1. Writing the Thesis Statement and DBQ Essay
AP World History
Writing the Thesis Statement and DBQ Essay

2. What does a good thesis statement do?
Takes a stand
Answers the question
Previews the argument

3. Thesis
Write a thesis statement that outlines what you plan to address in your essay.
The thesis statement is not a restating of the question.
It is an introduction that includes a careful constructed paragraph that lays out what you will write about.

4. Thesis Statement
If your thesis statement stated, “some things are similar and some things are different;” that is not a thesis statement.
If you begin to write your essay in the introductory paragraph, you have not written a good thesis statement.
A thesis statement introduces the three areas you were tasked to address and weaves them into that paragraph.

5. Thesis Statement Example of a good thesis statement:
Two of the most important early civilizations were those of Mesopotamia and Egypt. They developed strong political and social systems that were structured around a strong emphasis on religion. Yet the development of both civilizations was shaped through each one’s environment and resulted in two uniquely separate cultures.

6. Writing the Essay
Once you have written a strong thesis, you have an outline to help guide your essay.
Don’t include details in your thesis paragraph. You do that in succeeding paragraphs.
Conclusion needs to restate the main ideas of your essay. In other words - tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them with details that support your thesis and sum up by a strong conclusion.

7. Data Based Question (DBQ) Essay
You will be given between 4 and 10 documents to group and analyze.
There is a time limit of 40 minutes in which to write the essay and you will be given an additional 10 minutes to group and analyze the documents.
Documents may include maps, pictures, and charts.

8. How do you analyze the documents?
You must look for and state three (3) points of view (POV’s).
POV’s are identified as to the following:
Who
What
When
Where
Why

9. Document POV’s
What is the main idea or topic being said in the document?
Why would this person be saying/creating this document at this time and place?
How does the document help me answer the question that is being asked?

10. Scoring the DBQ There are a total of 9 points for the DBQ.
The basic core consists of either 6 or 7 points.
The expanded core will make up the rest of the total points.
YOU MUST SCORE ALL BASIC POINTS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE EXPANDED CORE POINTS.

11. Components of the DBQ Essay – Core Points (MANDATORY)
Thesis statement that is not just a restating of the question.
Using all but one of the documents in your essay.
Grouping and thoughtfully analyzing the documents. DON’T LIST DOCUMENTS!
Stating the point of view/perspective on minimum of three (3) of the documents
Using the documents to support your thesis.
Adding an additional document that would help support your thesis.

12. Components of the DBQ Essay – Expanded Core
Extremely strong thesis statement.
Adding more than one additional document to your essay.
Completely and thoroughly answering the question.
Remember, you must score all basic points in order to receive expanded core.

13. How I grade the DBQ Essay for AP
Basic core points are divided into 100.
Each basic point will then be worth whatever the result is. Example:
6 basic core points divided into 100= points.
Essay is then graded using the following format: thesis statement, used all but one document, analyzed and grouped documents, noted point of view/perspective in at least three documents, added an additional document to help support the essay, answered the question.