Document-Based Essay Question (DBQ)

Introduction:  The primary purpose of the document-based essay question is not to test students’ prior knowledge of subject matter but rather to evaluate their ability to formulate and support an answer from documentary evidence.  Documents are chosen on the basis of both the information they convey about the topic and the perspective that they offer.  This essay is designed to test skills analogous to those of the historian analyzing source materials, thus it is an exercise in both analysis and synthesis. 

 

What good responses should include:

  • Need to have a clear thesis that addresses the question being asked
  • The use and the understanding of all documents
  • Support for the thesis statement, using the documents as evidence
  • The analyzing of the point of view in all documents
  • The grouping of documents depending upon the question
  • The need and justification for one type of appropriate additional document or source

 

Example Question:  Based on the following documents, analyze factors that shaped the modern Olympic movement from 1892 to 2002. 

 

Formula for writing the essay:

 

  1. Introduction Paragraph
  2. 1st Sentence
  • Basic introduction sentence
  • This is not your thesis sentence!
  • Example:Throughout history the playing field of politics has not only occurred on the battlefield. 
  1. 2nd Sentence
  • This is your first THESIS STATEMENT.
  • Question you are answering:What were the factors that shaped the modern Olympic movement from 1892 to 2002?
  • Example:In 1892 the factors that shaped the modern Olympics were _____.
  1. 3rd Sentence
  • This is your second THESIS STATEMENT.
  • Question you are answering:What were the factors that shaped the modern Olympic movement from 1892 to 2002?
  • Example:These factors changed by 2002 as _____________ became more important.
  1. 4th Sentence—Additional Document
  • “It would be helpful to have a document from…because…”
  • DO NOT RECOMMEND A DOCUMENT THAT IS ALREADY THERE.ONLY MENTION A DOCUMENT FROM A WOMEN IF IT HELPS

Note—I would recommend putting this in one of the body paragraphs—link it to a specific group.

  1. Remember:
  • Unacceptable thesis statement:There were many factors that shaped the modern Olympics.
  • Why?They do not say specifically what the factors were, nor does it mention dates.

 

  1. 1st Body Paragraph—Group #1

III.             2nd Body Paragraph—Group #2

  1. 3rd Body Paragraph—Group #3

 

·         Reminders for the body paragraphs: 

  • All documents must be used:  According to ____, “Ms. Battaglio is the best” (doc. 1). 
  • Point of view must be used consistently:  “The point of view of the priest is suspect because he naturally would feel that people were inherently sinning in the form of materialism in a marketplace.”
  • Is there a change over time?  What caused the change?
  • DO NOT SUMMARIZE THE DOCUMENTS

 

 

  1. Conclusion Paragraph
  2. Restate the thesis
  3. Conclude –what did you show

 

AP Rubric:

Basic Core

Competence

Points

Expanded Core

Excellence

Points

1.       Has acceptable thesis

 

2.       Addresses all of the documents and demonstrates understanding of all or all but one

 

3.       Supports thesis with appropriate evidence from all or all but one document.

 

(Supports thesis with appropriate evidence from all but two documents)

 

4.       Analyzes point of view in at least two documents.

 

5.       Analyzes documents by grouping them in two or three ways, depending on the question.

 

6.       Identifies and explains the need for one type of appropriate additional document or source.

1

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

(1)

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

Expands beyond basic core of 1-7 points.  The basic core score of 7 must be achieved before a student can earn expanded core points

 

Examples:

 

·         Has a clear, analytical, and comprehensive thesis.

 

·         Shows careful and insightful analysis of the documents.

 

·         Uses documents persuasively as evidence

 

·         Analyzes the point of view in most or all documents

 

·         Analyzes the documents in additional ways—groupings, comparisons, syntheses

 

·         Brings in relevant “outside” historical content

 

·         Explains why additional types of documents or sources are needed.

0-2

Subtotal

7

Subtotal

2

TOTAL  9

 

How will I lose points?

  1. If you do not mention all documents.
  2. If you do not use the words “point of view” and do it at least twice.
  3. If you do not cite properly: According to… “Ms. Battaglio is the best” (Doc. 1).  Quotation is how you illustrate evidence (see point 3 on rubric)
  4. Do not write, “This document is about…”  That is not understanding the document, it is summarizing it.
  5. If you do not say why you need an additional document