Writing in the Content Areas Piecing it Together Social Studies Piecing it Together Social Studies

Watch Your DBQs and Listening Too Writing in the content areas for social studies: DBQ Essay Writing in the content areas for social studies: DBQ Essay

What is a DBQ Essay? A DBQ essay is a written assignment requiring you to use documents to discuss a given thesis statement.

Essay An essay is a written response to a question that requires more than one paragraph. The parts of an essay are as follows: Introduction Body Conclusion An essay is a written response to a question that requires more than one paragraph. The parts of an essay are as follows: Introduction Body Conclusion

Documents Documents are written or printed materials that provide facts or information. Documents can be primary or secondary sources of information. Documents are written or printed materials that provide facts or information. Documents can be primary or secondary sources of information.

Primary Sources Primary sources are original documents from a particular time in the past, such as letters, photographs, and newspaper articles. Other primary sources include: Illustrations Cartoons Posters Maps Political Documents such as the Constitution Primary sources are original documents from a particular time in the past, such as letters, photographs, and newspaper articles. Other primary sources include: Illustrations Cartoons Posters Maps Political Documents such as the Constitution

Secondary Sources Secondary sources are documents that are not from the era that they cover. Examples of secondary sources include: Graphs and Graphic Organizers that display historical data. Articles based on facts taken from primary sources. Secondary sources are documents that are not from the era that they cover. Examples of secondary sources include: Graphs and Graphic Organizers that display historical data. Articles based on facts taken from primary sources.

Thesis Statement A thesis statement provides the main idea of the essay. It answers the essay question in a general way. A thesis statement provides the main idea of the essay. It answers the essay question in a general way.

Ready to Write In a DBQ Essay you will be given information in two forms. The first form of information is the Historical Context, the second form of information is the TASK.

Historical Context This is background information that you may use in your introduction. You may use part of it, all of it, or none of it. If you use part or all of the historical context, you must ADD some of your OWN words to your introduction. The grading rubric very specifically states that you MUST go beyond the simple restatement of the historical context. This is background information that you may use in your introduction. You may use part of it, all of it, or none of it. If you use part or all of the historical context, you must ADD some of your OWN words to your introduction. The grading rubric very specifically states that you MUST go beyond the simple restatement of the historical context.

Tasks The tasks are the questions you are to answer in the essay. It is from the TASK you develop your THESIS. Each task should be answered in a paragraph The tasks are BULLETED Sometimes the task asks you to compare and contrast issues. Other times the task asks you to discuss causes and effects of historical events The tasks are the questions you are to answer in the essay. It is from the TASK you develop your THESIS. Each task should be answered in a paragraph The tasks are BULLETED Sometimes the task asks you to compare and contrast issues. Other times the task asks you to discuss causes and effects of historical events

Organization of a DBQ Essay Introduction Thesis Statement Historical Context Answers to Task Body Paragraph 1 Supporting Details/ Documents Outside Information Body Paragraph 2 Supporting Details/Documents Outside Information Conclusion Restate the thesis statement utilizing different words Restate the topic sentences utilizing different words

Integrating Documents into your Essay Refer to the documents in your essay in this manner: A photograph of Native Americans illustrates...( Doc. 1). OR According to the photograph, buffaloes were important to Native Americans because….(Doc. 1). According to document 1, Native Americans… Refer to the documents in your essay in this manner: A photograph of Native Americans illustrates...( Doc. 1). OR According to the photograph, buffaloes were important to Native Americans because….(Doc. 1). According to document 1, Native Americans…

DBQ Essay Assignment Historical Context In the second half of the nineteenth century, the United States became an increasingly mobile society. An example of this mobility is the settlement of the West by easterners. For many Americans, the movement westward brought new economic opportunities, but for others it meant conflict and the end of a way of life. Historical Context In the second half of the nineteenth century, the United States became an increasingly mobile society. An example of this mobility is the settlement of the West by easterners. For many Americans, the movement westward brought new economic opportunities, but for others it meant conflict and the end of a way of life.

Task Using information from the documents and your knowledge of American history, write an essay in which you:  Explain two causes for the rapid settlement of the West.  Describe two effects of the rapid settlement of the West. Using information from the documents and your knowledge of American history, write an essay in which you:  Explain two causes for the rapid settlement of the West.  Describe two effects of the rapid settlement of the West.

Outside Information Western Settlement Native Americans.htm Western Settlement Native Americans.htm