1. Writing the DBQ

2. Read Prompt Carefully and Thoroughly
60 minutes including 15 minutes to read documents and plan
Mark key words, phrases, tasks, etc.
Don’t go on before you understand the prompt
Historical background can help with ideas
Don’t Panic!
Tests your ability to read, analyze, synthesize, and communicate in writing
Question will address topics from period 3, 4, 5, or 6
25% of total exam score

3. Read the Documents 7 Documents
Mark documents (underline, circle, notes)
Key words
Ideas
Phrases
Grouping
Author’s perspective, audience, purpose, etc.
Notes in margins
Make connections/contradictions between documents
Point of View (POV)
Affirmative/Negative
Sarcasm/Genuine

4. Grouping Combining documents that have similarities
Time Period
Region
Sources
Theme
Best to group by content
Demonstrates thoughtfulness
Helps to use documents as evidence + develop thesis
Make a quick chart
Group 1 Idea
Group 2 Idea
Group 3 Idea
1, 2, 4, 6
5, 7, 8
3, 4, 9

5. Grouping At least THREE groups (rule of 3)
At least TWO documents per group
You can use a document in more than 1 group
Use all documents
Include an outlying document in the intro. or conclusion
Must show your understanding of the document
Must support your thesis
Use groupings to form your thesis
Causes and effects
Comparisons and contrasts
Positives and negatives

6. Key Components Thesis Argument Development Use of Documents
Responds to all parts of question
Makes defensible claim
Argument Development
Develop and support cohesive argument
Grouping illustrates relationships among historical evidence (ex. contradiction, corroboration, qualification)
Use of Documents
Use at least 6 documents
Support thesis
Sourcing the Documents
Explains how or why the author’s perspective is relevant to the argument
Author’s point of view
Author’s purpose
Historical context
Author’s audience

7. Point of View
Demonstrate understanding of person’s background, situation, purpose, audience, life experience, etc.
Things to consider
Gender
Occupation
Social class
Religion
Ethnicity
Education
Nationality
What is said
How it is said
Time period
POV at beginning or end of source use (NOT A LIST AT THE END)
POV a total of 3 documents (one per body paragraph)

8. Key Components Contextualization Outside Evidence
Explain broader historical events
Outside Evidence
Provide additional evidence beyond provided documents
Demonstrate Complex Understanding
Explain connections between the argument and:
Different historical period, situation, era, or geographical area
Different SPICE theme
Different discipline (economics, government, art, anthropology, etc.)

9. Structuring the DBQ Essay
Forming a Thesis
Clear, one-sentence statement
Takes position you can support with the provided evidence
Provides structural framework for essay
Body paragraphs should be in the order they are mentioned in your thesis
Last sentence of introduction
If no introduction, should be a stand alone sentence at the beginning of the essay
New paragraph for first body paragraph

10. Structuring the DBQ Essay
Body Paragraphs
Each paragraph should be tied to a grouping
Use words from thesis for topic sentences
Use grouping chart to organize your body paragraphs
Support thesis with evidence from documents
Use notes from preliminary document reading
Analyze POV
ALWAYS Cite Documents
(Doc 1)
(1)
Conclusion
Restate Thesis
Provide evidence beyond the documents
Final Thought

11. Check Your Work Clear thesis statement
Described topic in broader historical context
Used and cited at least 6 documents to support thesis
Addressed POV for at least three documents
Demonstrated complex understanding
Provided outside evidence in conclusion

12. Rubric (out of 7 points) Thesis (1 point) Contextualization (1 point)
Responds to all parts of question + makes defensible claim
Contextualization (1 point)
Describes a broader historical context relevant to the prompt
Evidence (3 points)
Uses at least 6 documents (all but one) (1)
Uses evidence from the documents to support an argument (1)
Provides additional piece of evidence not found in provided documents (1)
Analysis and Reasoning (2 points)
Explains author’s point of view, purpose, historical context, or audience for at least 3 documents (1)
Explains connection between the argument and different historical periods, themes, or disciplines (1)