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How to Write the

How to Write the. B. Q. D. AP United States History University City High School. The Document Based Question The AP College Board. The DBQ can cover any period of American History up to 1980, and generally asks you to focus on a twenty-five-year period.

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How to Write the

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  1. How to Write the B Q D AP United States History University City High School

  2. The Document Based QuestionThe AP College Board • The DBQ can cover any period of American History up to 1980, and generally asks you to focus on a twenty-five-year period. • You must use both the documents provided as well as your background knowledge of both the time period and topic in your answer. • An essay that simply lists the documents and what they mean will not suffice. Readers refer to that as the "laundry list” • Your job is to use a substantial number of documents, usually more than half, supported by your own knowledge and analysis to answer the question.

  3. The Document Based QuestionAP College Board • Determine what the question asks you to do; read it several times and dissect its various components. • Focus on the verbs; important words are: how, why, account for, list, compare, contrast, define, discuss, illustrate, explain, defend, describe, differentiate, outline, summarize, assess, evaluate, analyze, how successful, and to what extent. • Note if the question asks you to explore various aspects of a bigger topic. These categories are sometime social, political, military, diplomatic, ideological, economic, and cultural, among others. • Write down everything you can think of that relates to the question before you read through the documents, and to continue that as you go through them. You must use outside information if you wish to score well.

  4. The Document Based QuestionAP College Board • Select what documents to use, and then arrange them to support your argument in providing an answer to the question. • DO NOT QUOTE from any document extensively. Choose a short phrase or idea from the document and use that to refer to the entire document. • Use the information given about the source to help you in identifying both it and its significance. The date, author, and any other information may be crucial in helping you evaluate its significance, perspective, and the context in which it falls.

  5. The Document Based QuestionAP College Board • Once you have gone through the documents you should decide on a thesis, or theme to follow as you write your essay. • Consider trying to fit the question into one of the five categories offered earlier. • State it clearly in the first paragraph, and keep referring to it throughout the essay. • Link the idea of the documents you use to your thesis, and interweave your own background knowledge into your analysis. A well-developed thesis is essential to a high score in this section.

  6. The Document Based QuestionAP College Board • You have one hour to devote to the DBQ • A mandatory 15-minute reading and planning period and 45 minutes for writing. • Counts for 22.5 percent of your score for the AP Exam. • Consists of approximately eight to ten documents (speeches, letters, visual sources such as political cartoons and photographs, as well as charts and graphs) • Scored based primarily on thesis; appropriate use of a substantial number of documents; writing and organization; and use of relevant outside information. • Done holistically (no "core" elements that you must include to receive a certain score. You must simply have a "preponderance" of the elements listed under each category in order to receive that score).

  7. A “Dazzling” D.B.Q.Is Like a Tasty Hamburger

  8. The Introductory Paragraph The “Top Bun” of your essay! 4-6 sentences

  9. The Introductory Paragraph • Establish TIME & PLACE. • Create a clear, THESIS STATEMENT.[underline or highlight it!] • Allude to the SUB-TOPICS or categories you will discuss to support your thesis statement. • Focus on the question at hand—do NOT begin with a “flowery” sentence! • No “laundry list!”

  10. The “”Meat”” Paragraphs The “tasty” part of your essay! 8-12 sentences+ per paragraph

  11. The ”Meat” Paragraphs • Identify your sub-topic or category in the first sentence. • Include the documents that are relevant to support the ideas in the paragraph. • Use most of the documents given. • Bring in supportive outside information. This is critical!! * o.i.’s = “outside information” • Why were these documents selected?

  12. Questions to Ask Yourself About the Documents • Attribution  Who is this person? • Why might they be significant? • What is the point of view (POV) of the author? • How reliable and accurate is the source? • What is the tone or intent of the document author? • What other information does this document call to mind? Use all available clues. Remember, docs. can be used in a variety of ways!

  13. How to Reference a Document in Your Essay • Thomas Paine, in his pamphlet, Common Sense, said: “………………….” • Joe Wilson, a mid-Western delegate to the Republican convention in 1912, agreed with….. • The 19c historian, Frederick Jackson Turner, felt that …………………. (Doc. E) NEVER begin with: In Document 3, …..

  14. The Concluding Paragraph The “Bottom Bun” of your essay! It holds it all together! 3-4 sentences

  15. The “Concluding” Paragraph • Start with a “concluding phrase.” • Restate your thesis statement a bit differently. • Put your essay answer in a larger historical perspective. End of some trend/movement/idea, etc. Beginning of some trend/movement/idea End of one & beginning of another. Do NOT end on the note that this is the reason we are where we are today!

  16. Put It All Together, And . . . .

  17. Ummmmm, Burger! I Mean, A Perfect Essay!

  18. For Homework Tonight: Create a rough draft in outline form using this format: Write out your introductory paragraph. Create a loose outline of your “meat” ¶s in this manner: Skip a line from your intro. ¶ Identify the “theme”/thesis of this first “meat” ¶ [underline or highlight it] Indent bullets listing all facts/doc. info. and other “o.i.”s that you will need in that ¶ When done with that ¶, skip a line and do the same for the other “meat” ¶s

  19. Homework Tonight Cont. Skip a line after your last “meat” ¶ and write you concluding ¶ out in full. Bring your outline into class tomorrow and I will divide the class up into small “peer review” groups. You will then read over the outlines of the other group members and make suggestions/corrections IN A CONSTRUCTIVE MANNER.

  20. Now, After the Peer Review Session, Go Home & Write Your Essay And Dazzle Me With Your Brilliance! YOU CAN DO IT!!

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