1. The Document Based Question
The Formula

2. The Question
Using the documents and your knowledge of world history, compare Han and Roman attitudes toward technology.

3. Step 1 – Contextualization
Connect historical phenomena relevant to your argument to broader events and processes
Start your introductory paragraph with 2 -4 sentences of historical context—what in World History has led up to the point of the prompt?

4. Step 1 -Contextualization
The Han Dynasty and Roman Empire were two of the largest classical empires and both experienced a period of expansion. Both empires developed technology to help with this expansion both for military and practical purposes such as metallurgy and the water mills.

5. Step 2 – Thesis Statement
State a relevant thesis that directly addresses all parts of the question
If the prompt is about continuity and change you must address both in your thesis; if it is about causes and effects you must address both; if it asks you to defend, modify, or refute you should write a qualifying thesis

6. The Thesis Paragraph
During the Classical Era, Han and Roman thinkers had varying attitudes toward technology. Both Han and Roman officials used technology to benefit the public and both saw the utility in investing in technology. There was, however, a difference in attitude in that the Romans viewed work in technology more negatively than the Chinese who saw it as noble work.

7. Step 3- Documents
Incorporate analysis of all or all but one of the documents into your argument
You must explain the historical content of the document & explain how it supports your thesis
NEVER directly quote a document
DO provide parenthetical citation (doc. 1)
Doc

8. Step 4- Document Analysis and Outside Evidence
SOAP
For each document you must also address at least one of the following: intended audience, purpose, historical context, and/or point of view
Historical context is the strongest choice because you also earn credit for using outside evidence
If you address audience you must explain not only who the audience was, but why
Need to link why document is important in relation to the QUESTION BEING ASKED OR
WHAT the source has to do with THE QUESTION BEING ASKED!

9. Step 4- Document Analysis and Outside Evidence
Need to include at least one to two pieces of outside information about the person or events surrounding the document

10. Body Paragraph #1 Topic Sentence for Category #1
State first document supporting Category 1 and author
Provide Evidence from Document
Provide Historical Context, Audience, Purpose, or POV of Document
Why document supports question
Second document supporting Category 1
Evidence from Document
Third document supporting Category 1

11. Document 1

12. Evidence Specific information from document
Pull 1-2 specific pieces of information from each document
The official wants to establish water conservation offices
He discusses how to staff them
He also outlines what needs to be done regarding inspections of various technologies in the districts
Try to include 1-3 pieces of OUTSIDE information in your essay

13. Evidence Specific information from document Audience-
Pull 1-2 specific pieces of information from each document
Example from Han/Rome DBQ: Document 1
The official wants to establish water conservation offices
He discusses how to staff them
He also outlines what needs to be done regarding inspections of various technologies in the districts
Audience-
Local government officials and govt report the document reflects the idea the Han used technology to solve practical problems.
Outside Evidence-
China was an agrarian society that relied on irrigation and if water were scarce it affected their ability to grow food.
Han dynasty had a large bureaucracy that help to run their large empire.

14. Body Paragraph #1
Both the Han dynasty and Rome saw the benefits of using technology to help the common people. In Han China, for example, a government official gives specific instruction regarding the oversight of infrastructure in the provinces. He outlined the process for establishing water conservation offices and directed his officials to staff them with qualified individuals. He requested that inspections be made throughout the provinces. These inspection aims to ensure that the technology was working. (doc 1) The instructions were intended for local officials which reflect the Han’s embrace of technology to solve practical problems. The Han Dynasty was an agrarian society which relied on irrigation and if water were scarce it affected their ability to grow food. The Han also had a large bureaucracy that helped run their empire.

15. Conclusion
Extend the thesis (build on each of the three parts of the thesis)
Synthesize the topic sentences (pull it all together – what’s the big picture? Expand on thesis by telling why is this is important. How does it relate to the future or to events going on outside the area? )

16. Conclusion
Technology was seen by some as a means to improve society by improving production and making jobs more efficient, and thus the quality of life. However, some view technology as a hindrance to society because it distracted men from intellectual pursuits which were viewed as more noble than working with your hands. Over the course of history civilizations have embraced technology to supply the basic needs of their population and defend themselves against enemy attacks. The importance of technology in development can be seen later in history in Europe by contrasting Eastern and Western Europe. Western Europe in the 1600’s-1700’s was embracing new technology and was at the cusp of a second Agricultural Revolution whereas Eastern Europe was using practices standard in the Middle ages. Eastern Europe’s lack of technology made them more vulnerable to attack.