Name____________________
Per:_____ Date:___________
Tab: _Constitution/New Nation
Document Based Question PACKET 1
How Democratic Was Andrew Jackson?
I. Defining the question: How Democratic Was Andrew Jackson?
Based on what you already know/remember about this man or time period, how would
you answer the question?
Write the most thorough and comprehensive definition of DEMOCRACY that you can:
II. Background Essay: Read and draw a conclusion each of the four identified sections
of text covered in the background essay:
Boyhood:
Military Career:
Briefly generalize what you know about
Using the given details, draw one
Jackson’s childhood experiences.
conclusion about how Jackson was
viewed/acted while in the military.
Presidential Politics:
Briefly summarize what happened in the
election of 1824.
Ideas about Democracy:
(ends at “you to decide)
Draw a conclusion about how Jackson
finally got elected in 1828.
III. Document Analysis
Directions: In order to answer our inquiry question, you need to analyze the
documents. Read each document closely to determine its main idea. Does this
document show Jackson was democratic or undemocratic? Then, describe your
evidence: write a quote, describe an image or write a piece of data to prove the main
idea. Leave the “analytical category” blank until you have analyzed all the documents.
Use the DBQ squares to complete step IV.
Once you have completed step IV (all the analysis and the boxes below), proceed to
working on your thesis and writing a paragraph that helps you organize your thoughts
and information before tackling the outline/drafts/final paper!
IV. Document Organization:
Decide: How did Jackson run his presidency? Was he democratic with all people? Or
was he selective in his decisions about democratic practices? Each of the documents you
will see fall into specific categories of analysis called buckets. These will be the bucket
categories for your DBQ.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Skim over the documents. Identify the category to which each document relates:
Document Name and Letter
List the bucket into which each
document fits.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
2
What three analytical categories will you use in your essay?
Analytical category (buckets)
At least 2-3 documents to support
for EACH!
DO THE FOLLOWING AFTER YOU HAVE COMPLETED ALL OF STEP VI!!!
V. Write your original thesis (see rubric!) to answer the DBQ question, “How
Democratic Was Andrew Jackson?” Remember: you can say he was totally democratic,
totally undemocratic, or a little of both, depending on the buckets and documents you
choose AND how you write about them!
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VI. Prepare to Discuss: “How Democratic Was Andrew Jackson?”
Write a concise paragraph to answer to this question. Use evidence to support your
ideas. (this serves as a pre-write for your longer paper)
Due date for finished paper: ____________________
3
Grading: To score an A, you need to achieve all “Meets” and “Exceeds” (35 - 45 points)
To score a B, you need to have mostly “Meets” (30 – 34 points)
To score a C, you need to have almost all “Meets” and some “Progressing” (25 – 29 points)
Below 25 points: Does Not Meet Standards
Score
Criteria
Thesis
Shows Use
of Documents
Outside
Information
(Intro &
Conclusion)
Analysis and
Organization of
Evidence
Exceeds (8 – 9)
Progressing (3 – 4)
Initial (1 – 2)
0
A clear, well-developed thesis
responds directly to the prompt and
explains detailed and original
categories of analysis (buckets).
The thesis addresses the prompt
and introduces detailed/specific
categories of analysis (buckets).
The thesis addresses the prompt and
suggests or names general
categories of analysis (buckets).
A thesis/claim restates the prompt
and suggests a position.
Not
present.
Uses 6 or more documents
Uses at least 5 documents
Uses at least 4 documents
Uses fewer than 4 documents.
Not
present.
The essay supports the thesis with
substantial and relevant outside
information (6 to 7 pieces).
The essay supports the thesis with
some substantial and relevant
outside information (4 to 5
pieces).
The essay supports the thesis with a
few pieces of outside information
(3 to 4), or evidence that is of
questionable relevance.
Not
present.
The introduction and conclusion
are clear and mostly well
developed
The introduction and conclusion are
clear and somewhat developed
The essay attempts to support the
thesis with a little outside
information (1 to 2 pieces), or
evidence that is inaccurate or
irrelevant.
The organization of the essay is
clear, although it may be
predictable
The organization of the essay may
apparent but predictable
The organization of the essay is
simple
Categories of analysis are used to
effectively organize the essay.
Categories of analysis clearly
organize the essay, though they may
be imbalanced.
Categories of analysis are limited,
or one may be missing.
Ideas are often coherently
sequenced
Evidence of coherent sequencing of
ideas is apparent
Evidence is accurately described
and well analyzed. Evaluation of
most evidence connects it to the
thesis.
Evidence is accurately described;
some is analyzed or evaluated.
Language is competent
Language is adequate
Language shows a basic control
Sentences are varied and word
choice is varied and precise
Sentences are somewhat varied
and word choice is sometimes
varied and precise
Some sentence variety and
appropriate word choice
Sentences show a little variety
and word choice is appropriate
There are few, if any, errors to
distract the reader
There may be a few errors, but
they are rarely distracting
There may be some distracting
errors, but they do not impede
basic understanding
Errors may be distracting and
may occasionally impede
understanding
The introduction and conclusion are
effective, clear, and well developed
The organization of the essay is
clear. Categories of analysis directly
and effectively support the thesis.
Ideas are coherently sequenced
Evidence is accurately described,
insightfully analyzed, and effectively
evaluated to connect to the thesis
statement.
The essay shows a good command
of language
Mechanics
Meets (5 – 7)
Consideration of the documents
primarily relies on source line,
factual accuracy, and some analysis
of main ideas.
An introduction and conclusion are
present but underdeveloped
Not
present.
Evidence is described with general
accuracy, but not analyzed or
evaluated.
Consideration of the documents
primarily relies on source line and
factual accuracy.
Not
present.