How to Write a DBQ Essay for the AP Exam
We have gone over in class strategies for writing a DBQ essay numerous times. In the hopes of
making this process as clear as possible, here is a brief review of the strategies we’ve discussed.
1. Read the question carefully. Underline key words or phrases.
2. Make certain that you understand what the question is asking. Sometimes there isn’t an actual
question, but rather you are asked to assess the validity of a statement or historical
generalization. In this case, you should formulate a question. It is a useful strategy to formulate
a question in the form of “To what extent, and for what reasons…” or a question that begins
with “Why…”
3. For example, if the question reads as follows:
Historians have traditionally labeled the period after the War of 1812 the "Era of Good
Feelings." Evaluate the accuracy of this label, considering the emergence of nationalism
and sectionalism.
You can rephrase this as the following:
To what extent, and for what reasons, could the period after the War of 1812 be
considered an “Era of Good Feelings”?
Notice that the “and for what reasons” clause in your question is the Why? portion of the
question – you must make sure to answer that!
Also, even though I didn’t include the terms nationalism and sectionalism in my question,
make sure that you include those terms in your essay!
4. Using the question as a guide, “brainstorm” any relevant information pertaining to the topic or
question. IN this case, you might make two columns (notice that I have now included
nationalism and sectionalism in my organization):
“Era of Good Feelings” accurate =
nationalism
“Era of Good Feelings” NOT accurate =
sectionalism
Do NOT look at documents before you have done some initial brainstorming. It is a useful
strategy to think about the question before you read the documents.
5. Now, read through the documents, underlining important phrases and jotting down “outside
information” or ideas you have about the document or question in the margins. Place the
document letters into your brainstorming columns or outline.
6. Formulate a preliminary thesis. It doesn’t have to be perfectly worded at this point, but your
should know what side of the argument you will be defending. In this case, you should decide if
you think the label “Era of Good Feelings” IS or IS NOT an accurate label, and you should have
a good idea as to WHY the label is or is not accurate.
A good thesis MUST:
 Answer the question!
 Take a position
 Not be a restatement of the question
A good thesis SHOULD:
 Concede the other side of the argument, i.e., “Although …” clause
 Be one, concise statement
7. Brainstorm a few key points for your introduction and conclusion.



A good introduction will present the historical background of the topic and provide a
historical context for the essay. In this case, you could talk about divisions in American
society, leading up to the so-called “Era of Good Feelings.”
A good conclusion does more than summarize what you have already written. Rather, the
final paragraph should discuss the historical implications of whatever you’ve just written
about. In this case, you might want to discuss how the divisions during the “Era of Good
Feelings” would eventually lead to the Civil War.
In essence, your introduction moves back in time, and your conclusion moves forward in
time.
8. Now write your introduction. Your thesis should be the last sentence of your introduction.
9. Write at least two paragraphs that support your thesis. Try to begin each supporting paragraph
with a “concept statement”—not just a topic sentence. A concept sentence is a “mini-thesis” for
that paragraph—it is what you will be proving in the paragraph.
10. Write one concession paragraph. Remember, you want to make it clear to your reader that you
understand the opposing viewpoint, but that you have more evidence for your viewpoint.
11. Write your conclusion.
12. With any remaining time, proofread your essay. Most importantly, make sure that your thesis is
clear and appears in your introduction. If the reader cannot find the thesis, she will NOT
continue reading!