Suggestions for Success in Advanced Placement World History How To Write a DBQ Suggestions for Success in Advanced Placement World History Common themes?

Overview of the National Exam The national APWH exam is broken into two major sections: Section 1: Part A (55 minutes) 55 multiple choice questions 40% Section 1: Part B (40 minutes) 3 SAQ Writer MUST answer the first two SAQ’s, however, the third SAQ is chosen from Questions 3 or 4. Writer’s choice 20%

Overview of the National Exam The national APWH exam is broken into two major sections: Section 2: Part A (60 minutes) DBQ 25% Section 2: Part B (40 minutes) 2 LEQ Writer MUST answer one of the two LEQ’s. Writer’s choice 20%

Overview of Section 2: the Essays For the essay section of the national exam, there will always be 3 essays (1 DBQ & 2 LEQs) however, you have a choice to write only one of the two LEQ’s: The DBQ requires the use of both prior knowledge & document interpretation The LEQs require only prior knowledge to answer See examples of each…

Documents can be images, charts, quotations Documents can be images, charts, quotations. There are usually between 6 or 7documents per DBQ. Each document includes a “source” that should be carefully examined.

DBQ Generic Rubric Contains a well-developed thesis that clearly answers all parts of the question Presents 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 written May have insignificant errors

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

DBQ Tips 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 Tips 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 using 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 Tips 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 Tips 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 Tips 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 Tips 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 Tips 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…

NEVER begin with: In Document G… Citing Documents Thomas Paine, in his pamphlet, Common Sense (Doc A), was trying to… Joe Shmoe, a Western delegate to the Republican convention in 1912 (Doc B), agreed… The 19th century historian, Frederick Jackson Turner, believed... (Doc. E) NEVER begin with: In Document G…

DBQ Tips 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 Tips 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!