Understanding the DBQ

Guidelines Do I understand the

guidelines of the task?Based on materials made by the GH Pilot @NVPS - Adapted by US History Pilot

Gui

delin

es!

Guidelines for the task

● Guidelines are the directions for the DBQ essay task

o Expectations for your essay response to the task

● THE GUIDELINES DON’T CHANGE! o EVER! ALWAYS THE SAME! o They can help you shape or organize your essay

response!

Guidelines for the task

In your essay, be sure to: 1. Develop all aspects of the task2. Incorporate information from at least four documents3. Incorporate relevant outside information4. Support the theme with relevant facts, examples, and

details5. Use a logical and clear plan of organization, including

an introduction and a conclusion that are beyond a restatement of the theme

What does that mean?!

How does this help me shape or organize my essay?

Develop all aspects of the task

What are some synonyms for DEVELOP? ● Synonyms:

Develop all aspects of the task

● Aspects is another way of saying parts

● The unique and required parts of the essay task are always denoted by individual bullet points

Develop all aspects of the Task

- This means you SPECIFICALLY and THOROUGHLY address ALL of the included bullet points

There are TWO bullet points here! Make sure you address BOTH of them in your essay!

Develop all aspects of the Task

Using this example - in order to achieve a score of either a 3, 4, or 5 you must:

● Pick TWO wars AND for each war: o Describe the historical circumstances that led

to US involvement o Discuss the impact of the war on the US

and/or another country or region

Incorporate information...

...from at least 4 documents ● What are some synonyms for incorporate?

● Where do you find the documents?

Incorporate information...

● Refer back to the documents ● Which documents apply to the two wars you have

chosen? o In order to achieve a score of a 4 or 5, you must

use them! o Make sure you have the appropriate number of

documents!

Incorporate information...

● Refer to the documents specifically in your essay o “As seen in document 1b…”

OR o “The United States was involved in the

Korean War because (Document 1b)...”

Incorporate relevant outside information

Activate prior knowledge about the specific topic! ● What are some synonyms of “relevant”?

Incorporate relevant outside information

What do I know about the Korean War? ● Considering what I know, what

information is relevant to the task that is NOT already found in the supporting documents?

● Can I use that information to complete or support my answer to the task?

Support the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details

This will be fulfilled by addressing the previous two guidelines

● Incorporating relevant documents● Incorporating relevant outside information

○ Make sure the details / facts / examples are well described and appropriate

Support the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details

For this example: ● Including relevant details or facts beyond

what is found in the documents that explain specifically why the US got involved in the Vietnam War

● Including specific facts, specific relevant details, or specific examples of how the war impacted the US or Vietnam

An example…

“The Vietnam War had many political, social, and economic impacts on the USA. One political impact included a restructuring of government power. For example, the War Powers Act of 1973 (document 1a) was passed by Congress and forced the president to ask Congress for permission before committing to an armed conflict. Prior to the Vietnam War, the president, as the commander in chief, could commit to an armed conflict as he pleased.”

Organization

Use a logical and clear plan of organization, including an introduction and a conclusion that are beyond a restatement of the theme

● Organization should be clear ● Follow the format of the task ● Write an original introduction and conclusion that is a

full paragrapho Paragraph = 5 - 7 sentences

Organization

Use the task to help you! ● Well developed intro ● Body paragraphs come from the

task ● Well developed conclusion

Organization In this case - one option is to write 4 body paragraphs:

● 2 on the Korean War o One for each bullet point:

One paragraph on the historical circumstances leading to US involvement, one for the impact

● 2 on the Vietnam War o One for each bullet point:

One paragraph on the historical circumstances leading to US involvement, one for the impact

Now….

Try rewriting the GUIDELINES in your own words: