Writing a DBQ
AP World History
DBQ Analysis and
Organization
DBQ #3
RELIGION and GEOGRAPHY
DBQ STEP 1:
Analyzing the Prompt
Q
U Religions of common geographic origins tend to differ
from those that originate in other areas of the world.
E
S How do religions having common geographic origins
T tend to share somewhat common codes of behavior and
views of the nature and reason for existence?
I
O
N
What is the prompt (question) asking for?
What regions are we
looking for?
What are the “rules” or
accepted behavior codes?
Why do “humans”
exist? Why were they
put on earth?
Historical Background
There were three great geographic centers of
religious origin: southwestern Asia
(Islam, Judaism, Christianity), south Asia
(Hinduism, Buddhism), and east Asia
(Confucianism, Taoism).
Obvious categories have been provided in the
supplemental material
Regions
OR
Religions
Use everything
available!
DBQ STEP 2: Organizing
the Information
Analysis and Organization
Develop a table or chart
Certain pieces of
information
(“universals”) will be
the same for every
DBQ
• Document
number
• Major point of
the document
• Point of view
• Information
needed
Your Table
DOC
SWA
SA EA
B
R4E
NEED
GEOGRAPHIC AREAS
Southwest Asia = SWA
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
In addition to the
“universal” categories,
we’ll add…
South Asia = SA
East Asia = EA
SPECIFIC PROMPT
Codes of behavior = B
Nature and reason for
existence = R4E
We know what to look
for in the documents,
now we determine
how they are linked.
DBQ STEP 3:
The Documents
Your Table
DOC
SWA
SA EA
B
R4E
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
Let’s look at the documents
one at a time.
Number, location, specific behavior
noted? (Include specifics in major concept)
Reason for existence? (Include specifics in
major concept)
Complete each document,
separated by a line.
DOCUMENT 1
Source: The Bhagavad Gita, (8.03) (Hindu)
The Supreme Lord said: Brahman is the Supreme
imperishable. The individual self (or Jeevaatrna) is called
Adhyaatma. The creative power that causes manifestation of
beings is called Karma.
The region is South Asia (SA)
It covers codes of acceptable behavior (Karma) (B)
The concept here is that individuals are no more than the
impression produced by their actions (Karma is the controlling
factor). This would be codes of acceptable behavior (B), good
and bad Karma. There is an emphasis on the effect of events
on the individual, but does not link to the Supreme Lord. The
point of view is that of a devout believer taking a position of
faith (generally difficult to offer secular rationales). There is a
need to know more about the “Supreme Lord”—is it one of
many or a single entity as with monotheistic beliefs?
DOCUMENT 1
Your Table
DOC
#1
SWA
SA EA
x
B
R4E
NEED
x
Need a clarification
of “Supreme
Lord”— Is it one god
or one of many?
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
There is a
Follower
supreme being,
with a
specific but the essence of
the individual is a
view
result of Karma
based
upon
religious
literature
DOCUMENT 2
Source: Qu’ran: Surah 1 (Islam)
In the name of Allah. the Beneficent, the Merciful.
[1.1] All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.
[1.2] The Beneficent, the Merciful.
[1.3] Master of the Day of Judgment.
[1.4] Thee do we serve and Thee do we beseech for help.
[1.5] Keep us on the right path.
[1.6] The path of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed
favors. Not (the path) of those upon whom Thy wrath is
brought down, nor of those who go astray.
The region is Southwestern Asia (SWA)
Existence is based on pleasing the god (R4E)
DOCUMENT 2
This document is more specific as to the importance of the
specific god and making that god happy with an individual’s
actions. There is less of a sense of the influence of
“surroundings” and more of an emphasis on pleasing a
central authority and knowing what that authority desires.
The point of view is again that of a devout believer taking a
position of faith.
DOCUMENTS 1 & 2
Your Table
DOC
SWA
SA EA
x
#1
B
R4E
NEED
x
Need a clarification
of “Supreme
Lord”— Is it one god
or one of many?
#2
x
x
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
There is a
Follower
supreme being,
with a
specific but the essence of
the individual is a
view
result of Karma
based
upon
religious
literature
Devout
believer
taking a
position
of faith
based on
religious
text
Single god,
importance of
making that
god happy with
an individual’s
actions
DOCUMENT 3
Source: The Analects of Confucius, 1.6 (Chinese)
1:6 Confucius said: “A young man should serve his parents at
home and be respectful to elders outside his home. He should be
earnest and truthful, loving all, but become intimate with
humaneness. After doing this, if he has energy to spare, he can
study literature and the arts.”
The region is East Asia (EA)
The document covers codes of acceptable behavior (Respect
for elders, be truthful) (B)
This document also stresses the influence of “surroundings”
and the idea that one should give weight or emphasis to
experience and age as opposed to a single supreme source.
Even the “spare energy” is directed to pursuits rather than to
a “supreme” guidance.
DOCUMENT 3
Your Table
DOC
#3
SWA
SA EA
B
x x
R4E
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
Experience,
respect for
elders; no
emphasis on a
god
DOCUMENT 4
Source: Samyutta Nikaya LVI.11 (Buddhist)
Bhikkhus, these two extremes ought not to be cultivated by one
gone forth from the house-life. What are the two? There is devotion
to indulgence of pleasure in the objects of sensual desire, which is
inferior, low, vulgar, ignoble, and leads to no good; and there is
devotion to self-torment, which is painful, ignoble and leads to no
good.
The middle way discovered by a Perfect One avoids both these
extremes; it gives vision, it gives knowledge, and it leads to peace,
to direct acquaintance, to discovery, to nibbana.
And what is that middle way? It is simply the noble eightfold path,
that is to say, right view, right intention, right speech, right action,
right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration.
That is the middle way discovered by a Perfect One, which gives
vision, which gives knowledge, and which leads to peace, to direct
acquaintance, to discovery, to nibbana.
DOCUMENT 4
The region is East Asia (EA)
The document covers codes of acceptable behavior (Middle
path) (B)
The document does not make clear the meaning of Bhikkhus,
but we do see again how an individual’s surroundings
influence decisions. A “Perfect One” focuses on a balance of
the extremes, not on a commitment to a “supreme” direction.
Answers center on a prescribed path of action, but are not
directly linked to divine control.
We are now starting to see a pattern of central direction by a
supreme authority and a “path” influenced by earthly
surroundings. Although the documents from south and east
Asia provide vague references to a supreme direction, they
tend to focus more on the importance of choices within an
individual’s environment.
DOCUMENTS 3 & 4
Your Table
DOC
SWA
SA EA
R4E
NEED
x x
#3
#4
B
x
x
Need a clarification
of “Bhikkhus”—how
does it relate to
context?
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
Experience,
respect for
elders; no
emphasis on a
god
Description of
two paths for an
individual; the
middle way is
best; no
controlling god
DOCUMENT 5
Source: Genesis 1:26–27 (Judaism/Christianity)
[26] Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our
likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the
sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and
over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that
creeps upon the earth.”
[27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God
he created him; male and female he created them.
The region is Southwestern Asia (SWA).
Existence is based on “managing” creation (R4E).
Again, the document centers on control and “authorization”
granted by a supreme being. There’s a sense of passing
authority or dominion to humans, but no sense of balance or
options exercised by humans in relation to their surroundings.
This directly contrasts belief systems emphasized by south and
east Asian groups. The point of view is again that of a devout
believer taking a position of faith, justified by religious text.
DOCUMENT 5
Your Table
DOC
#5
SWA
x
SA EA
B
R4E
x
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
Devout God gives power
believer
to humans to
taking a manage Creation
position
of faith
based on
religious
text
DOCUMENT 6
Source: John. 1: 1–11 (Christianity)
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
[2] He was in the beginning with God;
[3] all things were made through him, and without him was not
anything made that was made.
[4] In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
[5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not
overcome it.
[6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
[7] He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all
might believe through him.
[8] He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.
[9] The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the
world.
[10] He was in the world, and the world was made through him,
yet the world knew him not.
[11] He came to his own home, and his own people received him not.
DOCUMENT 6
The region is Southwestern Asia (SWA).
Again, reason for existence is to fulfill the edicts of the creator (B).
In this document, there is a similar sense of vagueness as to the
meaning of the “Word,” but the document quickly establishes an
image of a central controlling authority who has prescribed a
“path”—similar to what we saw in documents 2 and 5. This
document also introduces a new element—a “messenger” sent to
enlighten, but whose “message” might not always be accepted. The
point of view is again that of a devout believer taking a position of
faith, justified by religious text and not subject to earthly
interpretation (as in the case of Buddha and Confucius). Again,
note the difference in the approach: one stresses direction by a
central authority, the other focuses on achieving a balance or
“harmony” with existing realities.
DOCUMENTS 5 & 6
Your Table
DOC
SWA
SA EA
B
R4E
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
#5
x
x
Devout God gives power
believer
to humans to
taking a manage Creation
position
of faith
based on
religious
text
#6
x
x
Devout
believer
taking a
position
of faith
based on
religious
text
Describes God
and the Word;
indicates that
messengers are
sent to provide
guidance, but
are not always
accepted
DOCUMENT 7
Source: Tao Te Ching (Chinese)
The Way that can be experienced is not true;
The world that can be constructed is not real.
The Way manifests all that happens and may happen;
The world represents all that exists and may exist.
To experience without abstraction is to sense the world;
To experience with abstraction is to know the world.
These two experiences are indistinguishable;
Their construction differs but their effect is the same.
Beyond the gate of experience flows the Way,
Which is ever greater and more subtle than the world.
The region is East Asia (EA).
The document covers codes or rules for understanding the
balance between real and abstract concepts for a more complete
existence (B).
DOCUMENT 7
Although Document 7 refers to a “Way,” it doesn’t attribute
this knowledge to a supreme authority but to a balance
between the real and the abstract. This continues a common
theme of balance between two contending concepts.
Consistent with Confucian philosophy, experience rather than
supreme guidance is the key. Documents 1, 3, 4, and 7 now
form a grouping based on ideology and geographical locations,
and they are linked by sensitivity to surroundings and an
understanding of one’s environment. They also have a limited
focus on a powerful central authority providing a specific path.
These documents also put less of an emphasis on a rigid point
of view linked to the writings of a specific deity.
DOCUMENT 7
Your Table
DOC
#7
SWA
SA EA
B
x x
R4E
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
Refers to a
balance between
the “real” and
the “abstract,”
and that
experience is
key (same as
Confucianism)
DOCUMENT 8
Source: Surah 69, The Qur’an. (Islam)
[69.13] And when the trumpet is blown with a single blast,
[69.14] And the earth and the mountains are borne away and
crushed with a single crushing.
[69.15] On that day shall the great event come to pass,
[69.16] And the heaven shall cleave asunder, so that on that
day it shall be frail,
[69.17] And the angels shall be on the sides thereof; and above
them eight shall bear on that day your Lord’s power.
[69.18] On that day you shall be exposed to view-- no secret of
yours shall remain hidden.
[69.19] Then as for him who is given his book in his right hand,
he will say: Lo! read my book:
[69.20] Surely I knew that I shall meet my account.
[69.21] So he shall be in a life of pleasure,
[69.22] In a lofty garden,
DOCUMENT 8
The region is Southwestern Asia (SWA).
Again, reason for existence is to emulate the model prescribed
in the teachings (B).
This final document again establishes the importance of
supreme guidance and direction. In addition, it emphasizes
that human actions are being monitored and will be exposed in
a final accounting. The “book” provides the path and the
document stresses that there should be no deviation from the
path. Point of view again centers on the infallibility of the
religious text. Documents 2, 5, 6, and 8 all promote this view,
while also emphasizing the importance of a central authority
to provide humans with the “proper” path.
DOCUMENTS 7 & 8
Your Table
DOC
SWA
B
R4E
NEED
P of V
x
MAJOR CONCEPT
Refers to a
balance between
the “real” and
the “abstract,”
and that
experience is
key (same as
Confucianism)
x x
#7
#8
SA EA
x
Devout
believer
taking a
position
of faith
based on
religious
text
There will be a
final judgment;
heaven and the
alternative; God
sees all and will
assess your
actions as
directed by the
“book”
GROUPINGS
Documents 1, 3, 4, and 7
Documents 1, 3, 4, and 7 follow a general pattern of
emphasizing the importance of worldly surroundings. The
“path” focuses on balance and experience as the goal. Rather
than emphasizing a supreme dictate, the documents stress an
evolving understanding of “man’s” relationship to the reality
of his surroundings. In terms of how we define religion, the
ideologies associated with the south and east Asian
geographical regions seem to be more philosophical and
flexible to interpretation.
GROUPINGS
Documents 2, 5, 6, and 8
Documents 2, 5, 6, and 8 center on the religions based in
southwestern Asia (Islam, Judaism, and Christianity), and
they promote a concept of central supreme authority guiding
“man” on the proper path through the use of religious texts.
Human existence is centered on catering to the dictates of this
authority. The documents also tend to consistently express a
specific point of view based upon the religious text.
Your Table
DOC
SWA
x
#1
#2
SA EA
B
R4E
x
x
x
x x
x
x
#3
#4
#5
x
x
#6
x
x
x x
#7
#8
x
x
GROUPINGS
All documents reflect a
specific region.
All documents describe
existence as based upon
following the dictates of a
single controlling authority.
All documents are associated
with religious texts and present
a very rigid analysis of an
individual’s responsibilities.
Your Table
DOC
SWA
x
#1
#2
SA EA
B
R4E
x
x
x
x x
x
x
#3
#4
#5
x
x
#6
x
x
x x
#7
#8
x
x
GROUPINGS
All documents reflect a
specific region.
All documents describe codes
of behavior that lead to a
beneficial existence.
All documents place less
emphasis on a single deity that
controls and monitors human
actions, focusing instead on
individuals’ interactions with
their surroundings.
TOPIC SENTENCE
1st paragraph
Documents 2, 5, 6, and 8 center on
southwest Asia and religions that stress the
importance of a single god.
The “fill-in” sentences will contain
specific references to each document that
support its use.
DBQ STEP 4: Needs,
Thesis, and Review
WHAT’S MISSING?
Is there additional information
that would be valuable?
Although the question seeks a link between
religion and geography, there are no documents
indicating how religious beliefs and practices fit
with physical surroundings. Can geography help
explain, justify, or somehow offer a method of how
people dealt with their surroundings? What
geographical characteristics might have produced
similarities between each of the religions for that
specific region?
THESIS AND CONCLUSION
IS THERE…
A PATTERN?
A RATIONALE
or CONCEPT?
A QUESTION
or DILEMMA?
Do you need other
information?
Is there an opposing
view?
Then you have a
thesis
EXAMPLE
Religions associated with
southwestern Asia center on a
single supreme authority and
seem to be more dogmatic and
less flexible regarding
interpretation.
Religions associated with the
south and east Asia seem to be
more philosophical in nature,
less dogmatic, and ultimately
more flexible regarding
interpretation.
PROCEDURE
1 DISSECT THE QUESTION OR PROMPT
•
•
What does the prompt require?
Use all of the information available
2 USE A TABLE OR CHART TO ORGANIZE
•
•
Universal categories
Specific categories
3 GROUP AND LINK DOCUMENTS
4 DEVELOP A TOPIC SENTENCE
•
•
Body paragraphs
Fill-in sentences
5 DEVELOP A THESIS AND A CONCLUSION
•
Links to prior knowledge
QUESTION: ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
DOC
NEED
NAME: ____________________________________
DATE:______________ PER:____
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT