1. Writing the DBQ: Thesis Statement
AP World History
Writing the DBQ:
Thesis Statement

2. Document Based Question (DBQ) Essay
You will have 40 minutes to write the essay.
10 minute reading period
group and analyze the documents.
You will be given between 4 to 10 documents.
Documents may include maps, pictures, and charts.

3. What does a good thesis statement do?
Answers the question
Takes a stand
Previews the argument

4. Thesis
Write a thesis statement that outlines what you plan to address in your essay.
The thesis statement is not a restating of the question.
It is an introduction lays out what you will write about.

5. Thesis Statement Thesis can be in the introduction or conclusion
If you begin to write your essay in the introductory paragraph, you have NOT written a good thesis statement.
If your thesis statement stated, “some things are similar and some things are different;”
that is not a thesis statement
VAGUE is BAD!

6. Thesis Statement Example of a good thesis statement:
The Green Revolution, which began after World War II, has had many successes and consequences, however, the consequences far out weigh any of the successes and it is continuing to threaten the world’s welfare because instead of the threat of starvation, people now face the overpowering threats of harmful foods, disease, unfailing pests and a lack of sufficient water. The constant advance of technology and pressure caused the Green Revolution to fail miserably.

7. Thesis Activity
Decide which statement is an appropriate thesis statement.
PROMPT
Analyze factors that shaped the modern Olympic movement from 1892 to Identify and explain what additional type of document(s) or sources would help you assess these factors.

8. Writing the Thesis Statement and DBQ Essay
WHAP
Writing the Thesis Statement and DBQ Essay
Day 2

9. 7 Steps to the DBQ
Read the directions

10. 1. Read directions Mark rubric
Has relevant thesis and supports that thesis with evidence from the documents.
Uses all documents.
Analyzes the documents by grouping them in as many ways as possible. Does not simply summarize the documents individually. 1 2 1 1

11. 1. Read directions
Takes into account the sources of the documents and analyzes the author’s point of view.
Explains the need for at least one additional type of document. 1 1

12. 1. Read directions
In margin, create list of document numbers to check off after you use each one.

13. 7 Steps to the DBQ 2. Read and Analyze the prompt
Underline what the prompt is asking you to do.
Read the historical background provided

14. 7 Steps to the DBQ 3. Write a preliminary thesis Thesis MUST haves:
AP – answer the prompt
Time/Place
3 Categories/Groups

15. 7 Steps to the DBQ
4. Read and analyze the documents a. SOAPStone b. POV c. Categorize/group d. Additional Document - Why?

16. 7 Steps to the DBQ 5. Re-evaluate thesis and plan essay
- Write introduction paragraph
1 sentence thesis
Must be in dark blue or black ink

17. 6. Write the essay 7 Steps to the DBQ Body paragraphs X 3
Topic sentence
Identify the grouping
May list the documents in this group
EX: Documents 6, 7, and 9 present the idea of how the Green Revolution led to changes in cultural lifestyles.

18. 7 Steps to the DBQ 6. Body paragraphs Explain the document
Show your understanding of what the document means
Use the document as evidence of the prompt

19. 7 Steps to the DBQ Doc. 1 Understanding Doc. 1 Evidence
In doc. 1, a Han government official talks about flood prevention and requests the establishment of conservation offices in each district to help with flooding.
Doc. 1 Evidence
This technology was important to Chinese society because it was extremely beneficial in preventing crop loss due to devastating floods.

20. 7 Steps to the DBQ 6. Body paragraphs POV
Template idea:
" It makes sense that _________ (person) believes this because he/she is ______________."

21. 7 Steps to the DBQ 6. Body paragraphs Additional Document
Must help answer the prompt
Explain why you need this document
EX: An additional document that would help is a graph showing how much water farmers have used over the past 100 years. It is important because if what Dr. Shiva has said about water shortages is true, then the graph will show just how much water is being used.

22. 7 Steps to the DBQ
7. Conclusion
Rewrite thesis

23. Rule of THREE
THREE Groups
THREE POVs
THREE Additional Documents

24. Point of View
You must look for and state three (3) points of view (POV’s).
POV’s are identified the following ways:
Who
What
When
Where
Why

25. Document POV’s
What is the main idea or topic being said in the document?
Why would this person be saying/creating this document at this time and place?
How does the document help me answer the question that is being asked?

26. Scoring the DBQ There are a total of 9 points for the DBQ.
The basic core consists of 7 points.
The expanded core will make up the rest of the total points.
YOU MUST SCORE ALL BASIC POINTS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE EXPANDED CORE POINTS.

27. Components of the DBQ Essay – Core Points (MANDATORY)
Thesis statement that is not just a restating of the question.
Using all of the documents in your essay.
Grouping and thoughtfully analyzing the documents. DON’T LIST DOCUMENTS!
Stating the point of view/perspective on minimum of three (3) of the documents
Using the documents to support your thesis.
Adding an additional document that would help support your thesis.

28. Components of the DBQ Essay – Expanded Core
Extremely strong thesis statement.
Adding more than one additional document to your essay.
Completely and thoroughly answering the question.
Remember, you must score all basic points in order to receive expanded core.