How to do a DBQ Part I

Before we begin… Labels are identifications and NOT chronological periods of time!!!! DBQ MUST use DOCUMENTS!!! (it’s called a document based question for a reason) DO NOT simply summarize the documents they must prove a point!

Bad sentences “Everyone in Europe was into religion”… “All were poor and uneducated”… “There was no economy”… “There was no government”… Any sentence with the word “stuff” Any sentence with the word “things”

The Introductory Paragraph Keep it short and sweet! -4 to 6 sentences MAX!

The Introductory Paragraph Establish TIME & PLACE. Create a clear, THESIS STATEMENT. [underline or highlight it!] Allude to the SUB-TOPICS or categories you will discuss to support your thesis statement Focus on the question at hand—do NOT begin with a “flowery” sentence! No “laundry list!”

1. Establish TIME & PLACE. What time period is this? Where are you talking about? - This is usually Europe however it might be specific to a country. Sample: “The Middle Ages was from about the 1000s to the mid 1400s. During these years Europe was organized as a feudal society”

Create a clear, THESIS STATEMENT Always answer all parts of the question! What are you being asked? Lets look at the prompt one more time: Which labels for the Middle Ages best describe the era between 500 and 1400 in Europe: The Dark Ages, the Age of Feudalism, the Age of Faith, or the Golden Age of Europe? You must discuss three labels.

Create a clear, THESIS STATEMENT Sample thesis: “During this era, many labels came to be to explain this time, the Dark Ages, the Age of Feudalism, and the Age of Faith”

SUB-TOPICS/ Categories Think SPRITE! Sample thesis: “Many labels came to be to explain this era, the Dark Ages, the Age of Feudalism and the Age of Faith; however the label that best fits is the Dark Ages because of the political, economic and social turmoil Europe faced.”

Sample Introductory Paragraph “The Middle Ages was from about the 1000s to the mid 1400s. Invasions, territorial disputes, and an increase in the power of the Catholic Church marked this era. As a result, many labels came to be to explain this era, the Dark Ages, the Age of Feudalism and the Age of Faith; however the label that best fits is the Dark Ages because of the political, economic and social turmoil Europe faced.”

The Body Paragraphs Identify your sub-topic or category in the first sentence. Include the documents that are relevant to support the ideas in the paragraph. Use most of the documents given [70%].

NEVER begin with: In Document 3, ….. How to Reference a Document in Your Essay Baldassare Castiglione, in The Handbook of the Courtier, said: “………………….” Erasmus of Rotterdam, a northern Christian humanist, agreed with… The 19c historian, Jacob Burkhardt, felt that …………………. (Doc. 9) NEVER begin with: In Document 3, …..

The Concluding Paragraph Again keep it short and sweet -3 to 4 sentences MAX!

The Concluding Paragraph Start with a “concluding phrase.” Restate your thesis statement a bit differently. Put your essay answer in a larger historical perspective. -Beginning of some trend/movement/idea, etc. -End of one & beginning of another. -Do NOT end on the note that this is the reason we are where we are today!

You are not done! Eventually you will be asked to: incorporate outside information Analyze point of view/ bias