1. Mr. Wyka AP World History
DBQ Step by Step
Mr. Wyka
AP World History

2. DBQ Rubric

3. Step One Read the question.
Read it again. Make sure you understand it.

4. Step Two Read the documents.
Keep the question in mind as you read the documents.
Consider what categories or groups you can put them in.
Your groups HAVE to address the question (ie. if your question asks you to analyze religious practices, having a group on government won’t help you).

5. Step Three Categorize the documents in 2-3 groups.
Make sure your groups address the question.
Again, if your question asks you to analyze politics and government, but you decide to group your documents into religion and language, you are off the mark.

6. Step Four – Intro Paragraph
Write your thesis.
Your thesis MUST specifically answer the question.
In other words, don’t just say the sky is blue, tell me WHY it’s blue.
It’s a good idea to explain your groupings in your thesis or introductory paragraph.

7. Step Five – Intro Paragraph
After your thesis, explain what additional document would help you answer the question and why.
For example, “An additional document that would help answer the question would be a ______________, because ______________________.”
Don’t forget the “because”.

8. Pause
If you followed my steps so far, you’ve already earned THREE essay points.

9. Step Six – Body Paragraph
Describe the grouping.
Describe (ie. “a reading from the Edicts of Asoka from 268 B.C.) each document and briefly describe what it says in your own words.
Analyze the point of view of at least one in the group.
Why is it a reliable source or not? Why it is biased or not? Remember SOAPS.

10. Body Paragraph Tips
Keep the original question in mind. The stuff you write should help answer the question AND support your thesis.
If you have knowledge of the subject, put it in the appropriate paragraph. Supporting knowledge is very important and can get you Expanded Core points.

11. Repeat Step Six for each of your groupings

12. Step Seven - Conclusion
If you read your essay and realize you failed to address something in the rubric, put it in your conclusion, no matter how sloppy it looks.
For example, if you realize you failed to mention one document, put your analysis of this document in the conclusion (YOU MUST USE ALL THE DOCUMENTS)!

13. Let’s take a look at your DBQ
“Using the documents, analyze African actions and reactions in response to the European Scramble for Africa. Identify an additional type of document and explain how it would help in assessing African actions and reactions.”
Your thesis must address at least two specific African responses to imperialism in a plausible fashion using evidence from the documents.

14. Introduction from 1B
“Throughout history, colonization has been a main concern of many nations. In the 1880s, there was a great desire by European powers to colonize and control Africa in order to gain resources. This became known as the Scramble for Africa. The hypocritical actions of the European powers led to an extreme contempt for the Europeans among the African people, which triggered violent rebellions that eventually helped lead Africa to liberty later on.”
The thesis identifies only one African response, violent rebellions, so the essay did not receive the thesis point.

15. Introduction from 1A
“Although the European powers felt as though they were doing great good in the African continent during the Scramble for Africa, the actions of the Africans was that of rebellion and reactions showing much determination to rid Africa of the unjust Europeans.”
The thesis is in the introduction and provides two groupings: “giving in peacefully,” which eventually led “to fighting back”. This student received the thesis point.

16. And the best advice of all…
Don’t give up.
Keep writing until the proctor tells you to stop.