1. How To Do an APUS B D Q

2. Step One:Read the Question
Step Two: Develop A Working Thesis
Step 3: Brainstorm Outside Information

3. Step 4: Read the Documents
As you read the documents, pay attention to titles, dates, and sources
Decide where you may be able to use these documents in your essay to support YOUR argument
Adjust position as necessary,
Documents will trigger new outside info!
Create a grid - which documents can you use for each body paragraph

4. 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.
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

5. 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 most of the documents given (the more the better but you don’t have to use all)
Bring in supportive outside information. This is critical!! * o.i.’s = “outside information”
Reinforce your argument in last sentence-provide transition

6. *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 …

7. The Concluding” Paragraph
Start with a “concluding phrase” (try to avoid “In conclusion”
Restate your thesis statement a bit differently.
Put your essay answer in a larger historical perspective.
End of some trend/movement/idea, etc.
Beginning of some trend/movement/idea
End of one & beginning of another.
Do NOT end on the note that this is the reason we are where we are today!

8. The Do’s of DBQ’s Approach the question as any essay
Let your argument guide your organization
Reference as many documents as possible within your essay that you understand
Include at least one piece of outside information for every document reference you use
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 time frame given for the question

9. 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.
Don’t reference documents that you do not understand - it is better to ignore them (unless you find yourself doing this with more that half of the documents)