WRITING A DBQ: AP U.S. History

What Is a DBQ? An essay question that asks you to take a position on an issue that has several possible answers No “right” or “correct” response You must craft a thesis based on your own knowledge and your interpretation of the evidence presented

DBQ Documents Charts, graphs, and maps Newspaper articles/editorials Speeches Letters Diaries Laws Treaties Executive orders Editorial cartoons

The Question Read the question carefully,then think about the following: What is the essence of the question? Is it a yes/no, “to what extent,” or “compare and contrast” question? Does it have more than one part? Are there bullets provided? Is there a choice of responses?

Sample DBQ: Multipart Question Discuss the changing ideals of American womanhood between the American Revolution (1770s) and the outbreak of the Civil War. What factors fostered the emergence of “republican motherhood” and the “cult of domesticity”? Assess the extent to which these ideals influenced the lives of women during this period. In your answer be sure to consider issues of race and class.

Construct a Database Use a database to organize outside information you know that may be relevant to the question Write down headings on the back of your test booklet Create the database before you read the documents Next, read the documents and add any other info to your database that occurs to you

Analyzing the Documents A document is not a fact, but a piece of evidence to interpret Point of view is crucial Does the document support or refute your thesis?

Analyzing the Documents: SOAPS S subject What is being discussed? O occasion What is the context of events? A audience To whom is the message directed? P purpose What is the recommended action to the reader? S speaker What/who is the source?

Analyzing the Documents: APPARTS A=Author: Who created the source? What do you know about the author? What is the author’s point of view? P=Place and time: Where and when was the source produced? How might this have affected the content of the source? P=Prior knowledge: Beyond information about the author and the context of its creation, what do you know that would help you further understand the source?

Analyzing the Documents: APPARTS (continued) A=Audience: For whom was the source created? How might this affect the reliability of the source? R=Reason why: Why was this source produced? How might this affect the reliability of the source? T=The main idea: What point is the source trying to convey? S=Significance: Why is this source important? Ask yourself, “So what?” in relation to the question asked.