1. AIM: HOW DO I PROPERLY WRITE
AN AP WORLD HISTORY
DBQ ESSAY?

2. HAN DYNASTY ROMAN EMPIRE
MOTIVATION
HAN DYNASTY ROMAN EMPIRE
VENN DIAGRAM

3. DOCUMENT BASED QUESTION
Overview
• This is the first essay you will see on the AP Exam
• As the name implies, this question is based on a group of documents that cover one topic.
Typically 5-10 documents
Usually around a particular period of time

4. PURPOSE OF DBQ
Designed to test your ability to work with and understand historical documents. You must write an essay that:
Has a relevant thesis and supports that thesis with evidence from the documents
Uses all of the documents
Analyzes the documents by grouping them in as many appropriate ways as possible. Does not simply summarize the documents individually
Takes into account the sources of the documents and analyzes the author’s point of view
Identifies and explains the need for at least one additional type of document

5. Steps to Writing a DBQ Essay

6. STEP 1 Process the question
You cannot begin to think about the document until you know what you are being asked to do!
Underline the important stuff (time period, culture, location)
Circle what you are supposed to analyze and the actions you need to take (compare and contrast, change over time, etc.)
Note what the additional document is supposed to do.
Example
Using the documents, analyze Han and Roman attitudes towards technology. Identify one additional type of document and explain briefly how it would help your analysis.
What do you know the documents are about?
What are you being asked to do?
What could an additional document do?
For each document, you need to ask yourself what attitude toward technology is being conveyed.

7. STEP 2 Determine the main idea of each document Read each document.
In two sentences or less, summarize the main idea of each document.
I do not believe that tools for the crafts were invented by wise men. The question of whether the hammer or the tongs came first does not seem important to me. Both were invented by someone with a mind that was nimble and sharp, but not great or elevated. - Seneca, upper-class Roman philosopher and adviser to Emperor Nero, first century C.E.

8. STEP 3 ANALYZE POINT-OF-VIEW Ask yourself…
Who is the author of the source?
Why might this person have this particular opinion?
Analyze point-of-view for at least TWO DOCUMENTS.
Attribution is not sufficient.
Point of view comes from THREE SOURCES:
1.AUTHOR’S FRAME OF REFERENCE (nationality, gender, age, religion, occupation, political background, education, personal experience)
2.Historical Context – time in which it was written
3.Tone – use of the language
I do not believe that tools for the crafts were invented by wise men. The question of whether the hammer or the tongs came first does not seem important to me. Both were invented by someone with a mind that was nimble and sharp, but not great or elevated.
- Seneca, upper-class Roman philosopher and adviser to Emperor Nero, first century C.E.

9. WHAT TYPE OF DOCUMENT WOULD HELP YOU BETTER
STEP 4
MISSING VOICES/DOCUMENTS
Whose voice is absent?
What type of document would help you better answer the question?
THERE ARE DOCUMENTS FROM THE FOLLOWING SOURCES:
Han government official
Upper-class Han philosopher
Government-sponsored history of the Han
Upper-class Roman political leader
Upper-class Roman philosopher
Roman general
Roman citizen/high official
WHAT TYPE OF DOCUMENT WOULD HELP YOU BETTER
ANSWER THE QUESTION?

10. STEP 5 GROUPING THE DOCUMENTS
Group the documents in at least three ways.
Think about…
How are some of the documents related?
What do they have in common?
You must do more than simply say they are Han or Roman documents.
Common Groupings:
Social class of author
Philosophers vs. officials
Pro-technology vs. con-technology
Role of government in relation to technology

11. STEP 6 Write your introduction paragraph and thesis
It must answer the question
It must address all parts of the question
It must not be vague or simply restate the question
It must be explicitly stated in the introduction or conclusion
It may appear as one sentence or as multiple sentences.

12. DBQ Essay Structure

13. OPTION I. 1ST PARAGRAPH Introduction Thesis BODY X 3
1.Topic sentence should state the GROUP
2.Remainder of paragraph should individually address documents.
3.Point of view should be addressed in each of the three paragraphs.
CONCLUSION
Restate thesis

14. OPTION II. Paragraph 1- INTRO AND THESIS (WHAT DO YOU WANT TO PROVE?)
Major points to be made in essay
Paragraph 2- KEY ELEMENTS IN HAN ATTITUDES ABOUT TECHNOLOGY
List three to five important points. Make sure there is some connection to the documents.
PARAGRAPH 3- KEY ELEMENTS IN ROMAN ATTITUDES ABOUT TECHNOLOGY
PARAGRAPH 4- WAY THAT HAN AND ROMAN ATTITUDES WERE ALIKE AND DISSIMILAR
List at least two similarities and three differences, or visa versa.
PARAGRAPH 5- CONCLUSION
Review the major points you have proven

15. WHEN USING DOCUMENTS You must paraphrase the document and then cite it
Use the Author and the Name of the Work to refer to a document
John Smith in his book The History of the World said…
Never write “In Document One…”

16. DBQ GROUP ACTIVITY

17. SUBJECT OCCASION AUDIENCE PURPOSE SPEAKER TONE
DIRECTIONS: IN YOUR ASSIGNED GROUPS YOU WILL EACH COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING GRAPHIC ORGANIZER ON EACH OF THE DOCUMENTS. WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED YOU WILL SELECT A GROUP MEMBER TO WRITE THE CHART ON YOUR ASSIGNED DOCUMENT ON THE SMART BOARD! BE PREPARED TO DISCUSS Documents IN CLASS!!! DOCUMENTS 1-8
SUBJECT
OCCASION
AUDIENCE
PURPOSE
SPEAKER
TONE

18. Document 1 SUBJECT OCCASION AUDIENCE PURPOSE SPEAKER TONE
Han official is ordering local officials on how to organize their officials and labor force with use of technology in order to prevent disaster from floods
OCCASION
China, early 2nd century
AUDIENCE
Local Han officials
PURPOSE
To make sure the government is maintaining public works and controlling floods
To convey idea that technology is essential part of empire and requires government intervention
SPEAKER
Han government official
TONE
Shows concern for people and property; gives the impression that technology is there to aid the Chinese

19. Document 2 SUBJECT OCCASION AUDIENCE PURPOSE SPEAKER TONE
Huan Guan is writing about the problems that lack of technology and poor government policy is having on the people
OCCASION
China, first century B.C.E.
AUDIENCE
Government officials
PURPOSE
To advise the government that their policies (using convict labor to make tools and monopoly on salt and iron) has had devastating effects on the people
Also, to let the Han government know that it is their job to rectify the situation and improve the available technologies
SPEAKER
Huan Guan, Han government official
TONE
Critical of recent government policies

20. Document 3 SUBJECT OCCASION AUDIENCE PURPOSE SPEAKER TONE
Huan Tan is listing the progress of technology after the emperor’s first invention.
OCCASION
China, about 20 C.E.
AUDIENCE
Educated, mostly upper class Chinese; government
PURPOSE
To show the benefits that technology has provided to the Chinese people
SPEAKER
Huan Tan, upper-class Han philosopher
TONE
Shows appreciation for the benefits of technology. Attitude that technology is a “gift” from enlightened emperors.

21. The mortar is a bowl, typically made of hard wood, ceramic or stone.
The pestle is a heavy club-shaped object, the end of which is used for crushing and grinding.

22. Document 4 SUBJECT OCCASION AUDIENCE PURPOSE SPEAKER TONE
Stating how Tu Shih, a Han governor, cared for the Chinese people and used technology to benefit them
OCCASION
China, about 200 C.E.
AUDIENCE
People who might be losing faith in the Han Dynasty
PURPOSE
To glorify the actions of the early Han dynasty and show how effective their inventions were in minimizing human labor
SPEAKER
Someone hired by the government (“government sponsored”)
TONE
Shows appreciation for the accomplishments of the Han dynasty; glorifies them

23. Document 5 SUBJECT OCCASION AUDIENCE PURPOSE SPEAKER TONE
Cicero is stating that the jobs of craftsmen and hired workers that work with hands are “vulgar” and unbecoming; says that gentlemen do not work with their hands
OCCASION
ROME, 1st century B.C.E.
AUDIENCE
Other upper class men
PURPOSE
To distinguish between quality professions and vulgar professions
SPEAKER
Cicero, upper class Roman political leader
TONE
Lacks respect for inventions and inventors (craftsmen); technology is necessary, but not for enlightened minds

24. Document 6 SUBJECT OCCASION AUDIENCE PURPOSE SPEAKER TONE
Plutarch is explaining Gaius Gracchus’ road building enterprises with special attention to their usefulness and aesthetics
OCCASION
Roman Empire, 1st century C.E.
AUDIENCE
Other upper class men
PURPOSE
To show that the Roman upper class did appreciate technology that benefitted the upper class (no mention of how commoners benefitted; designed roads to specifically help those with horses)
SPEAKER
Plutarch, Greek born Roman citizen
TONE
Shows appreciation for the usefulness and aesthetics of Roman roads
Shows admiration for Gracchus’ hard work in road building

25. Document 7 SUBJECT OCCASION AUDIENCE PURPOSE SPEAKER TONE
Seneca is stating that it takes someone nimble and sharp to make inventions, but these craftsmen are not the greatest minds of his day
OCCASION
Roman Empire, 1st century C.E.
AUDIENCE
Other upper class men
PURPOSE
To differentiate between those who work with hands and those that work with minds
SPEAKER
Seneca, upper-class Roman philosopher and advisor to emperor Nero
TONE
Lacks respect for craftsmen (degrades their achievements and abilities)
Not concerned about hammers and tongs because as an upperclassmen, he would never use them

26. Document 8 SUBJECT OCCASION AUDIENCE PURPOSE SPEAKER TONE
Frontinus praises Roman aqueducts and their uses in the city of Rome. He describes its intelligent design and how it benefits the public
OCCASION
Roman Empire, 1st century C.E.
AUDIENCE
Other Roman officials (so they can see that he is doing a good job as water commissioner)
PURPOSE
To glorify Roman aqueducts and their numerous benefits; to show Roman superiority over Egyptians and Greeks
SPEAKER
Frontinus, Roman general, governor of Britain, and water commissioner
TONE
Shows pride for Roman aqueducts and appreciates their practical and aesthetic nature
(keep in mind, he is the water commissioner for Rome – his job and income depends on the aqueducts)