How to Write a DBQ!

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How to Write a DBQ!

• Document Based Questions

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What is a DBQ?

• An essay that answers a specific question.
• An essay that cites specific documents to support
  the writers point.

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How to write a great DBQ
1. Analyze the Documents
2. Group the Documents
5. Write an awesome DBQ!
3. Write an amazing thesis
4. Organize the Essay
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1. Analyzing the Documents

• Source Where from?
• Is that significant?
• What point of view or possible bias?
• Important facts?
• Inferences?
• Main idea?
• How does this document answer the question?
  Which bucket does it fit into?

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2. Grouping/Bucketing Documents

• Group your documents into 3 buckets
• consider grouping by similar qualities, contents,
  or purposes.
• Each group is the basis of a paragraph.
• Use a majority of the documents to get full
  credit for the essay. (1/2 plus 1)

Docs 2, 13
Docs 1, 3, 7
Docs 4, 10, 11
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Write an AWESOME Thesis

• Great essays have a clear thesis statement
• Answers the question
• Takes a position
• Preview main points
• road map of the essay (your buckets!)
• Think of it like a chicken-foot

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Using the Chicken Foot

• Thesis is the leg
• Each group (main point) will branch out with
  supporting ideas. (toes)

Reason 1
Reason 2
Carnegie was a hero (or was not, or a mixture)
because
Reason 3
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4. Organize the DBQ

• Introductory Paragraph
• Thesis Statement!
• Body Paragraph
• Docs __, __, and __
• Body Paragraph
• Docs __, __, and __
• Body Paragraph
• Docs __, __, and __
• Conclusion

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5. Write your Essay!

• Outline provides structure
• Keep the body paragraphs in the order of your
  thesis statement
• Create an intro and conclusion!

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The Introductory Paragraph

• Establish TIME PLACE.
• Use a clear THESIS STATEMENT.
• Allude to the MAIN POINTS or categories that
  develop and support thesis statement
• (your buckets of documents)
• Focus on the question at handdo NOT begin with a
  flowery sentence!

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Body Paragraphs

• Identify 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 60.
• Be sure to indicate Point-of-view/ bias.
• Bring in supportive outside information
• Why were these documents selected?

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Conclusion

• Start with a concluding phrase.
• Restate your thesis statement a bit differently.
• Put your essay answer in a larger historical
  perspective.

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Youre Ready!

• Now go conquer your DBQ!