1. Document-Based Question (DBQ) Writing

2. Format & Expectations DBQ= 25% of overall AP Score!
AP Test: 60 minutes (including 15 min. reading period)
Format: Analysis of 7 documents and answer the question.
DBQ emphasizes understanding the background and context of the documents (just like the stimuli-based questions do!)
Must incorporate Outside Knowledge

3. Steps 1. Contextualize and develop a clear thesis
2. Argumentation supported with relevant historical evidence (DBQ Analysis & Outside Knowledge)
3. Complex Understanding Analysis

4. DBQ Structure
Thesis Paragraph
An introduction to the main arguments of the essay to be developed in the body (should align w/ the topic sentences for each body paragraph)
Historical Background (Establish the Historical Scene) to establish historical CONTEXT
THESIS Statement
Essential to the DBQ
Take a position
AP Graders aren’t necessarily looking for the right answer, but rather for the writer’s ability to analyze and use documents to support the thesis!
Ex for a Bad/ Good Thesis Statement:
Question: Evaluate the relative importance of domestic foreign affairs in shaping American politics in the 1790s
During the 1790s, foreign affairs contributed more to shaping American politics than did domestic issues.
Is this a well-developed thesis statement?
NOPE (No argument… Too general)
Although the young nation struggled w/ questions about powers in the new Constitution, our ideological conflicts over the French, foreign policy divisions created by the Napoleonic Wars, and our relations w/ GB did more to divide Americans and promote the formation of two political parties in the 1790s.
Took a position
Argument Focus: Foreign policy & relations with France & GB= argument for division & promoting formation of political party in 1790s
Creation & Interpretation of Constitution will be downplayed throughout the Essay (probably at the end)
Offered an interpretation of events
Provided the organizing arguments to set up for the rest of the Essay…

5. DBQ Structure Thesis Paragraph
An introduction to the main arguments of the essay to be developed in the body (should align w/ the topic sentences for each body paragraph)
Historical Background (Establish the Historical Scene) to establish HISTORICAL CONTEXT
THESIS Statement
Essential to the DBQ
Take a position
AP Graders aren’t necessarily looking for the right answer, but rather for the writer’s ability to analyze and use)
Body
Usually 3 paragraphs (Think rule of 3!)
Emphasis on Document Analysis (evidence)
Document Analysis should provide the relevance for the Topic Sentence of the paragraph since the Topic Sentence should provide relevance to your Thesis
Include OUTSIDE INFORMATION related to the documents.
(Ex: If document focuses on the 1850 Compromise, then for outside info you can discuss Mexican-American War & Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Wilmot Proviso, even the Missouri Compromise)
Will address historical thinking skills such as…
Causation (ex: cause & effect)
Comparison (ex: similarities & differences)
Continuity & Change over Time
Periodization (Historical development specified in a prompt was higher or lesser value than a different event)
Conclusion
Recap (NOT A RESTATE) of the thesis: How did you prove your argument (thesis?)
Historical Relevancy?
Remember to connect to future history! THIS IS WHERE COMPLEX UNDERSTANDING SHOULD BE APPLIED!
Note: Long Essays are similar to the structure of the DBQ. Only difference is that outside knowledge is emphasized throughout & no documents are used when writing a long essay!

6. The Documents
Your analysis of the Documents are used to help prove your thesis; therefore the documents becoming the evidence
Two Purposes
An additional source of relevant evidence (in addition to your outside knowledge)
A way of demonstrating the effective analysis of sources with often differing and conflicting points of view
Arrangement of the Documents will most likely be in chronological order… however, you should use the documents in any preferred order when writing the DBQ
When citing the documents: Brief references are enough… quoting should be minimal
Some documents will be used more (or focused upon more) than others… That’s okay!
USE A MINIMUM OF SIX DOCUMENTS!

7. Document Analysis
In addition to making historical inferences via focusing on historical content/ context when analyzing the document & explaining the overall significance of the document/ information to prove your thesis…
you must also acknowledge a minimum of one of the following for each document…
Intended audience of document
Author’s point of view
Purpose of the document
THEN EXPLAIN HOW THE DOCUMENT IS SIGNIFICANT TO YOUR THESIS’ ARGUMENT (Why?...)!
Think HIPPO (Historical Context, Intended Audience, Point of View, Purpose, Organization/ Use in Argument)

8. Outside knowledge How to use it? Thesis Paragraph Body Conclusion
Providing the historical background (Historical Scene)
Body
Used in adjacent w/ the document analysis (to provide historical context )
Include OUTSIDE INFORMATION related to the documents.
(Ex: If document focuses on the 1850 Compromise, then for outside info you can discuss Mexican- American War & Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Wilmot Proviso, even the Missouri Compromise)
Conclusion
Used to connect future historical trends

11. Advice Third person point of view Avoid laundry lists
Always briefly identify key concepts: legislation, people, events
Anticipate counter arguments
Remain objective
Transition sentences from one paragraph to the next
Avoid flowery language… Just get to the point!

12. An EXCELLENT DBQ is one that obtains a minimum of 5/7 total points because the national average has been less than 3 over the past few years!
Average National Score for 2018:
2.4/7