “I” statements
____ Don’t use “I,” “our,” “we,” “us,” “you,” etc.
____ Don’t connect issues to “today” (unless asked)____ Don’t use “flowery” or colloquial style
____ Poor spelling and grammar
____ Poor penmanship: essay difficult to read
GRADES: 9=97, 8=92, 7=87, 6=82, 5=77, 4=72, 3=67, 2=62, 1=57, 0=50
+1