1. Writing A DBQ: AP World History
DBQ Practice
Michael Aiken, First Coast High School [2012]

2. DBQ ANALYSIS & ORGANIZATION
PATTERNS OF TRADE
1000 C.E. – 1450 C.E.

3. BASIC PROCEDURE FOR WRITING DBQ’S:
DISSECT THE QUESTION OR PROMPT
What does the prompt require?
Use all of the information available.
Use a table or chart to organize
Universal categories
Specific categories
Group and link documents
Develop a topic sentence
Body paragraphs
Fill-in sentences
Develop a thesis and conclusion
Links to prior knowledge

4. DBQ STEP 1:
ANALYZING THE PROMPT

5. Q U E S T I O N Using the documents, analyze the
patterns of trade in the period
1000 C.E. – 1450 C.E. In addition, identify possible cultural consequences of trade in this time period.
What is the prompt (question) asking for?
Are there recognizable patterns?
What were the consequences of the contacts?

6. Historical Background
Trade within and among societies has existed since the time of the first civilizations. On the eve Columbus’s discovery of the new world, trade networks in both the eastern and western hemispheres were well-established and thriving.
The next step will be to create categories based on document analysis.
Use every document available.

7. ORGANIZING THE INFORMATION
DBQ STEP 2:
ORGANIZING THE INFORMATION

8. Analysis & Organization
Develop a table or chart
Certain pieces of information will be the same for every DBQ document:
Document number
Major point of the document
Point of view
Information needed

9. In addition to the “universal” categories add the prompt categories
YOUR TABLE / CHART
DOC
PAT
CON A C O
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
“Trade Patterns” = PAT
“Consequences” = CON
In addition to the “universal” categories add the prompt categories
Document on Africa = A
Document on China = C
Document on other regions (Latin America, Europe) = O
Another method of “groupings” would be the regions.

10. DBQ STEP 3:
The Documents

11. Let’s take a look at the documents one at a time.
YOUR TABLE / CHART
DOC
PAT
CON A C O
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
Let’s take a look at the documents one at a time.
Number, Region, and major concept / point.
Pattern or consequence?
Complete each document, separated by a line.

12. DOC
PAT
CON A C O
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT

13. Patterns of Trade:
DOC
PAT
CON A C O
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 X
Outsider, in terms of own culture
Religious outsider interested in converting
Religious bias
Outsider in terms of own culture
Outsider urging adaptation
Outsider, impressed by foreign culture
Muslims’ effect on African cultures (Veiling and intermarriages)
European interest in gold, silver and slavery
African and Muslim contacts and likely influence
Morality more important than trade
Muslim influence on Africa culture
Islamic region as a “connector” between regions, likely to have greater impact
Adjustments to foreign cultures necessary in order to survive

14. Extensive contact through trade routes but no docs on influences
Patterns of Trade:
DOC
PAT
CON A C O
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT 10 11 12 X
Extensive contact through trade routes but no docs on influences
Outsider impressed by foreign culture
European perception of Africa
Shows concentration of activity in northern Europe
Establishing trade center by relocating specialists from other cultures
Relative size of Mansa Musa; importance of Africa

15. Other Possible Grouping:
POSSIBLE GROUPINGS:
PATTERNS
Docs 2, 4, 7, 9, 10, 12
CONSEQUENCES
Docs 1, 5, 6, 8
Nature and methods of contact; foreign perception of new market
Changes and influences that developed as a result of commercial contacts
FORCED CHANGE
Docs 3, 5, 11
Other Possible Grouping:
by Region
Attempts to manipulate existing systems through religion or relocation
Africa, Asia, Europe

16. Content for topic sentence
European and Muslim contact and impressions of Africa
POSSIBLE GROUPINGS
Docs:
1, 6, 12
Contacts and impressions of China
What fits together?
Why?
Docs:
3, 5, 8, 9
Patterns of trade and contacts between regions, attempt to change
Docs:
4. 7, 10, 11
Content for topic sentence
3 Paragraphs

17. DBQ STEP 4:
Needs, Thesis, & Review

18. Is there additional information that would be valuable?
WHAT’S MISSING?
Is there additional information that would be valuable?
The documents only presented Islamic and European perceptions. African or Asian impressions concerning trade contacts would have been helpful

19. Then you have the thesis…
THESIS AND CONCLUSION
IS THERE...
Then you have the thesis…
A Pattern?
A Rationale or concept?
A Question or
dilemma?
EXAMPLE:
The documents gave the impression that Muslim commercial contacts were culturally more effective and influential than those of the Europeans. Europeans emphasized religious conversion, descriptions of goods of interest to European needs, or simply adjusting to new environments.
Needed documents discussed on the previous slide can provide the basis for an effective conclusion.

20. BASIC PROCEDURE FOR WRITING DBQ’S:
REVIEW
BASIC PROCEDURE FOR WRITING DBQ’S:
DISSECT THE QUESTION OR PROMPT
What does the prompt require?
Use all of the information available.
Use a table or chart to organize
Universal categories
Specific categories
Group and link documents
Develop a topic sentence
Body paragraphs
Fill-in sentences
Develop a thesis and conclusion
Links to prior knowledge