1. Document Based Questions
Global Studies I
Mr. Cox

2. Bellringer Essential Question What is a DBQ?
What is the answer to the first scaffolding question?
Essential Question

3. What is a DBQ? Document Based Question
One of two writing assignments featured on the Global History and US History Regent’s Exams
Consists of:
4-9 documents with scaffolding questions
Essay writing assignment based off of the documents

4. Remember:
Writing a DBQ is a skill…it takes practice and PLANNING! Remember this: there is actually no “right” or “wrong” answer. As long as your answer is LOGICAL and your interpretation is supported by the documents, you are correct.

5. Step One
1 Read the task  Brainstorm… and write down a “bulleted” list of what you already know which will become your “outside information.” (answering who?, what?, where?, when?, why?, how?). Spend no more than 5 minutes on this step.

6. Brainstorm! Example: List positive and negative effects
Discuss both the Cultural and Political contributions of Greek culture.
List positive and negative effects
List outside information
Use specifics (names, places, etc.)

7. Scaffolding
Begin reading the documents and answering the “scaffolding” questions.
Read each question following the document.
Then read the document.
Underline any information that will help you answer the question.
Answer the question in a complete sentence.
(Hint: If the question is worth 1 point, write ONE sentence. If the question is worth 2 points, write TWO sentences).

8. Sample: Map or Chart
Based on this time line, identify two ways that people’s lives changed during the Neolithic Revolution. [2]

9. Sample: Map
1. What effect did Japan’s location have on cultural diffusion from China? [1]
2. Identify one cultural contribution to Japanese society that came from China. [1]

10. Sample: Reading question
The Neolithic Revolution also changed the way people lived. In place of scattered hunting communities, the farmers lived in villages. Near groups of villages, small towns grew up, and later cities too. Thus the Neolithic Revolution made civilization itself possible. (The Ancient Near East) Within the villages, towns and cities, it was possible for people to specialize in the sort of work they could do best. Many stopped producing food at all, making instead tools and other goods that farmers needed, and for which they gave them food in exchange. This process of exchange led to trade and traders, and the growth of trade made it possible for people to specialize even more
Based on this document, state one impact of the Neolithic Revolution on the way people lived. [1]

11. Understand the basic meaning of the documents….
Make a chart with the document number, and what the main point of the document is when you plan.

12. Thesis
What is being asked? Underline the tasks asked of you. Your thesis CANNOT simply re-word the question. It must be a unique statement that shows the reader you understand the question.

13. Create TWO or THREE groups of documents
How many of these documents can be grouped together? What do they share in common (positive or negative; causes or effects; fact or opinion)? Are they primary or secondary sources, or a mixture of both? Are they from the same time period, or do they span several decades and centuries?

14. Go back to your brainstorm list
of “outside information” and attach what you can to your common themes.

15. Begin to write your essay.
IINTRODUCTION:
3-5 sentences
State your thesis (point/task of the essay)
State at least three supportive points
NO FLUFF!!

16. BODY PARAGRAPHS 3 paragraphs, 5-8 sentences
The three supportive points from your intro will become your three body paragraphs
1st sentence of each paragraph is topic sentence for that paragraph
Last sentence summarizes the paragraph and relates to topic sentence/thesis of paper
MUST CITE INFORMATION FROM DOCUMENT AT END OF SENTENCE. (doc. #)
MUST INCLUDE OUTSIDE INFORMATION (information not included within the documents)

17. Conclusion 5-8 sentences
Ties everything together (relate to your thesis)
Restate strongest evidence for supportive points
DO NOT SIMPLY RECOPY YOUR INTRODUCTION

18. Essential Question Homework
What is the answer to the first scaffolding question?
Homework