How To Do an APUSH B D Q

Step One: Read the Question & Identify essence of question: Every DBQ will focus on one of the following historical skills: causation, change and continuity over time, comparison, interpretation, or periodization. First, determine which one you need to demonstrate. Step Two: Develop a Working Thesis

Step 4: Read the Documents As you read the documents, pay attention to titles, dates, and sources, docs are in chronological order. Decide where you may be able to use these documents in your essay to support YOUR argument Identify: Audience, Purpose, Historical Context & P.O.V Documents will trigger new outside info Create a grid/matrix - which documents & outside info you can use for each body paragraph (including docs & outside info)

The Introductory Paragraph Background: Establish TIME & PLACE. Create a clear, THESIS STATEMENT that clearly answers all aspects of the question and takes a strong stand. If it Include 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

The Body Paragraphs Identify your sub-topic or category in the first sentence. Topic Sentence should support and develop thesis *and it should introduce your argument, not state a fact. Include the documents that are relevant to support the ideas in the paragraph. Use all (or all minus one) of the documents given and include at least one of the following for each doc: audience (probably weakest), purpose, historical context, &/or author’s POV. Bring in supportive outside information. * o.i.’s = “outside information” you should have at least one specific piece of specific info (think key terms) for each paragraph Reinforce your argument in last sentence to provide transition

*NEVER begin with: In Document A,it says blah blah blah … How to Reference a Document in Your Essay Thomas Paine, in his pamphlet, Common Sense, argued………………… (Doc. E). Joe Smith, a mid-Western delegate to the Republican convention in 1912, agreed with….(Doc. E). The 19c historian, Frederick Jackson Turner, felt that …………………. (Doc. E) *NEVER begin with: In Document A,it says blah blah blah …

The Concluding” Paragraph Start with a “concluding phrase” (try to avoid “In conclusion”) Restate your main argument a bit differently. Put your essay answer in a larger historical context – this is key for Synthesis. Connect to a similar event or era before or after date range. This must be clear and explained. But Do NOT end on the note that this is the reason we are where we are today!

The Do’s of DBQ’s Approach the question as any essay You get a point for Historical Context so it is important to connect your argument to larger trends in the era. Let your argument guide your organization Reference all documents (or skip one if you completely don’t understand) Try to include one piece of outside information for every document reference or at least paragraph Pay attention to dates, titles, and sources of the documents - there is often helpful information there! Look for the “distracter” document and try to give some attention to opposing viewpoints. Stick to the date range given for the question

The Don’ts of DBQs DO NOT QUOTE THE DOCUMENTS - everyone reading your essay has also read the documents, so this just wastes time Don’t laundry list the documents (Doc. A says, Doc. B says, etc.) use the documents as evidence to support your argument If you do not understand or know the context of a document use it in a more conservative or general way to avoid major errors. If there is ONE document that you ABSOLUTELY DO NOT UNDERSTAND – skip it.