AP EUROPEAN HISTORY
DBQ SCORING GUIDE
Name
Basic Core: 1 point each to a total of 6 points
_____ 1.
Provides an appropriate, explicitly stated thesis that directly addresses all parts of the question.
Thesis may no simply restate the question.
_____ 2.
Discusses a majority of the documents individually and specifically.
_____ 3.
Supports thesis with appropriate interpretations of a majority of the documents.
_____ 4.
Demonstrates understanding of a majority of the documents by using them to support an
argument. (May misinterpret no more than one document.)
_____ 5.
Analyzes bias or point of view in at least three documents.
_____ 6.
Analyzes documents by explicitly organizing them in at least three appropriate groups.
Expanded Core: 1 to 3 points to a total of 9 points.
Expands beyond basic core of 1-6. The basic score of a 6 must be achieved before a student can earn
expanded core points.
Examples:
 Has a clear, analytical, and comprehensive thesis.
 Addresses all parts of the question thoroughly.
 Uses documents persuasively as evidence.
 Shows understanding of nuances in the documents.
 Analyzes bias or point of view in at least four documents cited in the essay.
 Analyzes the documents in additional ways - additional groupings or other.
 Brings in relevant “outside” historical content.
_______ Expanded Core Points
Total Points for DBQ: _____
Grade = ____/50
AP EUROPEAN HISTORY
DBQ SCORING GUIDE
Basic Core: 1 point each to a total of 6 points
_____ 1.
_____ 2.
_____ 3.
_____ 4.
_____ 5.
_____ 6.
Provides an appropriate, explicitly stated thesis that directly addresses all parts of the question.
Thesis may no simply restate the question.
 Without this point, you are also ineligible for #3.
Discusses a majority of the documents individually and specifically.
 If an EVEN number of documents is given, you must use MORE than half. (i.e. Use 7 of
12 documents)
 Be sure to attribute credit to the documents by author’s name and document # (MLA
citation.)
 Without this point, you are also ineligible for #3 and #4.
Supports thesis with appropriate interpretations of a majority of the documents.
Demonstrates understanding of a majority of the documents by using them to support an
argument. (May misinterpret no more than one document.)
 Explicitly talk about how each document supports an argument. Simply paraphrasing or
quoting is not enough.
Analyzes bias or point of view in at least three documents.
 This must be done individually for each document.
 You may analyze the POV of the writer or the POV described by the writer.
 If something is an “official document,” recognizing that fact counts as POV.
Analyzes documents by explicitly organizing them in at least three appropriate groups.
 Try for subgroups within your main groupings. Be sure to explicitly acknowledge the
transition to a subgroup, through a clear topic sentence, even if you are not changing
paragraphs.
Expanded Core: 1 to 3 points to a total of 9 points.
Expands beyond basic core of 1-6. The basic score of a 6 must be achieved before a student can earn
expanded core points.
Examples:
 Has a clear, analytical, and comprehensive thesis.
 Addresses all parts of the question thoroughly.
 Uses documents persuasively as evidence.
 Shows understanding of nuances in the documents.
 Analyzes bias or point of view in at least four documents cited in the essay.
 Analyzes the documents in additional ways - additional groupings or other.
 Brings in relevant “outside” historical content.
OTHER POINTS RAISED:
 You need to write this as a formal essay. Avoid slang and abbreviations, including b/c, w/in, and
govt. (This is not a text message.) The only abbreviation that was noted as acceptable was HRE for
Holy Roman Empire, and that is only if it is written out the first time.
 The introduction in a DBQ should begin with a setting statement (time & place), include outside
and/or background information relevant to the time period, and conclude with the thesis.
 You should have some sort of conclusion, even if it is a restatement of your thesis in different
words, to prove that you are carrying a single argument throughout the essay.