AP World History
Mrs. Rogers
Name: ___________________________________
DBQ ESSAY RUBRIC
Following is your grade for the DBQ essay response. Please note that the rubric descriptions are matched to the 0-9 scale for the DBQ
essay on the AP exam. While the AP exam scores essays on a 0-9 scale, I have added an additional point into the historical evidence/
addressing the question part of the rubric (see the back side of this paper for the generic comparative rubric).
Description
Raw Score Points
Contains a well-developed thesis that deals explicitly with the topic; Supports the thesis with
substantial, relevant information; exhibits superior analysis and historical evidence with
10
50
relevant comparison
As above; may contain some very minor content or accuracy errors
9
47
As above; may contain minor content or accuracy errors and/or effective
8
45
analysis/organization
Contains clear thesis that deals with the topic; supports the thesis with factual information;
7
43
effective analysis/organization; errors do no detract from overall cohesion of the essay
As above; thesis may have limited reference to the topic; factual information needs further
6
40
development, more examples and/or comparisons; analysis/organization needs clarification
As above; not enough examples and may have other problems (see below)
5
37
Lacks a thesis or thesis is confused/underdeveloped; lacks substantial supporting
4
35
information; factual information is minimal and/or confused; unclear analysis/organization;
may contain major errors that interfere with comprehension
As above; lacking even more information/analysis
3
33
Incomplete effort; no thesis or thesis does not address the question; exhibits inadequate
2
25
understanding of the question/topic; contains inappropriate or irrelevant information;
numerous errors
Not submitted
0
0
Grading Rubric for a DBQ Essay
BASIC CORE (competence)
0-7 Points
1. Has acceptable thesis
1 Point
2. Understands the basic meaning of documents. (May misinterpret one document.)
1-2 Point
3. Supports thesis with appropriate evidence from all documents.
2 Points
(Supports thesis with appropriate evidence from all but one document)
(1 Point)
4. Analyzes point of view in at least two documents
1 Point
5. Analyzes documents by grouping them in two or three ways, depending on the question
1-2 Point
6. Identifies and explains the need for one type of appropriate additional document or source
1 Point
EXPANDED CORE (excellence) (Historical skills and knowledge required to show excellence) Expands beyond
basic core of 1-7 points. A student must earn 7 points in the basic core area before earning points in the expanded core
area.Examples:
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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
Explains why additional types of document(s) or sources are needed
0-2 Points
Ways to Improve Your Score:
Follow the Color Coding in your essay to determine how you can improve your understanding
and score of the compare/contrast essay. The color numbers correspond to the “problems”
below. If you EVER have questions, please email me or talk to me. The only “dumb” mistake
is the one you keep making over and over again!
BLUE: THESIS
PURPLE: OVERALL WRITING (Doesn’t
1. Thesis merely restates the question
necessarily affect your grade, but could make your
2. Thesis is unclearly written
essay better!)
3. Thesis is too vague—I cannot tell what
1. Paragraph contains more than one point
the body paragraphs will be about
(make sure to focus in on the ONE claim
4. Thesis does not address ALL aspects of
that you are making in that paragraph)
the question (leaves out one of the
2. Organization is lacking in the paragraph
required choices)
(follow CEA—Claim, Evidence, Analysis)
5. Thesis does not present 3-4 coherent
3. Sentences are too long and complicated
groups.
4. Grammar problems
Spelling problems
ORANGE: ANALYSIS
PINK: EVIDENCE
1. Paragraph needs 2 or more docs.
1. Not all documents are used
2. Grouping must answer the question.
2. Each document must be used individually.
3. Analysis is missing entirely
You may not list two documents together.
4. Analysis is weak (does not fully analyze
3. Documents are misinterpreted
how the documents prove your point
4. Evidence does not fully support your claim.
and/or connect to the larger question)
It does not appear to relate to the claim of
5. Analysis does not relate to the claim of
your paragraph.
the paragraph or the main question asked
5. Document is overquoted (quotes should be
6. POV doesn’t identify who the source is
less than ~15 words).
(name, job, and specific characteristics).
6. The document is merely quoted without
7. POV does not analyze why the source is
context. There needs to be discussion in
biased/what his motives might be.
your own words as to its meaning.
8. POV does not describe the tone, intended
7. Paragraph contains conclusions that are not
audience or how the outcome may have
supported by evidence from the documents
influenced the author.
8. Evidence does not provide specific details
9. Additional doc is not a specific type.
from the documents.
10.Additional doc is not realistic.
9. Document number is not cited.
11.Additional doc does not explain what it
would help you prove.
TOTAL ______________________/10
TOTAL ______________________/50
GRADE _____________________
DOCS USED
1 _________
2 _________
3 _________
4 _________
5 _________
6 _________
7_________
8_________
9_________
10________