DBQ Step by StepDBQ Step by Step

Mr. WykaMr. Wyka

AP World HistoryAP World History

DBQ RubricDBQ Rubric

Step OneStep One

Read the question.Read the question.

Read it again. Make sure you understand Read it again. Make sure you understand it.it.

Step TwoStep Two

Read the documents.Read the documents. Keep the question in mind as you read the Keep the question in mind as you read the

documents.documents. Consider what categories or groups you can Consider what categories or groups you can

put them in. put them in. Your groups HAVE to address the question Your groups HAVE to address the question

(ie. if your question asks you to analyze (ie. if your question asks you to analyze religious practices, having a group on religious practices, having a group on government won’t help you).government won’t help you).

Step ThreeStep Three

Categorize the documents in 2-3 groups.Categorize the documents in 2-3 groups. Make sure your groups address the question. Make sure your groups address the question. Again, if your question asks you to analyze Again, if your question asks you to analyze

politics and government, but you decide to politics and government, but you decide to group your documents into religion and group your documents into religion and language, you are off the mark.language, you are off the mark.

Step Four – Intro ParagraphStep Four – Intro Paragraph

Write your thesis.Write your thesis. Your thesis MUST Your thesis MUST specificallyspecifically answer the answer the

question.question.In other words, don’t just say the sky is blue, tell In other words, don’t just say the sky is blue, tell me WHY it’s blue.me WHY it’s blue.

It’s a good idea to explain your groupings in It’s a good idea to explain your groupings in your thesis or introductory paragraph.your thesis or introductory paragraph.

Step Five – Intro ParagraphStep Five – Intro Paragraph

After your thesis, After your thesis, explainexplain what additional what additional document would help you answer the document would help you answer the question and question and whywhy.. For example, “An additional document that For example, “An additional document that

would help answer the question would be a would help answer the question would be a ______________, because ______________, because ______________________.”______________________.”

Don’t forget the “because”.Don’t forget the “because”.

PausePause

If you followed If you followed my steps so far, my steps so far, you’ve already you’ve already earned THREE earned THREE essay points.essay points.

Step Six – Body ParagraphStep Six – Body Paragraph

1.1. Describe the grouping. Describe the grouping.

2.2. Describe (ie. “a reading from the Edicts of Describe (ie. “a reading from the Edicts of Asoka from 268 B.C.) each document Asoka from 268 B.C.) each document and briefly describe what it says in your and briefly describe what it says in your own words.own words.

3.3. Analyze the point of view of at least one Analyze the point of view of at least one in the group. in the group.

a.a. Why is it a reliable source or not? Why it is Why is it a reliable source or not? Why it is biased or not? Remember SOAPS.biased or not? Remember SOAPS.

Body Paragraph TipsBody Paragraph Tips

Keep the original question in mind. The Keep the original question in mind. The stuff you write should help answer the stuff you write should help answer the question AND support your thesis. question AND support your thesis.

If you have knowledge of the subject, put it If you have knowledge of the subject, put it in the appropriate paragraph. Supporting in the appropriate paragraph. Supporting knowledge is very important and can get knowledge is very important and can get you Expanded Core points. you Expanded Core points.

Repeat Step Six for each of Repeat Step Six for each of your groupingsyour groupings

Step Seven - ConclusionStep Seven - Conclusion

If you read your essay and realize you If you read your essay and realize you failed to address something in the rubric, failed to address something in the rubric, put it in your conclusion, no matter how put it in your conclusion, no matter how sloppy it looks. sloppy it looks.

For example, if you realize you failed to For example, if you realize you failed to mention one document, put your analysis mention one document, put your analysis of this document in the conclusion (YOU of this document in the conclusion (YOU MUST USE ALL THE DOCUMENTS)!MUST USE ALL THE DOCUMENTS)!

Let’s take a look at your DBQ Let’s take a look at your DBQ

““Using the documents, analyze African Using the documents, analyze African actionsactions and and reactionsreactions in response to the in response to the European Scramble for Africa. Identify an European Scramble for Africa. Identify an additional type of document and explain how additional type of document and explain how it would help in assessing African it would help in assessing African actionsactions and and reactionsreactions.”.”Your thesis must address at least Your thesis must address at least twotwo specific specific African responses to imperialism in a plausible African responses to imperialism in a plausible fashion using evidence from the documents.fashion using evidence from the documents.

Introduction from 1BIntroduction from 1B

““Throughout history, colonization has been a Throughout history, colonization has been a main concern of many nations. In the 1880s, main concern of many nations. In the 1880s, there was a great desire by European powers there was a great desire by European powers to colonize and control Africa in order to gain to colonize and control Africa in order to gain resources. This became known as the resources. This became known as the Scramble for Africa. The hypocritical actions Scramble for Africa. The hypocritical actions of the European powers led to an extreme of the European powers led to an extreme contempt for the Europeans among the contempt for the Europeans among the African people, which triggered violent African people, which triggered violent rebellions that eventually helped lead Africa rebellions that eventually helped lead Africa to liberty later on.” to liberty later on.”

The thesis identifies only one African response, violent rebellions, so the essay did not receive the thesis point.

Introduction from 1AIntroduction from 1A

““Although the European powers felt as Although the European powers felt as though they were doing great good in though they were doing great good in the African continent during the the African continent during the Scramble for Africa, the actions of the Scramble for Africa, the actions of the Africans was that of rebellion and Africans was that of rebellion and reactions showing much determination reactions showing much determination to rid Africa of the unjust Europeans.”to rid Africa of the unjust Europeans.”

The thesis is in the introduction and provides two groupings: “giving in peacefully,” which eventually led “to fighting back”. This student received the thesis point.

And the best advice of all…And the best advice of all…

Don’t give up.Don’t give up.

Keep writing until the proctor tells you to Keep writing until the proctor tells you to stop.stop.