Tackling the
AP World History Exam
What is the DBQ?
► “Document
based question”
► You will be given multiple primary source
docs (6-10)
► You must read all of them, determine their
common link (and differences)
► Answer the question provided using
EVIDENCE and ANALYSIS from the ALL the
documents
What is the DBQ?
► You
must make at least 3 arguments (or
points)
► These arguments will be your body
paragraphs or your “groupings”
 Group the documents to support your
arguments
 i.e. Point 1: The shift from hunter-gatherer
societies to agriculture-based societies lead to
an increase in disease. Documents 1,5, and 7
prove this.
What is the DBQ?
► For
at least 2 of your points/arguments/body
paragraphs, you must discuss POV (point of view)
of the documents
 (We’ll discuss more)
► By
the end of your paragraph, you must request
additional documents at least once (preferably
twice)
 i.e. “It would be great to hear from a woman on this
point, were a valued part of Egyptian culture and
retained many rights that men had, such as...”
 (We’ll discuss more)
2004 DBQ Prompt
Based on the following documents,
analyze the spread of Buddhism in
China. What additional documents
would you need to evaluate the extent
of Buddhism's appeal in China?
Important Things to Know
►
1. Read carefully the question prompt and the
historical background. Underline the tasks demanded
and the terms which are unique to the question. Make sure
you understand EXACTLY what the question is asking
(social responses? economic impact? causes for
rebellion?). DO NOT MAKE UP YOUR OWN QUESTION!!!
►
2. Read the documents carefully.






a. Make sure that you understand the content of the document.
b. What is the author's Point of View (POV).
c. Where is the tension?
d. What is the origin of the document?
e. Is the document valid or is it hearsay?
f. If time, gender or age were changed would the person be saying
the same thing?
Important Things to Know
► 3.
► 4.
You must use all of the documents.
Do not simply cite the documents in
"laundry list" fashion. You should strive to
IMPOSE order on the documents. Find
groupings for the documents. Can they be
organized into three or four strong,
analytical points? What is the OVERALL
picture presented by the documents?
Important Things to Know
►
5. Your essay should be an ANALYSIS of the documents
and their content. You are demonstrating analysis if you
are doing the following:
 a. The essay contains a thesis which divides your answer into three
to four categories.
 b. The documents are used as evidence to support your thesis.
 c. Frequent reference is made to the terms of the
question. Constantly and consistently return to the question to
make sure that all of your points (evidence and analysis) go to
answer the question. Be certain that your answer is always
focused directly on the question. Do not drift afield.
►
6. Be certain that, if the question allows, you exploit all of
the following in writing your answer.
 a. Point of View (POV) is both indicated and discussed from several
angles. You must analyze at least TWO POVs in the essay.
 b. You request an additional document that (1) Represents a voice
that is missing and (2) could plausibly be found in history.
Sample “9” Thesis
As Buddhism spread from India to China beginning in
the first century C.E., it was met with mixed results. Many
Chinese accepted Buddhism and defended its policies while
others scrutinized Buddhism’s absence from past texts and
used it as a scapegoat for political and social problems. Still
others remained indifferent, wishing to meld the aspects of
belief systems in China to create a unique Chinese culture.
Documents 2 and 3 defend and support Buddhism in China,
while documents 4 and 6 scrutinize it and discourage its
spread. Documents 1 and 5 neither encourage nor
discourage the religions spread, but provide a third
perspective on how it should be dealt with. An additional
document that shows the actual numbers of converts to
Buddhism during this time, preferably in a graph, would be
useful in determining whether or not the worries of the
authors in documents against Buddhism were grounded.