The Document-Based Question

1. The Document-Based Question DBQ

2. What Is It? • An essay question that requires you to interpret primary source documents. • Documents might include the following: • Newspaper articles/editorials • Letters/diaries • Speeches • Legislation • Political cartoons • Charts and graphs

3. What Are the Documents for? • To discuss events and ideas with which you are familiar. • To support or refute the essay questions • Focus around the essay topic

4. When Do I Take the DBQ? • After the multiple-choice section • You get a green booklet with the essay questions and DBQ • Begins with a 15 minute mandatory reading period • Evaluate and interpret the documents

5. Is There a Right Answer to Each DBQ? • No • Multiple arguments • Develop your argument (thesis) with evidence (include outside information) • Use a strong historical argument

6. I Have the Question, Now What Do I Do? Getting Started • Read the question thoroughly • Explore all parts of the question (how many parts) • Highlight important aspects • Ask these two questions • Do I have an opinion about this subject? • What must I discuss in order to write a successful essay? (most important)

7. Getting Stated Cont. • Gather information • Address issues • Decide on data • Organize plan of attack

8. Sample Question • To what extent and how valid were the fears many Americans develop from the end of World War II through the Eisenhower administration that communism threatened the existence and safety of the United States. Use the documents and your knowledge of the 1940s through the 1950s, to answer the question. Circle or underline the key parts to the question.

9. Sample Question Breakdown • To what extent and how validwere the fears many Americans develop from the end of World War II through the Eisenhower administration that communism threatened the existence and safety of the United States.

10. Sample Question Breakdown • To what extent and how valid were the fearsmany Americans develop from the end of World War II through the Eisenhower administration that communism threatened the existence and safety of the United States.

11. Sample Question Breakdown • To what extent and how valid were the fears many Americans develop from the end of World War II through the Eisenhower administration that communism threatenedthe existence and safety of the United States.

12. Sample Question Breakdown To what extent and how valid were the fears many Americans develop from the end of World War II through the Eisenhower administration that communism threatened the existence and safety of the United States.

13. Sample Question Breakdown • To what extent and how valid were the fears many Americans develop from the end of World War II through the Eisenhower administration that communism threatened the existence and safety of the United States. Use the documents and your knowledge of the 1940s through the 1950s to answer the question.

14. Sample Question Breakdown • To what extent and how validwere the fearsmany Americans develop from the end of World War II through the Eisenhower administration that that communism threatenedthe existence and safety of the United States. Use the documents and your knowledge of the 1940s through the 1950s to answer the question.

15. Sample Question Breakdown • Thoroughly examined and analyzed the questioned • Create a information grid • Pertinent information

16. Information Grid

17. Gather Outside Information • Jot down terms, ideas, and/or concepts • 2 or 3 minutes • Decide what you can and cannot use • Insert into your grid

18. Information Grid

19. Question Breakdown To what extent – amount, degree, level… how valid – what is the depth of truth

20. Question Breakdown The fears: why were Americans afraid of Communism. How valid were those fears?

21. Question Breakdown that communism threatened Where did these threats come from? 1) Other countries 2) Within the United States

22. Question Breakdown existence and safety Both parts must be answered as equally as possible Was the U.S. existence threatened? Was the U.S. safety threatened?

23. Question Breakdown your knowledge of the 1940s through the 1950s OUTSIDE INFORMATION

24. Outside Information • Information same as the documents • That means you are on target • Brainstorm outside of the grid

25. Reading the Documents Document Order • Chronological - if so the test is asking you trace the historical development. • Otherwise – organized for compare and contrast (draw comparisons in your essay).

26. Reading the Documents Inconsistencies • Not all documents agree • Present different view points • Recognize inconsistencies • SOAPS help you identify the source and differing opinions of the same event or data

27. Reading the Documents Once you decided on your thesis: (documents) • Supporting evidence • Contradicting evidence - incorporate and acknowledge these • Why was that document included? • Add more outside info (???)

28. Thesis Development • Read question one more time • Develop a argument you can prove • Make sure your thesis addresses all pertinent aspects of the question

29. Write Your Essay • Get to the point • Back thesis up with facts, solid evidence not fluff • 3 or 4 different issues or topic sentences • Make sure you are addressing the question • Refer back to the question several times • Include as many documents as possible

30. Final Conclusion • Stay confident • Don’t panic • Take a deep breath to relax • You prepared all year for the test • Everyone else is in the same boat as you

31. Other questions: • How did TWO of the following contribute to the reemergence of a two party system in the period 1820-1840? • Major political personalities • States’ Rights • Economic Issues • How were the lives of the Plains Indians in the second half of the 19th century affected by technological developments and government actions?

32. Other questions: • In what ways did economic conditions and developments in the arts and entertainment help create the reputation of the 1920s as the Roaring Twenties? • Assess the success of the United States policy of containment in Asia between 1945 and 1975.

33. Other questions: DBQ 1997 • To what extent did economic and political developments as well as assumptions about the nature of women affect the position of American women during the period of 1890-1925?