1. AP European DBQ Writing
Examine the Skills and Process
Ms. Raia

2. Writing the DBQ Requirements: Rubric 7 Point Scale 4 Targeted Skills
Outside information is required
All DBQs have 7 documents, and you must use all 7.

3. Organization Introduction
Contains basic historical context information for the essay prompt: When, where, after this, before this.
Thesis:
DOES NOT merely restate the question.
Answers the prompt in one-two sentences alluding to the topics of the body pararaphs (organization)
Is a statement that can be proven with the documents presented and your knowledge od the topic.

4. Body Paragraphs 3-4 depending on prompt or need.
Pairing or grouping of documents
Document analysis (in future slides)
Contextualization – how does your argument represent a broader theme or issue related to or relevant to the question.
Evidence beyond the documents – weave outside evidence to support the documents and your thesis into EACH body paragraph.

5. Body Paragraphs
Construct body paragraphs with P.I.E.S. complete with (key phrases) to help:
Point: Topic sentence connected to thesis (because)
Illustrate the point: Evidence to “prove” your point (for example)
Explain the evidence: Analysis. What does the evidence show?
How does it link back to the point / thesis argument? (This shows)
Summarize : Transition to the next topic or conclude (As a result)

6. Body Paragraphs
Apply one letter of C.A.P.P.(Context; Author’s Purpose, Point of View) to at least four of the documents in your essay, but you can’t make any mistakes, so try to do as many as possible, like six or seven just in case you mess up (this is your insurance policy)
Where should this go? You have two choices:
Topic sentence, evidence, analysis, CAPP, summarize
Topic sentence, evidence, analysis, summarize, CAPP

7. Body Paragraphs
Include outside evidence beyond the documents that were provided  a person, group, event, idea, or development that is connected to your argument / thesis, but was NOT provided in any of the documents.
Where should this go? AFTER you’ve C.A.P.P.ed a document,
Tip: make sure it’s connected to your argument / thesis.

8. Citing the Documents
You are never, EVER to say in a paragraph, “As seen in document 2…”
ALWAYS refer to documents by name and author in the body paragraphs when writing about them. Cite them by number in parenthesis when finished.
Rousseau’s ideas in The Social Contract can be compared to that Machiavelli in regards to government……This is also seen when comparing Rousseauian thought to that of Voltaire. (Doc. 4)

9. Conclusion Synthesis paragraph in the DBQ
Extends the argument by explaining the connections between the argument and one of the following:
Development in a different historical period, situation, era, or geographical area,
A course theme and/or approach to history that is not the focus of the essay (such as political, social, economic, cultural or intellectual history.)
A different discipline or field of inquiry (such as economics, government and politics, art history, or anthropology.)
This point will NOT be awarded for a mere mention or as a short frame of reference.

10. Conclusion
Synthesis  Take your argument / thesis and synthesize it with something else. You have a two choices here, but above all you must explain the connection to your thesis and only put it in the essay’s conclusion.
Make a connection to similar development or situation in a different historical time period (ex, the 20th century), era (ex, the Renaissance), or another area of Europe / outside Europe.
Make a connection to an AP Euro theme (social, political, economic, intellectual, religious, or artistic history) that’s not the focus of the essay
Where does this go? The conclusion is the easiest place for it.
Tip: Compare the synthesis to the thesis to make sure it’s connected.

11. Document Analysis Content What point in the document trying to make?
What does the document say and what does it selectively leave out?
What od its content is usable by a historian?

12. Document Analysis Authorship Who wrote the document?
What was the author’s position in society?
Do I know anything about the person beyond what is provided in the source that affect the reliability of the document?

13. Document Analysis Purpose Why did the author create the source?
Why was the document created at this time?
Why has it survived to the present?
How does its purpose affect its reliability or usefulness?

14. Document Analysis Format
What is the format of the source: text, image, art, newspaper article, letter, cartoon, lyrics etc?
What is the intent of the medium?
Does the source’s format or genre add meaning to what the source explicitly states?

15. Document Analysis Audience Who was this source create for?
How might the audience have affected the content of the source?
How might the audience have affected the reliability of the source?

16. Document Analysis Context When and where was the source produced?
What contemporaneous events might have affected the author’s viewpoint and/or message?
How does the context affect the reliability of a source?

17. Document Analysis Point of View What was the author’s point of view?
Does the author’s point of view undermine the explicit purpose of the source?
How can you tell if you can tell what other beliefs the author might hold?

18. Document Analysis Limitations What does the document not tell me?
What might have limited the knowledge of the author (eg social status, education, etc)
What other documents might offer alternatives to the author’s point of view?
What documents might help to better understand the author’s own point of view?