GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A DBQ
1. View the DBQ as an essay question. In essence, start to construct a working outline before turning to examine the documents. This has the effect of approaching the question from previous knowledge, getting the outside information down on paper. It will also allow locating a thesis.
2. Structure your working outline along the broad categories of the social, political and economic aspects of the question. Another good outlining tactic is to divide columns into the specific categories mentioned in the question. Next turn to the documents and place them within the working outline. Be sure to read the documents carefully for any clues provided in the publication date, source identification, type of publication and point of view. For example, nineteenth century political cartoons are more complex then contemporary cartoons, so view them carefully.
3. Often there is a chronological or thematic sequence to the documents. If so, locating this pattern makes your organization easier. For example, point and counter-point will often follow one another. In addition, the student needs to remember that the DBQ is 70% outside information and 30% document use.
4. Use as many of the documents as accurately as possible. Also, identifying the documents is an excellent way to bring outside information. For example, “William Lloyd Garrison, radical abolitionist and publisher of the Liberator, suggest…”
5. Underline the thesis and indicate when using documents. (Doc. A) Also, use transition words to get from one point to another. Moreover, do not lose track of the question or the thesis. Use the same sequence in the essay as presented in the thesis sentence. Re-introduce during the course of the writing. Remember, you are not writing a history of the period, you are answering a question about this period in U.S. history.
6. The Document Based Questions that receive the highest score are written from a comprehensive point of view. In short, the questions are designed to encourage the student to discuss in depth. Readers are impressed with either a thorough factual presentation or an insightful coverage of the broad implications of the question or, better yet, both. Impress with sophistication.
7. Use quotes from the documents, but limit the quotes to no longer than one sentence or use a phrase. Use quotes sparingly but effectively. In addition, use the terminology germane to the period, e.g. a question dealing with the Puritans would include the correct use of the terms covenant, City upon a Hill, visible saints, work ethic, theocracy, etc.
8. Do not leave the time span that the question asks the student to consider. If the student leaves the time frame, they must acknowledge this movement, and that they are making a point about change over time or legacy.
9. Pack in facts but do not merely list facts. Be crisp and organized. DO NOT RAMBLE.
10. The basic skills of essay writing are needed in the DBQ. Make sure that the opening paragraph is more than just a restatement of the question. Moreover, this is a good place to include background material. However, keep background material on point and succinct. In addition, the student needs to skillfully support the thesis throughout the essay and include an effective conclusion. Do not introduce new material in the conclusion.
11. If the question asks for analysis, be careful to not merely write a narrative account of events. Weigh those events and draw conclusions. For example, if the question wants the student to analyze the effectiveness of a certain policy, then directly discuss the consequences of that policy.
12. Always write in past tense. Always avoid first person.
