How do I set up my DBQ?

Thesis: (Plan of Attack) It’s the opening paragraph that will explain your position to the question.  The thesis statement is the most important part. It cannot simply be a re-writing of the question.  The supporting sentences will be the topics/subjects for your next 3 paragraphs.

Body of the DBQ:  3 Paragraphs.  Each paragraph needs a major topic sentence that supports your thesis.  Each paragraph needs 3 or 4 pieces of factual information that supports each topic sentence.

Concluding Statement: The last paragraph.  It can simply be a sentence bringing your ideas together or a rewording of your thesis statement.

How to use a document: A document is used to support your topic sentence as well as your thesis. Use it to back up or emphasize what you are attempting to prove. When reading the document, take a few notes, find out how you can use it in your essay. When writing the essay, you may quote the document or paraphrase it in your essay. Be sure to put the document # in parenthesis. (Doc.5)

How to use a document: For at least three documents, mention the Point of View of the author. What is the opinion or bias of the author? Why might they be biased? For example (as in the DBQ we will be doing), why might someone wealthy speak negatively of the poor? What would be their bias?

Writing warning: The historical background is designed to help familiarize the student with the topic and time period he or she will be writing about. DO NOT use it in your essay. It is not a document and should not be summarized. Its purpose is to guide you toward outside information. When you read the historical background, look at dates, locations, persons mentioned to help you remember the outside facts & details.

Analyze attitudes toward and responses to “the poor” in Europe between approximately 1450 and How do we start to write the essay?

Analyze attitudes toward and responses to “the poor” in Europe between approximately 1450 and attitudes toward approximately AND responses to Analyze betweenEurope “the poor” 1450 and in * to examine carefully and in detail so as to identify causes, key factors, possible results, etc. * manner, disposition, feeling, position, etc., with regard to a person or thing * an answer or reply, as in words, in actions, or in some policy. * persons having little or no money, goods, or other means of support * think of major events from that you may be able to refer back to Be sure to analyze and answer both parts of the statement

 Thesis with a POA (plan of attack).  The thesis must address ALL parts of the question.  It must be clear, concise, analytical, and specific.  Answer the question/prompt in the first part of your thesis and then follow it up with the organizational categories.  It must contain 3 organizational categories.  Do not simply restate the question in your thesis- you must be specific.

 Begin with Topic Sentence- discuss the first organization category.  The next 3 or 4 sentences should use 2 or 3 documents to support your topic sentence and include the point of view for 1 or 2 documents.  End the paragraph with a ‘clincher’, tell the reader what the documents have in common, how do they relate to the thesis, transition to the next paragraph.

 Begin with Topic Sentence- discuss the second organization category.  The rest of the paragraph follows the same format as paragraph 2

 Begin with Topic Sentence- discuss the third organization category.  The rest of the paragraph follows the same format as paragraph 2 & 3

 Concluding Paragraph.  Restate your thesis at the end.  Clarify and summarize your information.  Conclusion can be 2 or 3 sentences- just be sure to bring the information from the 3 organizational categories together.