Parts of a DBQ essay

An Introduction Engages the reader’s interest and attention Gives the reader enough INFORMATION and CONTEXT to understand the essay Provides a THESIS STATEMENT and a ROADMAP for the rest of the essay

Parts of an Introduction Paragraph HOOK: an opening statement of 1-2 sentences that does one of two things: Gives an interesting fact to grab the readers attention OR Gives a definition of key terms that the reader may find confusing CONTEXT STATEMENT: 2-3 sentences of relevant background information about the topic so the reader will have a better understanding of the essay THESIS STATEMENT: a 1 sentence answer to the Central Historical Question. It should state your main claim and also provide a roadmap for the rest of the essay.

A Body Paragraph Fully explains ONE of the arguments or claims that you make in your thesis statement. Makes a CLAIM, then introduces TEXT EVIDENCE, and then EXPLAINS the evidence. In order to successfully CORROBORATE any claim, you must use multiple pieces of text evident

Parts of a Body Paragraph pt. 1 BABY THESIS: also known as a “topic sentence”. Your baby thesis is simply one of the claims made in your main thesis statement. TEXT EVIDENCE: evidence from one of the documents that supports the claim you have made in your baby thesis. TEXT INTERPRETATION: in your own words explain how the text evidence you presented answers the main DBQ prompt. CORROBORATION: you must introduce and interpret at least one more piece of text evidence that supports your baby thesis before you can move on to other ideas.

Parts of a Body Paragraph pt.2 SYNTHESIS: you have introduced and explained at least two pieces of text evidence that support your claim, tell the reader how these pieces of evidence are saying the same thing. TRANSITION: after you have done all of the previous steps, close out your paragraph with a transition statement.

Stems to introduce text evidence (document name or person) states that… For instance… It can be seen in (document name) that… As an example… According to (document name or person)…

Stems to interpret text evidence This statement shows that… This can be seen as evidence that… This clearly illustrates the idea that… The meaning/implication of this statement is… In other words… By this, the document means…

A Conclusion Provides a final PARAPHRASE of the Thesis Statement Reminds the reader of key pieces of text evidence Closes with a “Red Bow”

Parts of a Conclusion Paragraph THESIS SUMMARY: Reminds the reader of the Thesis Statement Keep ideas in same order as first presented – stay with the roadmap AND Paraphrases the Thesis Statement – Do not simply repeat REMINDER OF TEXT EVIDENCE: 2-3 sentences that remind the reader of the most compelling pieces of text evidence RED BOW: End with a thought provoking statement or reminder of what makes the topic of the DBQ special or unique. This sentence may mirror the hook.