How to Respond to a DBQ

1. How to Respond to a DBQ Mr. Collins

2. Read the Prompt • Circle instruction words(usually verbs) • Underline Key terms that you will need to understand in order to address all aspects of the prompt.

3. Read all the Context statements • Make sure you understand the historical context. • This is usually provided before the actual documents, but can sometimes be found at the end of each document • Sometimes both

4. Read the documents • Read all the documents • Write a summary statement that captures the core meaning of the text • Write it in one sentence • Group the documents (remember the shoes)

5. Write a concise SOAPSTONE @ doc. [phrases that “tag”]

6. Drafting • Intro paragraph • Three + body paragraphs • conclusion

7. Intro Paragraph • Engaging opening sentence with some explanation • Set the stage: • Write 3-5 sentences that introduces your audience to the historical context • First, this is done with “broad strokes” • Then as you approach the end you become more specific[funnel design] • Finally leading to your thesis, which should be one to tow sentences at the end of your introductory paragraph.

8. Intro cont. thesis • Thesis: • Time and Place • It has a topic and a certain “argument” about that topic • That argument about the topic is your “Claim” - what your paper should prove • Claim cannot be wishy-washy, you cannot simply restate the prompt, or simply provide categories. No lame claims! • Break the claim into meaningful categories that preview (introduces) your body paragraphs [your grouping strategy].

9. Intro thesis examples • Try creating a thesis with a subordinate clause • E.g. • While Confucianism and Legalism are clearly responses to the warring states period, one can argue that Daoism was as much a response to Confucianism as the Warring States Period • You want to characterize things in terms of the the relative degree of influence. • You might also qualify your thesis by specifying that the response of the schools had a different impact in terms of the kinds of order and relief categorized into social, political, econ etc.

10. Body Pargraph • Topic sentence is a mini thesis, where you introduce readers to what you will discuss in this paragraph • Explain, don’t simply summarize or merely restate the document • But explain by • Tagging core meaning • Discussing the document in relation to • the prompt (key terms: philosophical schools, view of human nature, systems of order, etc., • Historical context Warring states and times of schools • your thesis & topic sentence.

11. Body Paragraph (main parts) cont. • Topic Sentence • Discuss Document #1 by: • Intro Doc #1(1-2 sentences) • Explain central meaning of Doc. #1 (1-3 sentences) • Explain/Discuss document in relation to prompt,thesis, Topic sentence (address the prompt and all its aspects) [1-3] sentences] • POV Point of view statement how different features of “SOAPSTONE” Influence what is said and reliability of document (1-2 sentences) • Repeat step two for next two documents • Close with answering: What other documents will give an alternative perspective and why.

12. Body Pargraph cont 3. POV Statement: What it does- Clearly and specifically evaluates the level of trust one can justifiably grant the information in the document. Discusses what is really going on; Uses multiple features of SOAPSTONE to ground the claim establishing POV Compares and contrasts author’s point of view with views of others.

13. Body par Cont. POV • POV How: • You want to show how: • Speaker’s background • The Occasion • Purpose • Audience • Influences the content of the document (strong claim) • Or is reflected in the document (weaker claim, but can be acceptable depending how it is handled)

14. POV in brief • Get points by: • Explaining the relationship of the author’s POV to author’s religion, occupation, time period, gender etc. OR • Assessing the reliability of the source OR • Explaining that different kinds of documents serve different purposes OR • Analyze tone or intent of documents

15. Body par. Cont. • Repeat the previous #s 2 & 3 for each document • 2- explanation 1-3 sentences • 3 POV statement 1-3 sentneces 4. Conclude with answering the following question: What other documents will help you understand what you’re trying to address in this paragraph. (What will provide a new perspective that will help to balance the picture)

16. Conclusion Significance • Importance: influence on people who lived through event or times • Profundity: how deeply affected by the event(s) • Quantity: How many people affected • Durability: How long - ripple effect • Relevance how it helps historians understand the events in question • You do not points for the last one relevance unless you meaningfully address #1. Meaningfully means being specific , not just labeling.