1. Santiago Christian School
How To Do an AHAP B D Q
Mr. Mark Gonzalez
Santiago Christian School
Santiago, RD

2. DBQS Writing the DBQ is an acquired skill, one that takes practice.
You should not get discouraged if you do not "get it" right away.
The goal is to acquire the skill by May.
Remember that there is actually no right or wrong answer.
Your answer is YOUR interpretation of the content of the documents.
As long as your answer is logical and your interpretation is supported by the content (evidence) of the document, you are correct.

3. DBQS
Approach your essays like a court case as a lawyer would- you have an opening statement (the judge gives you limited time to sum up your case-watch your time), then you must present your case, call witnesses, present evidence. The reader is the judge and you have to convince them-if your case is weak, they won’t buy it.
Spend 20 minutes for prep on the DBQ as a rule and then about 30 minutes writing the actual essay

4. A “Dazzling” D.B.Q. Is Like a Tasty Cheese burger

5. The “Top Bun” of your essay!
The Introductory Paragraph
The “Top Bun” of your essay!
4-5 sentences

6. The Introductory Paragraph
Establish TIME & PLACE.
Create a clear, THESIS STATEMENT. [underline or highlight it!]
Allude to the 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!
No “laundry list!”

7. The “tasty” part of your essay! 8-12 sentences+ per paragraph
The “”Meat”” Paragraphs
The “tasty” part of your essay!
8-12 sentences+ per paragraph

8. The “”Meat”” Paragraphs
Identify your sub-topic or category in the first sentence.
Include the documents that are relevant to support the ideas in the paragraph.
Use most of the documents given.
Bring in supportive outside information. This is critical!! * o.i.’s = “outside information”
Why were these documents selected?

9. Remember, docs. can be used in a variety of ways!
Questions to Ask Yourself About the Documents
Attribution  Who is this person?
Why might they be significant?
What is the point of view (POV) of the author?
How reliable and accurate is the source?
What is the tone or intent of the document author?
What other information does this document call to mind? Use all available clues.
Remember, docs. can be used in a variety of ways!

10. NEVER begin with: In Document 3, …
How to Reference a Document in Your Essay
Thomas Paine, in his pamphlet, Common Sense, said: “………………….”
Joe Smith, a mid-Western delegate to the Republican convention in 1912, agreed with…..
The 19c historian, Frederick Jackson Turner, felt that …………………. (Doc. E)
NEVER begin with: In Document 3, …

11. The “Bottom Bun” of your essay! It holds it all together!
The Concluding Paragraph
The “Bottom Bun” of your essay!
It holds it all together!
3-4 sentences

12. The Concluding” Paragraph
Start with a “concluding phrase.”
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!

13. Put It All Together, And

14. Ummmmm, Burger!
I Mean, A Perfect Essay!

15. For Homework Tonight: For Homework Tonight-due Tuesday:
Create a rough draft of your DBQ essay using this format:
The Format I want you to use:
Write out your introductory paragraph in full, underlining your thesis statement.
Paragraph 1 
Information from a document
Information from another document
Some outside information (OI)
Different info. from the same document
Paragraph 2 
Paragraph 3 
New information from the same document
Write out your concluding paragraph, restating your thesis but more of a summary

16. Now, After the Peer Review Session, Go Home & Write Your Essay And Dazzle Me With Your Brilliance!

17. YOU
CAN DO
IT!!