How To Write a DBQ

Suggestions for Success in Advanced Placement United States History

Overview of the National ExamThe national APUSH exam is

broken into two major sections: –Section 1 (55 minutes)

•80 multiple choice questions –Section 2 (130 minutes)

•DBQ essay (15 minutes to plan; 45 minutes to write)

•2 free-response essays (70 minutes)

Overview of Section 2: the EssaysFor the essay section of the

national exam, there will always be 3 essays (1 DBQ & 2 FRQs):–The DBQ requires the use of

both prior knowledge & document interpretation

–The FRQs require only prior knowledge to answer

See examples of each…

Documents can be images, charts, quotations. There are usually between 7 and 10

documents per DBQ. Each document includes a “source” that should be carefully examined.

More on the DBQ in a minute….

For the FRQs, the College Board has given you choices. Students must choose

one of the two essays from Part B (Colonies through Civil War)…

…and one of the two essay choices in Part C (Reconstruction through 1980s)…

How will the DBQ be scored?

The College Board uses a 9-point scale for DBQs, so we do too:

–Essays are scored as such: 9 (100), 8 (94), 7 (88), 6 (84), 5 (78), 4 (70), 3 (65), 2 (60), 1 (55)

–The rubric is tailored each year to the specific DBQ essay, but all rubrics look for these themes…

DBQ Generic RubricContains a well-developed thesis that

clearly addresses the questionPresents an effective analysis of all

parts of the question, although treatment may be uneven

Uses substantial number of documents effectively

Uses substantial, relevant outside information to support the thesis

Clearly organized and well writtenMay have insignificant errors

Tips on Writing a DBQ (A summary of tips is provided)

DBQ Tips1. There is no right way to answer

a DBQ. Every question can illicit an infinite number of responses –The key is to make an

argument (your thesis) & support it with evidence

–All DBQs are written so that they can be argued from multiple viewpoints

DBQ Tips2. Be sure to answer the question

– This begins by gaining a clear understanding of what the question is asking

– Read the question three times & write it on your own words

– Pay attention to all parts of the question, especially the verb (compare, evaluate, assess, to what extent, etc.) & time frame (stay inside the era)

DBQ Tips3. Brainstorm & outline your essay

–Before you look at the docs or write your essay, take time to jot down what you know about the topic (PERSIA)

–What is your gut response to the question? This is usually your thesis (argument)

–What outside information do you remember about the topic?

Political, Economic, Religious, Social, Intellectual, Artistic trends of the era

DBQ Tips4. Organize your essay:

–Chronological arguments are effective for questions that ask (or imply) change-over-time

–Similarity/difference arguments are appropriate for comparison questions; Making direct comparisons within paragraphs is much more analytical than separate descriptive paragraphs about each item

DBQ Tips5. Introductory paragraph

–Establish “time & place”; show the reader that you understand the importance of the era

–Create an original thesis statement that clearly answers the question & does not simply restate the question asked

–Allude to the sub-topics or categories you will discuss to support your argument

DBQ Tips6. Body paragraphs

– Every body paragraph should be a sub-topic that supports your argument (thesis)

– Begin & end each paragraph with an original argument

– Include documentation AND outside information to support your body paragraph argument

– Balance is important: 60% outside info & 40% docs

DBQ Tips7. Documents

– Do NOT quote, paraphrase, or describe documents. The essay reader already knows what the docs say

– Do NOT laundry list (an essay that merely describes what the docs say without analysis)

– Use all the docs, unless you don’t understand one

– Cite documents…

1. Thomas Paine, in his pamphlet, Common Sense (Doc A), said: “…”

2. Joe Shmoe, a Western delegate to the Republican convention in 1912 (Doc B), agreed…

3. The 19c historian, Frederick Jackson Turner, believed... (Doc. E)

NEVER begin with: In Document G…

Citing Documents

DBQ Tips7. Documents (cont’d)

– The order in which the docs appear is almost always helpful

– Sometimes the docs “talk” to each other by presenting counter-arguments or can be grouped together by theme

– The source of the doc is important & often can reveal more than the text itself

– Write doc notes in the margin

DBQ Tips8. Concluding paragraph

– A great opportunity for analysis; Restate your essay argument

– Put your essay answer in a larger historical perspective:•End or beginning of some trend/movement/idea, etc.

•Transitionary era •Do NOT say that this is why we are where we are today!

DBQ TipsThis isn’t as scary as you think:

–“Answers to essay questions will be judged on the strength of the thesis developed, the quality of the historical argument, and the evidence offered in support of the thesis, rather than on the factual information per se.”

–The average national score on a DBQ is 3.5

DBQ Practice: Divide into groups &

create a thesis (argument) & outline for each prompt

Practice DBQ #1

Historians argue that religion played the critical factor in the

shaping the development of the North American colonies. Assess

the validity of this statement in relation to the British and

Spanish colonies by 1740.

Practice DBQ #2

To what extent had the colonists developed a sense of

their identify and unity as Americans by the eve of the

American Revolution? Use the documents and your knowledge of the era from 1750 to 1776 to

answer the question

The Real DBQNow its time to reveal your DBQThis essay is due on Friday:

–The essay can be typed or written in blue/black ink

–You may not collaborate (every year we catch duplicate essays& students receive a 0)

–Schedule an appointment to review your draft before Friday