writing the dbq

Writing the Writing the DBQDBQ

Using Using DocumenDocuments in the ts in the DBQDBQ

What is it?What is it?

An essay question that An essay question that requires you to interpret requires you to interpret primary source documents.primary source documents.

What Are the What Are the Documents for?Documents for?

To discuss events and ideas with To discuss events and ideas with which you are familiar.which you are familiar.

To support or refute the essay To support or refute the essay questionsquestions

Focus around the essay topicFocus around the essay topic

When Do I Take the When Do I Take the DBQ?DBQ?

After the multiple-choice sectionAfter the multiple-choice section

You get a green booklet with the essay You get a green booklet with the essay questions and DBQquestions and DBQ

Begins with a 15 minute mandatory Begins with a 15 minute mandatory reading periodreading periodEvaluate and interpret the Evaluate and interpret the

documentsdocuments

Document-based questions (DBQs) Document-based questions (DBQs) require you to do several things require you to do several things

well. . .well. . . You must understand the prompt and come up You must understand the prompt and come up

with an with an ““answeranswer”” that will be your thesis. that will be your thesis.

You must come up with a list of PEPS (People, You must come up with a list of PEPS (People, Events, Places, Significance) for the time period.Events, Places, Significance) for the time period.

You must use all of the documents that are You must use all of the documents that are provided.provided.

You must write a clearly organized and well-You must write a clearly organized and well-written essay.written essay.

General information about General information about the documentsthe documents

All of the documents will be relevant to the topic.All of the documents will be relevant to the topic.

Plan on using all of the documents provided.Plan on using all of the documents provided.

Sometimes the date or the author in the source Sometimes the date or the author in the source notation may be significant.notation may be significant.

The documents are generally presented The documents are generally presented chronologically.chronologically.

Pay special attention to cartoons, charts, & graphs.Pay special attention to cartoons, charts, & graphs.

Tip #1Tip #1

Read the prompt thoroughly several times. Make Read the prompt thoroughly several times. Make sure you fully understand the whole prompt.sure you fully understand the whole prompt.

Identify the time period you are dealing with.Identify the time period you are dealing with.

BrainstormBrainstorm write down all of the relevant information (PEPS) you write down all of the relevant information (PEPS) you

can think of BEFORE reading the documents.can think of BEFORE reading the documents.

Sketch an outline of how your essay will be Sketch an outline of how your essay will be structured. . .structured. . .

Outlines do not have to be Outlines do not have to be formal, just sketch a formal, just sketch a

structurestructure

SocialSocial

PoliticalPolitical

EconomicEconomic

PEPSPEPS

PEPSPEPS

PEPSPEPS

PEPSPEPS PEPSPEPS

PEPSPEPSPEPSPEPS

PEPSPEPS PEPSPEPS

PEPSPEPSPEPSPEPS

Tip #1 SummaryTip #1 Summary

You have quickly done some very important You have quickly done some very important preparation for the essay.preparation for the essay. You have carefully read the prompt several times.You have carefully read the prompt several times. You have You have ““answeredanswered”” the prompt, decided your the prompt, decided your

thesis direction.thesis direction. You have quickly jotted down some PEPS that you You have quickly jotted down some PEPS that you

can use to support your thinking.can use to support your thinking. Organized this information.Organized this information.

Now you are ready to deal with the documents.Now you are ready to deal with the documents.

Tip # 2Tip # 2

Quickly read all of the documents.Quickly read all of the documents.

As you go, indicate where on your essay As you go, indicate where on your essay ““outlineoutline”” they will go. they will go.

Remember to consider the dates in the source Remember to consider the dates in the source material.material.

Underline any unusual phrases.Underline any unusual phrases.

Jot down any quick summary thoughts about Jot down any quick summary thoughts about the documents as you read.the documents as you read.

Tip #2 (continued)Tip #2 (continued)

Look carefully at Look carefully at political cartoons.political cartoons.

Pay attention to Pay attention to any small print.any small print.

Jot down a quick Jot down a quick summary of what summary of what the cartoon is the cartoon is trying to tell you.trying to tell you.


Graphs and charts Graphs and charts are important, are important, look at them look at them carefully.carefully.

Note the dates.Note the dates.

Notice that they Notice that they frequently show frequently show change over time.change over time.

Jot down a quick Jot down a quick summary of what summary of what they indicate.they indicate.


Notice dates, especially on pictures.Notice dates, especially on pictures.

The picture on the left is dated 1915; the The picture on the left is dated 1915; the picture on the right is dated 1919.picture on the right is dated 1919.

What had changed for working women in What had changed for working women in those years? Why?those years? Why?

Tip # 2 (continued)Tip # 2 (continued)

Look very carefully Look very carefully at data presented at data presented in charts.in charts.

Look for Look for trends, trends, for changes over for changes over

time,time, for sudden changes.for sudden changes.

Summarize what Summarize what the chart tells you the chart tells you in a quick sentence. in a quick sentence.

Having read the Having read the documents. . .documents. . .

Go back and add the documents to your essay Go back and add the documents to your essay outline.outline.

Remember, you must use outside information Remember, you must use outside information AND the documents to respond to the essay AND the documents to respond to the essay prompt.prompt.

Make sure that you have both—outside Make sure that you have both—outside information and documents—to support each information and documents—to support each point of your essay.point of your essay.

Tip #2 SummaryTip #2 Summary

You have now spent about 15 minutes You have now spent about 15 minutes Reading the prompt,Reading the prompt, Brainstorming and listing relevant information,Brainstorming and listing relevant information, Planning a basic structure for your response,Planning a basic structure for your response, Putting your information onto the essay structure,Putting your information onto the essay structure, Reading the documents,Reading the documents, Adding the documents to your essay outline.Adding the documents to your essay outline.

Tip #3: Writing the Tip #3: Writing the essayessay

Refer to the document, NEVER quote them at Refer to the document, NEVER quote them at length—no more than a quick phrase or three or length—no more than a quick phrase or three or four words!four words!

DonDon’’t t explainexplain the document. Simply the document. Simply referrefer to it to to it to support your thesis.support your thesis.

Refer to the author of the document: Refer to the author of the document: ““In LincolnIn Lincoln’’s s letterletter”” or or ““Horace Mann makes the pointHorace Mann makes the point”” or or ““in the in the Nast cartoon.Nast cartoon.””

Cite every document by using its letter, e.g. (A). Cite every document by using its letter, e.g. (A). You donYou don’’t need to say (doc. A).t need to say (doc. A).

This document appeared in This document appeared in the 1999 DBQ. Notice the the 1999 DBQ. Notice the

source note.source note.

The most significant thing about this The most significant thing about this document is the date in the source document is the date in the source

note.note. This document was intended to bring to mind the This document was intended to bring to mind the

following:following: The 1754 meeting of the London Board of Trade,The 1754 meeting of the London Board of Trade, Benjamin Franklin, printer from Philadelphia and Benjamin Franklin, printer from Philadelphia and

colonial agent,colonial agent, FranklinFranklin’’s Albany Plan of Union,s Albany Plan of Union, The Albany Plan of UnionThe Albany Plan of Union’’s provisions for a colonial s provisions for a colonial

legislature,legislature, The ultimate failure of the colonies to accept the The ultimate failure of the colonies to accept the

Albany Plan of Union in 1754. Albany Plan of Union in 1754.

This document might be used This document might be used like this:like this:

An excellent indication that the colonies An excellent indication that the colonies were unwilling to act together in a unified way is were unwilling to act together in a unified way is their failure to accept Franklintheir failure to accept Franklin ’’s plan for a s plan for a colonial legislature as put forth in his 1754 colonial legislature as put forth in his 1754 Albany Plan of Union. The cartoon expresses Albany Plan of Union. The cartoon expresses FranklinFranklin’’s contention that the colonies must act s contention that the colonies must act together or together or ““diedie”” (A). Yet very few of the (A). Yet very few of the colonial assemblies were willing to accept this colonial assemblies were willing to accept this contention.contention.

Here is a text passage from a Here is a text passage from a recent DBQ and a sample recent DBQ and a sample

essay reference:essay reference:

One of the most significant attempts to extend democratic ideals One of the most significant attempts to extend democratic ideals throughout society was that organized by the women's movement in the late throughout society was that organized by the women's movement in the late 1840s. Meeting at Seneca Falls, NY, a group of women brought together by 1840s. Meeting at Seneca Falls, NY, a group of women brought together by Lucy Stone, Lucretia Mott, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton demanded their right to Lucy Stone, Lucretia Mott, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton demanded their right to vote and their right to be represented in the government (I). These are the most vote and their right to be represented in the government (I). These are the most fundamental and basic of rights in a genuinely democratic society.fundamental and basic of rights in a genuinely democratic society.

Sample QuestionSample Question

1)1) Although New England and the Chesapeake Although New England and the Chesapeake region were both settled largely by the region were both settled largely by the people of English origin, by 1700 the regions people of English origin, by 1700 the regions had evolved into two distinct societies. Why had evolved into two distinct societies. Why did this difference in development occur?did this difference in development occur?

Use the documents AND your knowledge of the Use the documents AND your knowledge of the colonial period up to 1700 to develop your colonial period up to 1700 to develop your answer….answer….

Circle or underline the key parts to the Circle or underline the key parts to the question.question.

Sample Question Sample Question BreakdownBreakdown

1.1. Although Although New EnglandNew England and the and the ChesapeakeChesapeake region were both settled region were both settled largely by the people of English origin, by largely by the people of English origin, by 1700 the regions had evolved into two 1700 the regions had evolved into two distinct societies. Why did this difference in distinct societies. Why did this difference in development occur?development occur?


1.1. Although Although New EnglandNew England and the and the ChesapeakeChesapeake region were region were both settledboth settled largely by the people of English origin, by largely by the people of English origin, by 1700 the regions had evolved into two 1700 the regions had evolved into two distinct societies. Why did this difference in distinct societies. Why did this difference in development occur?development occur?


1.1. Although Although New EnglandNew England and the and the ChesapeakeChesapeake region were region were both settledboth settled largely by the people of largely by the people of English originEnglish origin, by , by 1700 the regions had evolved into two 1700 the regions had evolved into two distinct societies. Why did this difference in distinct societies. Why did this difference in development occur?development occur?


1.1. Although Although New EnglandNew England and the and the ChesapeakeChesapeake region were region were both settledboth settled largely by the people of largely by the people of English originEnglish origin, by , by 17001700 the regions had the regions had evolvedevolved into two into two distinct societies. Why did this difference in distinct societies. Why did this difference in development occur?development occur?


1.1. Although Although New EnglandNew England and the and the ChesapeakeChesapeake region were region were both settledboth settled largely by the people of largely by the people of English originEnglish origin, by , by 17001700 the regions had the regions had evolvedevolved into into two two distinct societiesdistinct societies. . WhyWhy did this did this differencedifference in in developmentdevelopment occur? occur?


New England regionNew England region

Chesapeake regionChesapeake region


Both settledBoth settled

English originEnglish origin

Why settled, when settled, how settled?Why settled, when settled, how settled?


By 1700----colonial time periodBy 1700----colonial time period

Evolved---grew into or developedEvolved---grew into or developed

Two distinct societies---differeTwo distinct societies---differe


Why did this difference in development Why did this difference in development occur?occur?


Your knowledge of the colonial period up to Your knowledge of the colonial period up to 17001700 to develop your answer…. to develop your answer…...

OUTSIDE INFORMATION


• Thoroughly examine and analyze the question

• Brainstorm for information– Cluster/outline– List of important events, people and other

pertinent information (PEPS)

Reading the DocumentsReading the Documents

Use the Use the APPARTSAPPARTS to help you understand the to help you understand the documentsdocuments

AA = Author = Author

PP = Place and Time = Place and Time

PP = Prior Knowledge = Prior Knowledge

AA = Audience = Audience

RR = Reason = Reason

TT = The Main Idea = The Main Idea

SS = Significance = Significance


Document OrderDocument Order

ChronologicalChronological - if the test is asking you - if the test is asking you trace the historical development.trace the historical development.

Otherwise – organized for Otherwise – organized for compare and compare and contrastcontrast (draw comparisons in your essay). (draw comparisons in your essay).


InconsistenciesInconsistencies

Not all documents agreeNot all documents agree

Present different view pointsPresent different view points

Recognize inconsistenciesRecognize inconsistencies APPARTS help you identify the source and APPARTS help you identify the source and

differing opinions of the same event or datadiffering opinions of the same event or data


Once you decided on your thesis: (documents)Once you decided on your thesis: (documents)

1.1. Supporting evidenceSupporting evidence

2.2. Contradicting evidenceContradicting evidence

- incorporate and acknowledge these - incorporate and acknowledge these

3.3. Why was that document included?Why was that document included?

4.4. Add more outside info (???)Add more outside info (???)

Thesis DevelopmentThesis Development

Read question one more timeRead question one more time

Develop an argument you can proveDevelop an argument you can prove

Make sure your thesis addresses all pertinent Make sure your thesis addresses all pertinent aspects of the questionaspects of the question

Write Your EssayWrite Your Essay

Get to the pointGet to the point

Back thesis up with facts, solid evidence Back thesis up with facts, solid evidence not not flufffluff opening statement with your opinion, restate the opening statement with your opinion, restate the

question and 3 argumentsquestion and 3 arguments

3 or 4 different issues or topic sentences3 or 4 different issues or topic sentences

Make sure you are addressing the questionMake sure you are addressing the question

Refer back to the question several timesRefer back to the question several times

Include as many documents as possible and be Include as many documents as possible and be sure you cite each document usedsure you cite each document used

DonDon’’t quote document----summarize or main ideat quote document----summarize or main idea

Final ConclusionFinal Conclusion

Ending paragraph which Ending paragraph which summarizessummarizes what what you have written.you have written.

This is not part of the body…….This is not part of the body…….

Last WordLast Word

Stay confidentStay confident

DonDon’’t panict panic

Take a deep breath to relaxTake a deep breath to relax

You are going to learn how to write theseYou are going to learn how to write these

Remember, everyone else in the U.S. who is Remember, everyone else in the U.S. who is taking APUSH is in the same boat as you.taking APUSH is in the same boat as you.

SummarySummary

Understand the prompt—the time period and Understand the prompt—the time period and any terms that need defining.any terms that need defining.

Produce a brainstormed list of relevant and Produce a brainstormed list of relevant and useful fact FIRST, before reading the useful fact FIRST, before reading the documents.documents.

Organize how you will use both the outside Organize how you will use both the outside information and the documents.information and the documents.

Use all of the documents without quoting them Use all of the documents without quoting them and citing them as you go.and citing them as you go.

Write a clear and well-organized essay that Write a clear and well-organized essay that demonstrates an understanding of the prompt.demonstrates an understanding of the prompt.

writing the dbq

Documents

essay prompt

dbqusing documents

essay outline

essay topicwhen

essay questionsfocus

primary source documents

wellwritten essay

relevant information