Writing the DBQ

Read Prompt Carefully and Thoroughly 60 minutes including 15 minutes to read documents and plan Mark key words, phrases, tasks, etc. Don’t go on before you understand the prompt Historical background can help with ideas Don’t Panic! Tests your ability to read, analyze, synthesize, and communicate in writing Question will address topics from period 3, 4, 5, or 6 25% of total exam score

Read the Documents 7 Documents Mark documents (underline, circle, notes) Key words Ideas Phrases Grouping Author’s perspective, audience, purpose, etc. Notes in margins Make connections/contradictions between documents Point of View (POV) Affirmative/Negative Sarcasm/Genuine

Grouping Combining documents that have similarities Time Period Region Sources Theme Best to group by content Demonstrates thoughtfulness Helps to use documents as evidence + develop thesis Make a quick chart Group 1 Idea Group 2 Idea Group 3 Idea 1, 2, 4, 6 5, 7, 8 3, 4, 9

Grouping At least THREE groups (rule of 3) At least TWO documents per group You can use a document in more than 1 group Use all documents Include an outlying document in the intro. or conclusion Must show your understanding of the document Must support your thesis Use groupings to form your thesis Causes and effects Comparisons and contrasts Positives and negatives

Key Components Thesis Argument Development Use of Documents Responds to all parts of question Makes defensible claim Argument Development Develop and support cohesive argument Grouping illustrates relationships among historical evidence (ex. contradiction, corroboration, qualification) Use of Documents Use at least 6 documents Support thesis Sourcing the Documents Explains how or why the author’s perspective is relevant to the argument Author’s point of view Author’s purpose Historical context Author’s audience

Point of View Demonstrate understanding of person’s background, situation, purpose, audience, life experience, etc. Things to consider Gender Occupation Social class Religion Ethnicity Education Nationality What is said How it is said Time period POV at beginning or end of source use (NOT A LIST AT THE END) POV a total of 3 documents (one per body paragraph)

Key Components Contextualization Outside Evidence Explain broader historical events Outside Evidence Provide additional evidence beyond provided documents Demonstrate Complex Understanding Explain connections between the argument and: Different historical period, situation, era, or geographical area Different SPICE theme Different discipline (economics, government, art, anthropology, etc.)

Structuring the DBQ Essay Forming a Thesis Clear, one-sentence statement Takes position you can support with the provided evidence Provides structural framework for essay Body paragraphs should be in the order they are mentioned in your thesis Last sentence of introduction If no introduction, should be a stand alone sentence at the beginning of the essay New paragraph for first body paragraph

Structuring the DBQ Essay Body Paragraphs Each paragraph should be tied to a grouping Use words from thesis for topic sentences Use grouping chart to organize your body paragraphs Support thesis with evidence from documents Use notes from preliminary document reading Analyze POV ALWAYS Cite Documents (Doc 1) (1) Conclusion Restate Thesis Provide evidence beyond the documents Final Thought

Check Your Work Clear thesis statement Described topic in broader historical context Used and cited at least 6 documents to support thesis Addressed POV for at least three documents Demonstrated complex understanding Provided outside evidence in conclusion

Rubric (out of 7 points) Thesis (1 point) Contextualization (1 point) Responds to all parts of question + makes defensible claim Contextualization (1 point) Describes a broader historical context relevant to the prompt Evidence (3 points) Uses at least 6 documents (all but one) (1) Uses evidence from the documents to support an argument (1) Provides additional piece of evidence not found in provided documents (1) Analysis and Reasoning (2 points) Explains author’s point of view, purpose, historical context, or audience for at least 3 documents (1) Explains connection between the argument and different historical periods, themes, or disciplines (1)