1. APPARTS
Document Analysis

2. What is a “DBQ?” Document Based Question
An essay that answers a specific question.
An essay that cites specific documents to support the writer’s point.

3. 3. Write an amazing thesis
1. Analyze the Documents
2. Group the Documents
5. Write an awesome DBQ!
How to write a great DBQ
4. Organize the Essay
3. Write an amazing thesis

4. Examples of Primary and Secondary Sources
Original Artwork
Slave Diary
Poems
Treaties
Videotapes of live events
Letters
Legal documents
Secondary
Critique of the Art
Textbook
Articles about specific authors
Essays about a specific topic
Biographies

5. Examination of Primary Resources
APPARTS Technique
Author
Place and Time
Prior Knowledge
Audience
Reason
The Main Idea
Significance

6. APPARTS: Author Who created the document? Who is the speaker?
What do you know about the creator and/or speaker?

7. APPARTS: Place and Time
When was the document written or said?
Where was the document produced?
What else was going on during this time?

8. APPARTS: Prior Knowledge
What other historical events are connected to this document?
What background knowledge is needed?

9. APPARTS: Audience Who is the intended audience?
Who was being spoken too?
Does this affect the reliability of the source?

10. APPARTS: Reason What is the purpose of this document?
Why was it written or spoken?
Why was the document created?

11. APPARTS: The Main Idea Summarize the author’s or speaker’s main point.
This will take about 3-4 sentences.

12. APPARTS:Significance
Why is this document important?
What impact did it have?
What is your evidence?
Again, this will take a few sentences.

13. APPARTS Practice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruNrdmjcNTc

14. Do not use “I” in your essay. Do not quote documents; reference them
The Basics
When Answering a DBQ DO
DO NOT
Read and interpret all parts of the essay question, looking for keys such as change over time
Read and analyze each of the documents (see tips below) and group them
Determine significant keys within the document or its description: names, dates, bias
Refer frequently to the prompt and terms
Integrate documents into your response using analysis
Use most, if not all, documents
Use the documents in a “laundry list” fashion—this assures a low score
Simply explain or summarize documents—group them together before you work
Forget to analyze the documents when using them in your essay
Fail to answer the question in an effort to simply use all of the documents
Forget to analyze biases and views in the documents as part of your analysis and answer
Do not use “I” in your essay. Do not quote documents; reference them

15. Thesis Writing
The thesis statement is the most important writing phase of the DBQ Essay. It sets up the organization for the essay.
When writing a thesis statement be sure to include all parts of the question into the thesis statement. Set up the main themes of the essay with overall details. A thesis sentence may be more than one sentence.
Good DBQ Thesis Statements:
Takes a stand
Answers the question
Previews the argument
Details Time and Place
Groupings

16. Sample DBQ Question
Analyze the social and economic effects of the global silver trade around the world from the 16th to 18th century.

17. Examples of Thesis Statements
Unacceptable: “There were many social and economic effects of the global trade in silver around the world.”
Only restates the question  Vague
Barely Acceptable: “The global silver trade from the mid-16th century to the early 18th century produced profound social changes in Spain, Ming China, Tokugawa Japan, England and the Netherlands, and greatly reshaped the world economy.”
Ok, but so vague that it really doesn’t demonstrate a strong understanding of the topic.

18. Examples of Thesis Statements
Acceptable: “The global flow of silver between 1500 and 1750 CE had many social and economic effects, such as increasing class distinctions in China and Europe, as well as hurting Spain’s economy.”
More specific, with distinctions between social and economic effects.
Excellent: “The increased flow of silver during the mid-16th century to the early 18th century caused social and economic effects in all regions connected with the trade by increasing the integration of Europeans in the globalization of world trade and creating greater economic opportunities but also growing social divisions within China.”
Sums up different social and economic effects facing different regions.

19. Let’s Practice Write a thesis for the following prompt:
Using the song lyrics, analyze the effect 9/11 had on American psyche.
Psyche: the mental or psychological structure of a person, especially as a motive force.