The DBQ

The D.B.Q. Defined A Document-Based Question means they want a document-based answer. The essay will refer to a number of documents You will not have an immediate answer.

What do you do? Read the instructions. Analyze the documents. Write a well-organized essay. Integrate the documents into your essay as support.

Rule #1: Don’t Panic. READ! The answer is in the documents, not your worries. Time is short and worry wastes time. Get moving to maximize each moment.

Rule #1: Don’t Panic. READ! (Continued) Read quickly Make notes in the test booklet as you read Categorize documents

Things to be aware of: You won’t know that much about the subject. You are being judged on your ability to analyze documents. You don’t need to use all of the documents.

Before you start writing: Read and Analyze the Documents for Reference and Use

Analyze using the “APPARTS” Method A: Author P: Place and Time P: Prior Knowledge A: Audience R: Reason T: The Main Idea S: Significance

Author Who created the source? What do you know about the author? What is the author’s point of view?

Place and Time Where was the source produced? When was the source produced? How might this affect the meaning of the source?

Prior Knowledge What do you know that would help you further understand the primary source? Do you recognize any symbols?

Audience For whom was the source created? How might this affect the reliability of the source? How might this influence the view expressed?

Reason Why was this source produced at the time it was produced? What was the motivation for its production?

The Main Idea What point is the source trying to convey? Is the point objective or is the purpose totally to influence or persuade?

Significance Why is this source important? What inferences can you draw from this document? Ask yourself, “So what?” in relation to the big issue.

Before you start writing: Outline and pre-write: It will help your organization.

As you write. . . . Stick to your thesis (topic). Follow your outline but be willing to adjust. Stay organized.

As you write. . . . Use every document appropriate to support your argument(s). Make notes as new ideas come to you.

When to cite a document: Whenever you use a document for support Whenever the document was part of your reasoning Whenever you use a document to form a conclusion Whenever the document relates to your argument

How to label a document reference: “As stated in Document 2, . . .” “As indicated by the data in Document 1, “ “As Lord Lonsdale stated (Doc. 9), . . . “

Be Confident! The information needed is in the documents. Try to bring in other information if you can. Stay on topic. Watch the time.

Don’t. . . . Quote extensively. Do a “laundry list” approach. Stray off the topic. Forget to answer the whole question. Waste time.

Summary Don’t panic. Do it! The answer is in the documents! Organize and be clear. Wake up that reader and make them pay attention to your brilliance! ‘5’