1. DBQ Document Based Question
The Global flow of Silver

2. First 10 minutes
Re-Read the question 1st – Underline the question
2nd – Read the background
3rd – Read the documents and start making categories
4th – Re-read the question to make certain you are on the right path.

3. First 10 minutes
First 10 minutes – Understanding the Question First, read the question (prompt). Underline the words that are most related to your task. (Think PERSIaN, usually)
“ Using the documents, analyze the social and economic effects of the global flow of silver from the mid-16 th century to the 18 th century. Explain how another type of document would help you analyze the effects of the flow of silver bullion in this period”

4. First 10 minutes
– Understanding the Question What did you underline? I underlined
Social
Economic
Global-flow of silver
These key words will be a unifying link throughout the essay

5. Planning But I’m slow, Welcome to pressure!
There is no time to be slow but if you go a couple minutes over the 10 it’s all right. Just make sure you’re not going more that 15 or 16 minutes because you will be taking time from other essays.

6. Do you have a thesis?
You have to have one to start out right. An AP reader can tell in moments if your essay is going to be strong or not.
Thesis can be more than one sentence Thesis must include specific information that responds to the question.

7. Do you have a thesis?
Good thesis has two parts… Specifically address the terms of the question Sets up the structure for the rest of your essay (Specific information)

8. Evidence to support the thesis You must analyze the documents not just list them.
List: “The global flow of silver hindered the development of indigenous peoples as can be seen in documents 4, 5, and 8.
Analysis: “The global flow of silver hindered the development of indigenous people in several ways. The subjugation and forced labor of the natives in the South American silver mines (doc 4) did not allow them to develop socially because they could not participate in any native institutions. The mass slaughtering of the Japanese (doc 5) shows how oppressive the government was under Tokogowa; people had become afraid to interact and did not develop at the same rate of their European counterparts…

9. Pictures!?
Pictures Analyze the pictures to the same degree you analyze the documents. Remember a picture is worth a thousand words.

10. POV
1) Does the occupation of the author give the doc more reliability?
2) Class, religion, national background or gender influence what is mentioned? Type of document effect the content? Journal, private letter, public address. Timing Intended audience Tone (sarcastic, triumphant, haughty, etc.)

11. Groupings
Remember your groupings At least one more group than they ask for but no less than 3.
The more groups the better (as long as it doesn’t stink)
One document can be in more than one grouping.

12. The Missing Voice / Ghost Document
Additional document
Every grouping needs an additional document or more.
What type of document, who wrote it (general, no names), why would it be useful.
“ An additional document by a Chinese merchant that describes the manner in which trade was conducted would be helpful because it would give insight into how the flow of silver was effecting this class of people.”

13. Outline: Thesis - Intro Group One: Documents supporting thesis
POV on one doc
Additional doc
Group Two:
Group Three:
Additional doc Conclusion