1. What you need to know about writing a document based essay
The DBQ
What you need to know about writing a document based essay

2. Purpose of a DBQ
Not to test a student’s prior knowledge, but rather to evaluate their ability to formulate and support an answer from documentary evidence
Think like a historian

3. How to answer the question
Use prior knowledge with the information gathered from the documents to formulate an answer to the question
You will be given several documents with information related to your essay question.

4. The Documents
Documents are chosen for their information and the perspective they convey (POV)
All documents are relevant in answering the question

5. The Documents Enclosed in boxes
Usually background information is given – READ the BOXES

6. Document Analysis
You should analyze each document very quickly before writing your essay
If given topic prior, Use SOAPPSTone for written documents
If given topic prior, Use OPTICS for visual documents

7. SOAPPSTone Subject Occasion Audience Purpose Point of View Speaker

8. OPTICS
Overview
Parts
Title
Interrelationships
Conclusion
Source

9. Point of View
You will be asked to show understanding of Point of View (POV) in your essay at least twice
You not only must say who’s point of view it is but explain why the author has that point of view.
Explain thoroughly

10. Point of View
Ex: A document about Mrs. McGee being a great teacher or not might be different if it is written by a student who loves history versus a student who hates history. The fact that the student loves history may influence how they feel about Mrs. McGee because she teaches history.

11. Rubric (from WHAP) Thesis Uses all, or all but one document
Supports thesis with evidence from the documents
Understands the meaning of the documents

12. Rubric Analyzes bias/POV in 2-3 documents
Groups documents in 1, 2, or 3 ways
Appropriate additional document, identify missing voice

13. Grouping
Documents are grouped by what part of your answer they support.
Documents can be included in more than one group.

14. Additional Document
Usually put in the conclusion paragraph but doesn’t have to be
Does not have to be a known document
What voice/POV is left out of the given documents?
Why do I need that voice?

15. Additional Document
Ex. If all documents about Mrs. McGee came from students and principals, but none from parents; then an additional document might be needed to fully explain why Mrs. McGee is the best.

16. Additional Document
“To better understand to what extent Mrs. McGee is an exceptional teacher, a document expressing the viewpoint of a parent would be beneficial. Parents must also be able to work with teachers to provide the best education for their child.”

17. Citing Documents in the Essay
You will use very simple citation in your essay, not anything formal
You can simply put the number/letter of the document in parentheses after you discuss it in your essay or begin the sentence with the document number.
Ex: Mrs. McGee’s organization is shown in her scheduled timing of class and punctually updating her website(Doc. 3).

18. Essay Outline Introduction with thesis
Body (use a grouping of documents)
Body (a different grouping)
Conclusion with additional document (missing voice)

19. Getting Started
Read the question. What is being asked? Do you already have an idea of an answer based on prior knowledge?
If available, Read each of the documents thoroughly. SOAPPSTone/OPTICS them.
How can you answer the essay question with the document?

20. Next Step How can you group the documents?
What can your thesis statement be?
In which statements can you discuss POV?
What can an additional document/voice be?

21. Write Remember your outline. Remember to cite each document.
Remember to discuss POV in 2-3 documents.
Remember to write about an additional document.

23. Editing and Grading the DBQ Essay
Have another student read your essay.
With red grading pen mark spelling and grammar errors.
In pink highlight the thesis statement.
In orange, highlight every time a document is cited.
In blue, highlight POV.
In green, highlight where the additional document is discussed.
Put a yellow star beside every paragraph that has grouping of documents.
Mark the rubric for the grade accomplished
Peer graders need to print and sign their name onto Rubric