DBQ

1. DBQ DOCUMENT BASED QUESTION

2. What Is It? • An essay question that requires you to interpret primary source documents. • Documents might include the following: • Newspaper articles/editorials • Letters/diaries • Speeches • Legislation • Political cartoons • Charts and graphs

3. Why am I learning this? • If you take an AP class in 10th grade, you most likely will take AP U.S. History • AP U.S. fulfills the 10th grade requirement • Students write a DBQ on the AP U.S. exam • They also write 3 DBQs during the year • Mr. Wynne loves you  • I don’t love you 

5. What Are the Documents for? • To discuss events and ideas with which you are familiar. • To support or refute the essay questions • Provide focus • Free brainstorm

6. Is There a Right Answer to Each DBQ? • Yes • Multiple arguments • Develop your argument (thesis) with evidence (include outside information) • Use a strong argument

7. SAMPLE QUESTION • Evaluate the validity of the following statement: During the Cold War, it was almost impossible for European countries to remain neutral. Use the documents AND your knowledge of the 20th century to develop your answer….

8. I Have the Question, Now What Do I Do? Getting Started • Read the question and documents thoroughly • Come up with three topics for discussion • Ask these two questions • Do I have an opinion about this subject? • What must I discuss in order to write a successful essay? (most important)

9. Getting Started Cont. • DBQs are 5 paragraph essays • Introductory paragraph • Set the tone-make it interesting • Rephrase question • Your opinion-clear and concise thesis • Introduce your arguments • Body • At least 3 full length paragraphs • You need to use the majority of the documents to backup your argument. You also need LOTS of outside info. • The more you use, the better your essay if they are used correctly • Conclusion-least important

10. Reading the Documents Once you decided on your thesis: (documents) • Supporting evidence • Contradicting evidence - incorporate and acknowledge these • Why was that document included? • Add more outside info (???)

11. Thesis Development • Read question one more time • Develop an argument you can prove • Make sure your thesis addresses all pertinent aspects of the question • Intro paragraph should start out general-then get very specific at the end-your thesis should clearly indicate your 3 topics for discussion

12. Write Your Essay • Get to the point • Back thesis up with facts, solid evidence not fluff • opening statement with your opinion, restate the question and 3 arguments • 3 different issues or topic sentences • Make sure you are addressing the question • Refer back to the question a few times • Include as many documents as possible and be sure you cite each document used 75% rule • Don’t quote document----summarize or main idea • Underlinefactual information you want “readers” to see….and list documents when you use them…. (DocA)

13. Final Conclusion • Ending paragraph which summarizeswhat you have written. • This is not part of the body…….

14. The Last Word • Stay confident • Don’t panic • Take a deep breath to relax • You are going to learn how to write these • Remember, everyone else in the U.S. who is taking APUSH is in the same boat as you.

15. Questions??? • DBQs • AP U.S. • AP STUFF • OTHER