Document Based Questioning

Learning Goal By the end of this lesson I will be able to provide a detailed, organized response to the analytical question (question 4) on the Document Based Questioning Assignment.

Document Based Questioning Although the DBQ (Document Based Question) tests your knowledge of a subject, its primary purpose is evaluate your ability to utilize the historical method. When writing a DBQ you will be required to work with the documents to effectively answer the questions provided. Writing a DBQ is an acquired skill and takes practice. When writing a DBQ it is not about finding the right answer, it is about being able to provide a balanced interpretation that is well defended using the documents and your own knowledge.

Tips for Success Read the documents carefully. There will be four text sources and one visual source (ex. cartoon, map, table of statistics). Read the questions carefully, highlighting command terms. First be sure that you understand the content before you attempt an analysis of the documents. Consider the author’s perspective and potential limitations that exist as a result of this. Assess the documents validity. Make sure that you make use of all the documents, do not rely on 1 or 2. Use the marks as a guide to the length your answer should be. Don’t write a whole page in answer to a question worth 2 or 3 marks. Watch your time! You only have 60 minutes to complete Paper 1.

The Questions

Question 1 It is a comprehension question that asks you to identify key facts that are stated in the source. The question is divided into two parts and is worth 5 marks. Answering question 1 should not take long. Use the number of marks allocated to each question as a guide – 3 marks means you need to identify three reasons.

Question 2 It is a “compare and contrast” question (remember what this command term requires), and will be worth 6 marks. Make sure you use the correct sources. These questions are worth 6 marks, so you should be looking for three comparisons and three contrasts. On some occasions you may have more contrasts than comparisons or vice versa. Use brief examples from the document to support your claims.

Question 2 (continued) Be detailed, broad comparisons will not gain many marks. This question is about trying to identify agreement/disagreement in the two sources, avoid comments on the origins of the source. It is better to write your answers as a continuous prose rather than bullet points as you will write more developed and analytical comments. You must compare and contrast!

Question 2 (continued) Time span Tone Factual evidence Point of view Purpose Plausibility

Question 3 It is a source evaluation question and it will always ask you to assess the origins, purpose, value and limitations of two sources. This question is worth six marks. Use the information provided to you in the attribution to help you develop your answer. Look for connections between origin/purpose and value/limitation.

Question 3 (continued) You must refer to all four terms (OPVL) for both sources to receive full marks. Avoid overly simplistic statements like “This source is a primary source and therefore valuable” or “a limitation of this source is that it is biased”. All sources are excerpts so do not use this as a limitation. Use the terms “origin”, “purpose”, “value”, and “limitation to avoid confusion.

Question 4 It is a mini-essay question where you are expected to use both the sources and your own knowledge to answer the question. This question is worth 8 marks. Try to incorporate as many sources as possible. All five is ideal. When writing the main body of the essay you should make clear reference to the sources. Paraphrasing is fine. (ex. “Both Sources A and D…)

Question 4 (continued) When possible, include historiography that will help support your argument. Your own knowledge should be detailed and relevant. If you use only the sources or your own knowledge you will not gain more than 5 marks. Leave enough time for this question. Allow approximately minutes to complete the analysis.

Sample Question Please use your graphic organizer to address the following Paper 1, Question 4: Using these sources and your own knowledge, analyse the opposition to the Gang of Four. [8 marks]