1. Suggestions for Success in Advanced Placement World History
How To Write a DBQ
Suggestions for Success in Advanced Placement World History
Common themes?

2. Overview of the National Exam
The national APWH exam is broken into two major sections:
Section 1: Part A (55 minutes)
55 multiple choice questions
40%
Section 1: Part B (40 minutes)
3 SAQ
Writer MUST answer the first two SAQ’s, however, the third SAQ is chosen from Questions 3 or 4. Writer’s choice
20%

3. Overview of the National Exam
The national APWH exam is broken into two major sections:
Section 2: Part A (60 minutes)
DBQ
25%
Section 2: Part B (40 minutes)
2 LEQ
Writer MUST answer one of the two LEQ’s. Writer’s choice
20%

4. Overview of Section 2: the Essays
For the essay section of the national exam, there will always be 3 essays (1 DBQ & 2 LEQs) however, you have a choice to write only one of the two LEQ’s:
The DBQ requires the use of both prior knowledge & document interpretation
The LEQs require only prior knowledge to answer
See examples of each…

5. Documents can be images, charts, quotations
Documents can be images, charts, quotations. There are usually between 6 or 7documents per DBQ. Each document includes a “source” that should be carefully examined.

6. DBQ Generic Rubric
Contains a well-developed thesis that clearly answers all parts of the question
Presents an effective analysis of all parts of the question, although treatment may be uneven
Uses substantial number of documents effectively
Uses substantial, relevant outside information to support the thesis
Clearly organized and well written
May have insignificant errors

7. Tips on Writing a DBQ (A summary of tips is provided)

8. DBQ Tips
There is no right way to answer a DBQ. Every question can illicit an infinite number of responses
The key is to make an argument (your thesis) & support it with evidence
All DBQs are written so that they can be argued from multiple viewpoints

9. DBQ Tips Be sure to answer the question
This begins by gaining a clear understanding of what the question is asking
Read the question three times & write it using your own words
Pay attention to all parts of the question, especially the verb (compare, evaluate, assess, to what extent, etc.) & time frame (stay inside the era)

10. DBQ Tips Brainstorm & outline your essay
Before you look at the docs or write your essay, take time to jot down what you know about the topic (PERSIA)
What is your gut response to the question? This is usually your thesis (argument)
What outside information do you remember about the topic?
Political, Economic, Religious, Social, Intellectual, Artistic trends of the era

11. DBQ Tips Organize your essay:
Chronological arguments are effective for questions that ask (or imply) change-over-time
Similarity/difference arguments are appropriate for comparison questions; Making direct comparisons within paragraphs is much more analytical than separate descriptive paragraphs about each item

12. DBQ Tips Introductory paragraph
Establish “time & place”; show the reader that you understand the importance of the era
Create an original thesis statement that clearly answers the question & does not simply restate the question asked
Allude to the sub-topics or categories you will discuss to support your argument

13. DBQ Tips Body paragraphs
Every body paragraph should be a sub-topic that supports your argument (thesis)
Begin & end each paragraph with an original argument
Include documentation AND outside information to support your body paragraph argument
Balance is important: 60% outside info & 40% docs

14. DBQ Tips
Documents
Do NOT quote, paraphrase, or describe documents. The essay reader already knows what the docs say
Do NOT laundry list (an essay that merely describes what the docs say without analysis)
Use all the docs, unless you don’t understand one
Cite documents…

15. NEVER begin with: In Document G…
Citing Documents
Thomas Paine, in his pamphlet, Common Sense (Doc A), was trying to…
Joe Shmoe, a Western delegate to the Republican convention in 1912 (Doc B), agreed…
The 19th century historian, Frederick Jackson Turner, believed... (Doc. E)
NEVER begin with: In Document G…

16. DBQ Tips Documents (cont’d)
The order in which the docs appear is almost always helpful
Sometimes the docs “talk” to each other by presenting counter-arguments or can be grouped together by theme
The source of the doc is important & often can reveal more than the text itself
Write doc notes in the margin

17. DBQ Tips Concluding paragraph
A great opportunity for analysis; Restate your essay argument
Put your essay answer in a larger historical perspective:
End or beginning of some trend/movement/idea, etc.
Transitionary era
Do NOT say that this is why we are where we are today!