DBQ Reminders AP World History

DBQ Reminders “Map” out or outline your essay based on the prompt or question. Your thesis MUST reflect the prompt or question. A DBQ response should be 3-4 pages long. If I can’t read it I won’t grade it! The AP exam graders have the same attitude. Use the Document Analysis Sheet & the DBQ checklist. Remember my “court case” analogy. Use the document # when identifying the documents. Your first paragraph should be your thesis. Don’t quote, paraphrase instead. Your goal is NOT to summarize, but to prove your thesis.

Basic Core Points Thesis Understanding Groupings (documents may be used more than once) Evidence (x2 points) Additional document Point-of view

How is a DBQ like a court case? Your thesis is like an opening statement. It is what you will prove based upon the evidence that you present from the documents. Your groups help to bring credibility to the evidence just like two eyewitnesses who witnessed the same thing. Your evidence is just like evidence or eyewitness testimony in court. It proves your case, but you need to conclude by restating what has been proven. Your additional document is like the one eyewitness a lawyer needs to call in court to prove their case.

DBQ Formula 1 st Paragraph – Thesis statement (what do the documents prove as it addresses the prompt?) Think “The documents prove that ….” 2 nd Paragraph through ? (have at least 2 groups) First sentence - grouping sentence (what do they have in common that’s written in the document) “Documents ___ and ___ can be grouped together because they prove that…” Specific evidence that’s paraphrased & cited from the grouped documents that prove your thesis – proves understanding & supplies evidence. Address point of view as you discuss two (2) documents. Prove your case by writing a short paragraph for each. “The point of view in document ___ is such that/ one of…..” Next paragraphs(?) – individual documents that can’t be grouped (making sure you use all of the documents) “Document ___ proves that…” Specific evidence for each document Address point of view. Prove your case by writing a short paragraph for each. “The point of view in document ___ is such that/ one of…..” Last paragraph – one (1) additional document (make your case by writing a short paragraph that it’s the “missing voice”) “An additional document from ____________ would be helpful or insightful because……….”