Writing the DBQ

Document Based Question Essay Writing a DBQ is just like writing a regular essay Answer the essay question Include a thesis statement Well-organized body paragraphs that develops each point of the thesis Each point is supported with concrete examples

In a DBQ, You must CITE the DOCUMENTS GIVEN in your essay You can cite the documents in two ways: Direct quote (writing text EXACTLY as it appears) Summary (where you REFER to a source )

Proper Citation is VERY IMPORTANT!! ….corporate greed led to exploitation of child labor…Many children were physically abused for minor infractions and often suffered from poor ventilation (Document A). <Referring to document (paraphrasing)> According to a witness testimony given by Abraham Whitehead, a clothing manufacturer, “[child laborers] have no opportunity of going to school” (Document C) <Direct quote- (quotation marks)>

Proper Citation in a DBQ Direct quotes and summaries of a document must be followed by the proper citation: “(Document [Letter])” at the end of the citation/quote Citing a document twice counts as ONCE!

In your BODY PARAGRAPHS, You must include all your direct quotes and/or references using proper citations

Simply listing the documents is not enough! You must show a CLEAR UNDERSTANDING of the documents This means you must Link the document to the speaker or author Identify their points of view Analyze/explain the quote