1920’s DBQ
Name ___________________________
ESSAY PROMPT
The 1920’s were a period of tension between new and changing attitudes on the one hand and
traditional values and nostalgia on the other. What led to the tension between old and new AND in
what ways was the tension manifested (noticeable)?
STEP 1
Decide what you are to do: read and highlight the prompt.
a. Task or directive words (compare, contrast, analyze, etc.) – Highlight in YELLOW.
b. Words that you MUST address in your essay (dates, times, places, persons) – Highlight in PINK
c. Social studies terms – nationalism, gender, revolution, social, etc. – Highlight in BLUE
STEP 2
Begin to organize outside information. Provide specific examples of historical information (people, events,
groups, etc.) that can help to answer the question. Complete the chart on the back. BE SPECIFIC.
STEP 3
Begin to analyze the documents. Complete the document analysis worksheet.
STEP 4
Analyze the outside information and documents. Are their categories that can help you to effectively
answer the question. Be sure to consider the key words from the question as a way to guide your
organizational pattern. Use the ESSAY PLANNING CHART to begin to organization process.
The question asks you to identify the differences between OLD AMERICA and NEW AMERICA in the
1920’s. List your examples under the correct title:
OLD AMERICA
NEW AMERICA