APPARTS Document Analysis

What is a “DBQ?” Document Based Question An essay that answers a specific question. An essay that cites specific documents to support the writer’s point.

3. Write an amazing thesis 1. Analyze the Documents 2. Group the Documents 5. Write an awesome DBQ! How to write a great DBQ 4. Organize the Essay 3. Write an amazing thesis

Examples of Primary and Secondary Sources Original Artwork Slave Diary Poems Treaties Videotapes of live events Letters Legal documents Secondary Critique of the Art Textbook Articles about specific authors Essays about a specific topic Biographies

Examination of Primary Resources APPARTS Technique Author Place and Time Prior Knowledge Audience Reason The Main Idea Significance

APPARTS: Author Who created the document? Who is the speaker? What do you know about the creator and/or speaker?

APPARTS: Place and Time When was the document written or said? Where was the document produced? What else was going on during this time?

APPARTS: Prior Knowledge What other historical events are connected to this document? What background knowledge is needed?

APPARTS: Audience Who is the intended audience? Who was being spoken too? Does this affect the reliability of the source?

APPARTS: Reason What is the purpose of this document? Why was it written or spoken? Why was the document created?

APPARTS: The Main Idea Summarize the author’s or speaker’s main point. This will take about 3-4 sentences.

APPARTS:Significance Why is this document important? What impact did it have? What is your evidence? Again, this will take a few sentences.

APPARTS Practice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruNrdmjcNTc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpYeekQkAdc

Do not use “I” in your essay. Do not quote documents; reference them The Basics When Answering a DBQ DO DO NOT Read and interpret all parts of the essay question, looking for keys such as change over time Read and analyze each of the documents (see tips below) and group them Determine significant keys within the document or its description: names, dates, bias Refer frequently to the prompt and terms Integrate documents into your response using analysis Use most, if not all, documents Use the documents in a “laundry list” fashion—this assures a low score Simply explain or summarize documents—group them together before you work Forget to analyze the documents when using them in your essay Fail to answer the question in an effort to simply use all of the documents Forget to analyze biases and views in the documents as part of your analysis and answer Do not use “I” in your essay. Do not quote documents; reference them

Thesis Writing The thesis statement is the most important writing phase of the DBQ Essay. It sets up the organization for the essay. When writing a thesis statement be sure to include all parts of the question into the thesis statement. Set up the main themes of the essay with overall details. A thesis sentence may be more than one sentence. Good DBQ Thesis Statements: Takes a stand Answers the question Previews the argument Details Time and Place Groupings

Sample DBQ Question Analyze the social and economic effects of the global silver trade around the world from the 16th to 18th century.

Examples of Thesis Statements Unacceptable: “There were many social and economic effects of the global trade in silver around the world.” Only restates the question  Vague Barely Acceptable: “The global silver trade from the mid-16th century to the early 18th century produced profound social changes in Spain, Ming China, Tokugawa Japan, England and the Netherlands, and greatly reshaped the world economy.” Ok, but so vague that it really doesn’t demonstrate a strong understanding of the topic.

Examples of Thesis Statements Acceptable: “The global flow of silver between 1500 and 1750 CE had many social and economic effects, such as increasing class distinctions in China and Europe, as well as hurting Spain’s economy.” More specific, with distinctions between social and economic effects. Excellent: “The increased flow of silver during the mid-16th century to the early 18th century caused social and economic effects in all regions connected with the trade by increasing the integration of Europeans in the globalization of world trade and creating greater economic opportunities but also growing social divisions within China.” Sums up different social and economic effects facing different regions.

Let’s Practice Write a thesis for the following prompt: Using the song lyrics, analyze the effect 9/11 had on American psyche. Psyche: the mental or psychological structure of a person, especially as a motive force.