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Document Based Questions. How to successfully write a great essay for a DBQ. What is a DBQ?. A DBQ consists of two parts. Part I: 4-8 documents you need to analyze. Part II: An essay based on the documents you are analyzing. Read all information.
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Document Based Questions How to successfully write a great essay for a DBQ
What is a DBQ? • A DBQ consists of two parts. • Part I: 4-8 documents you need to analyze. • Part II: An essay based on the documents you are analyzing.
Read all information • Before you begin, read the first page, which usually provides you with the historical context and a task. • It is good to know what the topic of your essay is, so that you keep it in mind when reading through the documents
Part I: Analyzing the documents • This is your reading comprehension part. • Each DBQ contains 4-8 documents with 1-3 questions that need to be answered per document. • Documents are in the form of primary sources. For example pictures, political cartoons, newspaper excerpts, etc. • Make sure you answer all questions.
Part II: The Essay • The essay is the basis for the DBQ. • Here you are using the documents you have analyzed to answer a question(s). • Make sure you answer all parts of the task.
Writing the Essay • When writing your essay, you must have: *An introduction *A body *A conclusion • You also MUST make sure you refer to the appropriate number of documents by name or number. For example, as seen in document 2. • You MUST also refer to the correct number of documents. If they ask you to use at least 4 in your essay make sure to do so.
The Introduction • You must have an introductory paragraph. • A good start is to use the historical context you are already given. • Then state what you will explain in your essay. For example, “now I will explain how each river valley civilization contributed to modern day society.”
The Body • You should have at least 1 body paragraph for each part of the task. For example, if you are asked 2 different things, you should have 2 paragraphs. • You may use outside info if it applies. • Again you are answering what is asked of you in the task. You are doing so by referring to each document you use by name or number. • You DO NOT need to use every document, just the amount you are asked to use. • You are also NOT just listing documents and what each says. YOU NEED TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS IN THE TASK. • Use simple language. DO NOT over-complicate it. • Avoid opinion, just state the facts. • Also- it is quality not quantity.
The Conclusion • This is your wrap up paragraph. • Restate what you have accomplished. • For example, “As you can see each of the river valley civilizations had a major impact on society by…..” • Again, don’t over-complicate. Its just a restating of what your essay is.
Check it over • When you are done, go back and make sure: • You have an intro, body, conclusion • You have referred to the appropriate number of documents. • You have successfully answered the question(s) being asked of you in the task.