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How to Write a DBQ Essay

Last Updated: July 15, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Emily Listmann, MA . Emily Listmann is a Private Tutor and Life Coach in Santa Cruz, California. In 2018, she founded Mindful & Well, a natural healing and wellness coaching service. She has worked as a Social Studies Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, and an SAT Prep Teacher. She received her MA in Education from the Stanford Graduate School of Education in 2014. Emily also received her Wellness Coach Certificate from Cornell University and completed the Mindfulness Training by Mindful Schools. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 682,670 times.

In the past, Document Based Questions (DBQ) were rarely found outside of AP history exams. However, they’re now used in social studies classes across grade levels, so you’re bound to take a DBQ test at some point. [1] X Research source Going into the test, you will need strong background knowledge of the time periods and geographical areas on which you will be tested. Your documents will always relate back directly to the major subjects and themes of your class. The key to success is to analyze the provided documents and use them to support an argument in response to the essay prompt. While DBQ tests are rigorous, they allow you to actually do historical work instead of merely memorize facts. Don’t stress, put on your historian hat, and start investigating!

Writing Help

Analyzing the Documents

• For an AP exam, you’ll then have 45 minutes to write your essay. Exact times may vary for other exams and assignments but, for all DBQ essays, document analysis is the first step.
• For an AP exam, you will also need to include a thesis, set the prompt’s historical context, use 6 documents to support an argument, describe 1 piece of outside evidence, and discuss the point of view or context of at least 3 of the sources. Label these elements as you review and outline so you don’t forget something.

• A prompt might ask you to analyze or explain the causes of a historical development, such as, “Explain how the Progressive Movement gained social, political, and cultural influence from the 1890s to the 1920s in the United States.”
• You might need to use primary sources to compare and contrast differing attitudes or points of view toward a concept, policy, or event, such as, “Compare and contrast the differing attitudes towards women’s rights in the United States from 1890 to 1920.”
• Keywords in these examples inform you how to read your sources. For instance, to compare and contrast differing attitudes, you’ll need to identify your sources’ authors, categorize their points of view, and figure out how attitudes changed over the specified period of time.

• Suppose one of the documents is a suffragette’s diary entry. Passages in the entry that detail her advocacy for the Women’s Rights Movement are evidence of her point of view. In contrast, another document is newspaper article written around the same time that opposes suffrage.
• A diary entry might not have an intended audience but, for documents such as letters, pamphlets, and newspaper articles, you’ll need to identify the author’s likely readers.
• Most of your sources will probably be written documents, but you’ll likely encounter political cartoons, photographs, maps, or graphs. The U.S. Library of Congress offers a helpful guide to reading specific primary source categories at https://www.loc.gov/teachers/usingprimarysources/guides.html .

• Suppose you have a letter sent from one suffragette to another about the methods used to obtain the right to vote. This document may help you infer how attitudes vary among the movement’s supporters.
• A newspaper article depicting suffragettes as unpatriotic women who would sabotage World War I for the United States helps you understand the opposing attitude.
• Perhaps other sources include a 1917 editorial on the harsh treatment of imprisoned suffragists and an article on major political endorsements for women’s suffrage. From these, you’d infer that 1917 marked a pivotal year, and that the role women played on the home front during World War I would lead to broader support for suffrage.

• For instance, perhaps you read that the National American Woman Suffrage association (NAWSA) made a strategic shift in 1916 from focusing on state-by-state suffrage to prioritizing a constitutional amendment. Mentioning this switch to a more aggressive strategy supports your claim that the stage was set for a 1917 turning point in popular support for women’s suffrage.
• When you think of outside evidence during the planning stages, jot it down so you can refer to it when you write your essay. A good spot could be in the margin of a document that relates to the outside information.

Developing an Argument

• For example, after reviewing the documents related to women’s suffrage, identify the opposing attitudes, how they differed, and how they changed over time.
• Your rough argument at this stage could be, “Those in opposition saw suffragettes as unpatriotic and unfeminine. Attitudes within the suffrage movement were divided between conservative and confrontational elements. By the end of World War I, changing perceptions of the role of women contributed to growing popular support for suffrage.”

• Suppose your DBQ is, “How did World War I affect attitudes toward women’s suffrage in the United States?” A strong tentative thesis would be, “The roles women played in the workforce and in support of the war effort contributed to growing popular support for the suffrage movement.”
• A weak thesis would be, “World War I affected how Americans perceived women’s suffrage.” This simply restates the prompt.

• For example, under numeral I., write, “New Woman: perceptions shift in the 1890s.” This section will explain the 1890s concept of the New Woman, which rejected traditional characterizations of women as dependent and fragile. You’ll argue that this, in part, set the stage for shifting attitudes during and following World War I.
• You can start your planning your essay during the reading portion of the test. If necessary, take around 5 minutes out of the writing portion to finish outlining your argument.

• For instance, under “I. New Woman: perceptions shift in the 1890s,” write “(Doc 1),” which is a pamphlet praising women who ride bicycles, which was seen as “unladylike” at the time.
• Beneath that line, write “(Doc 2),” which is an article that defends the traditional view that women should remain in the household. You’ll use this document to explain the opposing views that set the context for suffrage debates in the 1900s and 1910s.

• Suppose your tentative thesis is, “The roles women played in the workforce and in support of the war effort contributed to growing popular support for the suffrage movement.” You decide that “contributed” isn’t strong enough, and swap it out for “led” to emphasize causation.

Drafting Your Essay

• If you have 45 minutes to write, take about 5 minutes to make an outline. If you have an introduction, 3 main points that cite 6 documents, and a conclusion, plan on spending 7 minutes or less on each of these 5 sections. That will leave you 5 minutes to proofread or to serve as a buffer in case you need more time.
• Check the time periodically as you write to ensure you’re staying on target.

• To set the context, you might write, “The Progressive Era, which spanned roughly from 1890 to 1920, was a time of political, economic, and cultural reform in the United States. A central movement of the era, the Women’s Rights Movement gained momentum as perceptions of the role of women dramatically shifted.”
• If you’d prefer to get straight to the point, feel free to start your introduction with your thesis, then set the context.
• A timed DBQ essay test doesn’t leave you much time to write a long introduction, so get straight to analyzing the documents rather than spell out a long, detailed intro.

• Each body section should have a topic sentence to let the reader know you’re transitioning to a new piece of evidence. For example, start the first section with, “The 1890s saw shifts in perception that set the stage for the major advances in women’s suffrage during and following World War I.”
• Be sure to cite your documents to support each part of your argument. Include direct quotes sparingly, if at all, and prioritize analysis of a source over merely quoting it.
• Whenever you mention a document or information within a document, add parentheses and the number of the document at the end of the sentence, like this: “Women who were not suffragettes but still supported the movement wrote letters discussing their desire to help (Document 2).”

• For example, a private diary entry from 1916 dismissing suffrage as morally corrupt isn’t necessarily a reflection of broader public opinion. There's more to consider than just its content, or what it says.
• Suppose a more reliable document, such as a major newspaper article on the 1916 Democratic and Republican national conventions, details the growing political and public support for women’s suffrage. You’d use this source to show that the diary entry conveys an attitude that was becoming less popular.

• In your essay on World War I and women’s suffrage, you could summarize your argument, then mention that the war similarly impacted women’s voting rights on an international scale.

Revising Your Draft

• If you’re taking an AP history exam or other timed test, minor errors are acceptable as long as they don't affect your argument. Spelling mistakes, for instance, won’t result in a loss of points if the scorer can still understand the word, such as “sufrage” instead of “suffrage.”

• A clear thesis statement.
• Set the prompt’s broader historical context.
• Support your argument using 6 of the 7 included documents.
• Identify and explain 1 piece of historical evidence other than the included documents.
• Describe 3 of the documents’ points of view, purposes, audiences, or context.
• Demonstrate a complex understanding of the topic, such as by discussing causation, change, continuity, or connections to other historical periods.

• As with spelling and grammar, minor errors are acceptable as long as the scorer knows what you mean. Little spelling mistakes are fine, but you’ll lose points if you write that a source supports suffrage when it doesn’t.

Community Q&A

• Remember that you shouldn't just identify or summarize a document. Explain why a source is important, and tie each reference into your argument. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If you’re taking an AP history exam, find exam rubrics, practice tests, and other resources at https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses . Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Taking a timed test can be tough, so time yourself when you take practice tests. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.gpb.org/blogs/education-matters/2016/10/14/getting-started-document-based-questions
• ↑ https://sourceessay.com/tips-to-write-an-impressive-dbq-essay/
• ↑ https://libguides.jcu.edu.au/writing/writing1
• ↑ https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-us-history-dbq-2018.pdf?course=ap-united-states-history
• ↑ https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-us-history-course-and-exam-description.pdf
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/

About This Article

Document-Based Questions, or DBQ essays, are often used in social studies classes to test your ability to do historical work rather than simply memorize facts. Start by spending some time reviewing the documents and developing an argument. Pay special attention to keywords in the prompt that will help you construct your argument. For example, if the prompt includes the words "compare and contrast," you'll need to include 2 different viewpoints in your essay and compare them. Then, as you read your sources, note the authors, points of view, and other key details that will help you figure out how to use the documents. Once you’ve reviewed all of the material, come up with your response. Sketch out a tentative thesis that encapsulates your argument and make an outline for your essay. You can then draft your essay, starting with an introduction that gives context and states your thesis, followed by supporting body paragraphs. To learn how to write a conclusion for your DBQ, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write a DBQ Essay?

01 October, 2020

20 minutes read

Author:  Richard Pircher

AP (Advanced Placement) examinations are standardized tests designed to evaluate how well American students have mastered the course and acquired skills on specific subjects. Most AP courses presuppose final paper-and-pencil tests at the end of the year, but some courses come with different ways to assess students’ knowledge. AP tests cover the full content of each course and give college students an opportunity to obtain college credits and placements.

What Is a DBQ?

A DBQ essay is a type of academic paper written on the basis of a Document Based Question. It implies that students will have some documents to be used as sources of information for writing an essay. Since 2002, the DBQ essay format has been used to test college students for understanding historical development.

The time of US history usually covers a period from 1607 to 1980. At present, the DBQ method is also used to test students in AP European and world history, as well as social studies. The approach is the same, but sources of information are different. For writing DBQ essays, students are offered to analyze some historical events or problems based on the sources or materials provided.

The Purpose of A DBQ Essay

The point of document based question essays is that students are provided with seven documents to be analyzed and used to present evidence-based argumentation in their writings. Students have to formulate the thesis, which should be typically presented in the last sentence of the introduction. Further, this thesis has to be supported by evidence and historical facts. This test is aimed to evaluate the students’ abilities of:

• Analyzing documents, taking into account their authors’ points of view, their purposes, and general context;
• Formulating a strong thesis and substantiating it in an essay;
• Using personal knowledge for supporting the thesis with additional facts.

However, students should not wholly rely on knowledge of historical facts during the test. They rather have to analyze the information contained in the provided documents. To successfully pass this test, students need to have the skills of logical thinking, as well as profound knowledge of civilization development, historical facts, and geographical regions. The task is to interpret historical material, draw conclusions based on existing knowledge, and answer the main question.

Preparing For The DBQ Essay

The DBQ test is based on the skills of historical analysis that you can acquire and put into practice. For writing a strong DBQ essay, you need to use the evidence provided to support an argument, make connections between different documents, and apply specific information in a broader context. Also, a historical essay with a Document Based Question answers the issues of the author’s intentions, general conditions, target audience, and so on.

It is recommended to practice writing this type of essays to be well prepared for the DBQ essays. When you exercise, you do not have to write a complete essay every time. The main point is to understand the main issue and related documents and then sketch out the thesis. Make sure you are aware of the general historical trends and periods.

The general flow of your preparation should include taking a practice of the DBQ test and focusing on analysis and exposing your suggestions in writing. How much you take the practice DBQs depends on how perfect preparation you need and how often you want to check your progress. Take practice to write DBQ essays so that this format becomes familiar to you, but not so much that you fail to apply other skills.

How to write a DBQ essay? Firstly, do not intend to fudge your way through the DBQ test by using only beautiful writing with no substance. Secondly, you should focus on the meaning of your essay. Thirdly, you can get your essay peer-reviewed online. Fourthly, ask somebody who has experience in this matter to review your practice with a DBQ essay. Listen to comments and ideas of that person to take these recommendations into consideration.

Stuck on writing an DBQ essay? Our Essay writers is always ready to help you!

DBQ Outline

The process of writing a DBQ essay requires a proper outline. Plan how much time you can spend on each paragraph. Read the main question carefully and make sure you understand what is being asked. As you read the documents, take notes about what information they contain, who the author is, and which historical period it belongs to. Before you start writing, think about the thesis. The materials provided and your notes will help you compose a thesis.

Read the essential hints and objectives carefully. Make sure you understand what evidence to look for in the documents and what the instructors want to see in your essay. Most probably, you might be asked to analyze or explain the reasons for the historical development. Use your knowledge to compare and contrast different perspectives on a concept. Show how public opinion has changed over a specified period.

The outline to plan and write a DBQ essay is similar to an FRQ (Free Response Question) test, but your evidence should be based on the supplied documents. When you read these documents, ask yourself what grabs your attention and what is the background information on the topic (date, place, and surrounding situation). State the question with key terms. Tell what the reasons to prove your point of view are.

Think about the thesis or roadmap of what the essay will be about. Typically, a statement credited as evidence from outside the documents will be more specific and relevant to an argument, analogous to the function of evidence drawn from the papers. In the body paragraphs, outline sub theses based on the information from either documents or sources, as well as provide two to three examples. Each sub thesis should be grounded by evidence.

Support details for reasons with references to the specific documents or sources and connect your evidence to your thesis. In the central argument or conclusion, restate your thesis. It should not be its exact duplication, but a periphrasis of your thesis statement in differing words. Explain and not simply identify how or why the documents, their purposes, historical situation, and audience are relevant to an argument. In the end, clarify relevant and insightful connections across time and space and explain why the issue is significant today.

DBQ Structure

Here are the main parts of the DBQ essay a student cannot forget about:

DBQ Essay Introduction: Starting DBQ Format

Problems and discussions usually characterize the DBQ essay outline. In this work, it is not enough to retell what is written in a textbook, as is often the case in a DBQ essay, or to apply a problem-solving technique, as in a test. When writing the DBQ essay outline, you can be guided by the example of the logic of construction, become familiar with the DBQ essay, and start with the relevance of the topic.

Strong Thesis Statement: What Should It Include?

The strength of your thesis statement influences how you write a DBQ. The standard number of theses for a DBQ essay is from 2 to 5. To determine the exact number of ideas, you must be guided by the required work. The larger the text, the stronger the thesis statement should be. It isn’t easy to write a DBQ on one thesis statement.

There are specific ways to write a DBQ with a strong thesis statement in the paper. The main DBQ essay outline has only four points:

• DBQ outline requires you to determine why you are convincing the reader of the truth or falsity of the thesis statement. To do this, it is desirable to be clear about the target audience. Your thesis statement should be interesting to the reader. Otherwise, he will not read further;
• Gathering information. You can write a good DBQ essay only if you have read enough literature on the topic before. In the process, you will be able to understand the relevance of your document-based question;
• In any DBQ format, it is essential to identify keywords that will be the anchor points and skeleton of the DBQ essay outline.

DBQ Essay Example: Describe Your Main Ideas in Body Paragraph

It reveals the DBQ essay outline from the introduction from different angles. The central part of the DBQ format is not a continuous text; it is divided into smaller pieces. In the first part, you need to state your DBQ outline and describe how you understand and feel about the topic. Next, justify your opinion with arguments. DBQ outline demands facts from life, scientific studies, and views of scientists. You can cite facts from history to write a DBQ.

DBQ Essay Example: Logical Conclusion

The conclusion of a document-based question essay can contain such an essential, complementary element to the article as an indication of the application (implication) of your research, not excluding the relationship with other problems. DBQ essay example: “The DBQ essay is mainly about gender relations in agricultural labor, but a fuller examination would also require an examination of class relations,” followed by a few sentences explaining how the DBQ essay does that.

How to Write a DBQ essay With a Strong Thesis Statement

DBQ stands for a document based question. Such assignments require a student to demonstrate their ability to create well-researched arguments. If you have never written such tasks, read about the DBQ format.

Steps of Writing a DBQ

Create dbq essay outline: write an intro.

You will be provided with a historical context to help write a DBQ introduction. In addition, it will allow you to develop several ideas for writing your text.

Make sure to write a DBQ first sentence that answers 4 questions:

It will allow you to provide your reader with a context and briefly indicate what problem you will solve. This sentence should be the first part of your DBQ essay outline. It is followed by a couple of sentences preceding a thesis statement.

Write a Powerful Thesis Statement

To write a DBQ that will look well-researched, pay careful attention to this part of your essay. Likewise, consider the question you need to answer when writing a thesis statement.

To get tops marks for your document based question essay, follow these steps:

• Make claims and provide pieces of evidence
• When creating a DBQ essay outline, remember to describe the information that you will base your statements on
• Write a paragraph explaining how you will answer the main question

If you have never written a thesis statement before, look at a DBQ essay example to see how another author coped with this task.

Correctly Structure a Body Paragraph in Your DBQ Essay Outline

A DBQ format doesn’t require you to limit the number of body paragraphs. However, when creating a DBQ outline, include at least 3 paragraphs to cover the main points.

The first paragraph should follow your thesis statement. Experienced writers start a DBQ essay outline by selecting the strongest point and analyzing it from several points of view. Then, use a transition sentence to move smoothly to the next part of your DBQ outline. It will enable you to write a DBQ more easily.

The second and third paragraphs of your DBQ essay outline should also refer to the thesis statement. You can also find a DBQ essay example with four or more paragraphs if you need to provide a detailed answer to your question.

DBQ format is quite easy to use. You can make your text logical by creating an easy-to-follow DBQ outline. Don’t forget to add another transition sentence at the end of this part of your text.

Draw a Conclusion

The last part of your DBQ outline should summarize your argument and show that you have answered the question. Use a DBQ essay example to see how such parts of these essays are usually written. The main thing is to list your main points and show that the opposing views are biased.

Wrapping Up

Following these tips, you can write a DBQ essay demonstrating that you can analyze complex issues and draw independent conclusions. Practice a lot to hone your skills and get the highest marks!

DBQ Essay Examples

If you are not sure of how to write a DBQ essay, you can always search and find good examples online. You can find them on the College Board website. This organization administers AP tests, and therefore, the provided DBQ essay samples can give you some prompts and responses to many questions. These samples are not only evaluated, but the score system is explained in accordance with the rubric.

Writing Tips to Succeed with Your DBQ Essay

The AP test typically consists of one or two DBQ essays, and 45 minutes is given to writing each of them. So, students have up to 90 minutes to draw up a plan and finish two papers. When you see the task for writing a DBQ essay, you will see instructions, a hint, and attached documents. Usually, up to seven different sources are provided. These can be newspaper clippings, articles, maps, drawings, photographs, and so on. However, you do not need to use all the documents, but at least four of them.

It is recommended that you first read the materials and schedule your time carefully. Organize these sources into categories and define how each document relates to your main question. Think about how to use documents to support your argument. If you are comparing different points of view, classify your sources based on opposing opinions.

Also, try to include relevant external information in your essay. You need to provide at least one piece of evidence besides the data from the provided documents. List some external evidence on a draft to refer to when writing your essay. As you write your DBQ essay, support your arguments with links to provided documents. Make sure that both your argument structure and supporting evidence back up your preliminary thesis.

You should describe how a particular event, movement, or somebody’s beliefs can support your statement. Outline the structure of your arguments in your DBQ essay. Start with your preliminary thesis and break your essay into multiple parts. In each of them, write one statement or element for the argument. Under each idea, list a few points supporting that part of your argument. Also, do not just cite sources without analysis.

Make sure you use documents to craft and highlight your point of view. Refine your thesis and make sure again that your thesis is clear, does not contain unnecessary words, and fully answers the main question. When writing an essay, general historical accuracy is essential, but not details. If minor details are not indicated correctly without affecting the general meaning, then this will not lead to a decrease in the overall test score.

How To Be Successful On The DBQ Test Day?

The matter of how to write a DBQ essay may seem challenging, but you are able to pass an AP test and get a high score provided that you have particular skills. It is recommended to get acquainted with the DBQ essay rubric that instructors use to evaluate AP tests. Information about this rubric can be found on the College Board website. It has four categories: abstracts, document analysis, use of third-party evidence, and synthesis.

You can get one point for the thesis and argument. An extra point is given for a perfect thesis presenting the close relationship between historical events and their causes. A strong thesis, supported by information from documents or any other source, is of great importance. Also, you need to reinforce this thesis in your paper. Demonstrate that you have generated a critical understanding of the given sources by focusing on what they mean rather than what they say.

Another three points are provided for the use of the maximum number of documents and their detailed analysis. This analysis refers to the authors’ points of view, target audience, or historical context. Be sure to reveal the connection between your research and your main argument. Providing an external example and establishing a link with another historical period or topic is estimated as one additional point. You are advised to give an extra specific example that is relevant to your argument.

When passing an AP History exam with a DBQ essay, you will lose one point out of seven if you do not relate your arguments to the broader historical context. Also, you will miss one point if you just mention sources or add quotes at random. You have to establish logical connections between the documents and the conclusions you draw.

For synthesis, you need to show the link between your arguments about a specific period with another historical time, social processes, geographic regions, etc. It is best done in the final part of your essay. This task will earn you one more point. In the end, take at least a few minutes to check everything and make corrections. Make sure the names, dates, and other facts are provided correctly.

Thus, the maximum number of points that you can get in the AP exam with DBQ essays is 7. For that, you have to clearly state your thesis, establish a broader historical context, support your argument with as many documents as possible, provide external evidence, and describe several points of view. However, you do not need to obtain the highest score to achieve your goals. You can get 5 or 6 points out of 7 on this exam, and it will be a success. Even 3 points can give you a credit score in many colleges.

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As you prepare for college, you will want to learn as much as possible about a DBQ essay. This type of essay is found in AP history exams and social studies classes in different grades.

A DBQ , or Document-Based Question essay  requires students to develop an argument using evidence from a set of primary source documents provided to them. The DBQ essay tests a student's ability to critically analyze multiple documents, connect them to the historical context, and form a coherent, well-argued response. These documents may include written texts, images, graphs, or maps, and typically relate to a specific historical period or theme.

It deals with way more of historical documents then you might have thought. So, at some point, you can certainly find yourself at a loss. “How to write a DBQ Essay?”, you may ask. Don't worry! In this article, we will talk about how to write it. We will look at its format and show you an example. Are you ready to learn more now from proficient essay writers online ?

What Is a DBQ Essay: Main Definition

In simple terms, a DBQ Essay is an assignment that tests student's analytical and comprehension skills. There is a more formal definition of this term. DBQ stands for Document-Based Question. This type of essay is part of the AP US History (APUSH) exam established by the US College Board. Student's task is to provide their foliage knowledge and back it up with facts. Three to 16 reliable sources of information are required. To write quality work, you must understand more about the DBQ essay schema.

How to Write a DBQ Essay: Step-by-Step Guide

The first question that students have is “how to write a DBQ essay?” Students must familiarize themselves with an issue posed in a document. They should interpret presented material with particular historical period in mind. Student will have 15 minutes to read paper, take notes, and then 45 minutes to write their DBQ. Sounds a little complicated? No worries. We’ve prepared a basic step-by-step guide to help you complete this challenge for the highest score.

Step 1. Analyze the Documents Before Starting a DBQ Essay

If you are on an AP exam , you will have 15 minutes to familiarize yourself with the hint and document for writing a DBQ essay. During this short period, you need to read your given tip carefully (we recommend re-reading it several times), analyze attached documents, and develop your own argumentation. Document analysis is the first and most crucial step in writing a DBQ. Be sure to highlight the question for yourself. Otherwise, you risk losing points even for the most adequately structured and competent essay if it does not answer the question posed in the tip.

Step 2. Create Your Thesis for DBQ Essay

After reading an essay recommendation, you will need to highlight a DBQ thesis sentence. It is a summary of your arguments. Make sure your thesis is a well-founded statement that responds to clues rather than just repeats them. There should be several arguments in the thesis itself. Let's suppose that the question of your document is, “Why did movement for women's suffrage start in the 20th century?”. "Significant contributions of women in support of the war formed a movement for women's suffrage to the right” is a strong thesis. In this case, thesis speaks of participation in hostilities during the First World War. Therefore, it will be easier for you and your future reader to form some strong point of view when reading your work. Support your arguments with around 6 documents. Always highlight one of them whose vision of the situation is closer to you. You will decide on the main answer to the question based on your thesis and read the documents.  

Step 3. Read the Documents and Note the Details Before Writing a DBQ Essay

As we said above, correctly highlighted abstracts are key to successful DBQ essay writing. Be careful when reading any information. Read the documentation carefully and take your time looking for answers. We have a few recommendations for you:

• Indicate the document's author, their audience, and point of view.
• Determine percentage of reliability of this source and try to identify what influenced the author's opinion (perhaps this is particular historical period that will help you in further analysis).
• Highlight key points such as “evaluate,” “analyze,” and “compare and contrast.” Also, look for keywords such as "social,” "political," and "economical,” as well as information about the period and society in question (it is convenient to take notes in document margins so that you can return to desired passage).

Kindly note that not all sources will be written documents. Occasionally, you will come across diagrams, maps, or political cartoons. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with some nuances of reading primary sources in advance.

Step 4. Create a DBQ Essay Outline

Before you start writing your text:

• Make a brief DBQ essay template outline.
• Organize your brief and write your central thesis at page's top.
• Write a possible structure for your document.
• Next to each item, write one statement that does not contradict your view.

If you indicate some sources as a confirmation to sections, it is recommended to draw up an essay in chronological order. Keep in mind that an essay structure should not be broken. Start with an introduction, then write at least three paragraphs with arguments. Your DBQ should end with a conclusion in which you again repeat your thesis, only in an affirmative manner.

Step 5. Write Your DBQ Essay

Find out time management tips when writing DBQ essays. Remember that you will have 45 minutes during which you must complete the entire paper. We recommend that you plan how much time you are willing to spend on each of your sections. Be sure that you take a few minutes and correct your essay at the very end. DBQ essays have a clear structure that cannot be deviated from introduction with a thesis sentence, body with enough evidence supporting your arguments, and conclusion. We will tell you more about what each section should include later in this blog post.

How to Start a DBQ Essay

It would help if you started with DBQ essay introduction. In this part of your text, indicate your thesis and several appropriate sentences in context. It is a natural and easy way that you can start your essay right and not get lost in thought. It should be noted that you must link your thesis with its historical implications. If you don’t, you will probably lose one point.

How to Write a Body Paragraph for a DBQ Essay

It is crucial to know how to write a body paragraph . DBQ essay body paragraphs occupy more than 80% of your text. It typically consists of at least three paragraphs. All sections should be logically related with each other. Stay tuned to chronology of events, especially if you mention periods or information that supports your arguments with documents' date. Each of the paragraphs can indicate some component of your thesis. You should mention dates, historical figures and cite papers as often as possible. Include document's number in parentheses when using a quotation.

How to Write a Conclusion Essay for a DBQ

Writing a conclusion in a DBQ essay is as easy as shelling pears. You shouldn't really indicate anything new that was not in your text. Summarize your arguments and point out to your reader that you have been able to prove your claim. You will most likely get an extra point if you can connect your arguments with history of other periods or other countries. Scale your thoughts. For example, if you are talking about the First World War period in the United States, then indicate that it had similar impact on citizens of other countries.

The Best DBQ Essay Example

Still, have some more questions? DBQ essay sample will be beneficial for you when preparing for an exam. An example helps you understand the structure and formation of arguments in your future text. You can check out our sample if you are in need of further help. Do not hesitate to contact professionals! After all, high-quality assistance is key to your good grade.

DBQ Essay: Bottom Line

We have detailed the way and structure of a DBQ essay. Its purpose is based on analyzing, drawing conclusions or tracing trends of events from the past. Writing a strong essay includes all your skills learned in the AP class. This way professors can assess student's knowledge, experience and evaluate their efforts. Your dbq score is one-quarter of your score on the entire AP exam. In general, you can achieve up to seven points for this assignment. Article above describes a few ways of getting more points...

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Frequently Asked Questions About DBQ Essay

1. do i need to use quotes in my dbq essay.

Yes. Use quotes in your DBQ essay as often as possible. In this way, you will provide evidence to support your argument. But do not forget to analyze these quotes every time and talk about your point of view. Use quotation marks when writing quotes.

2. Can I start a DBQ essay introduction with a question?

Yes, you can start the DBQ essay introduction with a question. Keep in mind that you must answer this question using an argument. Further down a text, you should not ask questions.

3. Is a DBQ essay an LEQ with documents?

A DBQ essay should consist of evidence from the documents provided in your task. LEQ (that stands for thesis-based response) should not contain any evidence at all.

4. How many documents usually need to be analyzed for DBQ essay?

Usually, before writing a DBQ essay, you need to analyze about 5 to 7 documents. But it is always a good idea to check with your professors for clear instructions.

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How to Write a DBQ

A DBQ essay is an assigned task which tests a student’s analyzation and understanding skills. They also test a student in thinking outside the box. These skills are essential for success in gaining this academic qualification. In this article from EssayPro — professional essay writers team, we will talk about how to write a DBQ, we will go through the DBQ format, and show you a DBQ example.

What Is a DBQ?

Many students may prosper: “What is a DBQ?”. Long story short, DBQ Essay or “Document Based Question” is an assigned academic paper which is part of the AP U.S. History exam (APUSH) set by the United States College Board. It requires a student’s knowledge of a certain topic with evidence from around 3 to 16 reliable sources. Understanding the APUSH DBQ and its outline is essential for success in the exam, itself.

DBQ Outline

We understand that learning how to write a DBQ essay can be difficult for beginners. This is why our professional writers have listed the DBQ format for your own reference while preparing for the exam. Like all essays, this involves an introduction, thesis, body, and conclusion.

Introduction

• An introductory sentence to hook your audience.
• State the background of the topic. Using a source relating to a historical occurrence or historical figure can be helpful at this time.
• Describe the claims made in your paper which can be supported by the evidence.
• Create a brief description of the evidence that will be included in the body paragraphs.
• Write a paragraph which talks about how the DBQ essay question will be answered.

Body Paragraph 1

• Include the strongest argument. This should be linked to the thesis statement. Read our example of thesis statement .
• Include an analysis of the references which relate to the strongest argument.
• Write a statement which concludes the analysis in a different point of view. Include a link to the thesis.
• Write a transition sentence to the next body paragraph.

Body Paragraph 2

• Include a reasonable argument which links to the thesis, and the first argument in the previous body paragraph.

Body Paragraph 3

• Include a reasonable argument which links to the thesis, and the second argument in the previous body paragraph.
• Write a transition sentence to the conclusion.
• Create a summarizing argument of the whole paper.
• Include the main points or important information in the sources.
• Create a concluding sentence or question which challenges the point of view that argues against these sources.

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How to Write a DBQ: Step-By-Step Instructions

For some students, writing a DBQ essay may be hard. Not to worry. Our easy-to-read step-by-step instructions talk about the essential points which includes how to write a DBQ thesis, analyzation, time-management and proofreading your work. It is always important to write your paper in accordance to the DBQ outline for achieving the success you’re capable of.

The DBQ involves:

• Planning: 15 Minutes
• Writing: 2 hours and 45 Minutes
• Proofreading: 10 Minutes

Time management is essential for a successful grade in this form of examination. The general DBQ outline states that the duration is 3 hours and 15 minutes. Spend around 15 minutes planning, 2 hours and 45 minutes writing, and 10 minutes proofreading. Follow these easy-to-read step-by-step instructions to learn how to write a DBQ thesis, body and conclusion successfully.

Step 1: Planning (15 Minutes)

During the exam, it is important to study the provided sources. The exam is 3 hours, so 15 minutes for planning is a reasonable approach. During this time, analyze all of the important key-points from the sources provided. Then, take a note of all of the key points, and write them under the titles; introduction, thesis, body, and conclusion.

Step 2: Introduction (5 Minutes)

First impressions count. Keep the introduction short and brief. Don’t go straight into answering the question in this part of the paper. For a successful introduction, write a brief summary of the overall paper. It is also important to include an introductory sentence.

Step 3: Thesis (20 Minutes)

This form of essay requires a separate 3 paragraphs for the DBQ thesis. Describe the claims made in your paper which can be supported by the evidence. The second paragraph should include a description of the paper. The third paragraph should include how you’re going to answer the question.

• The key difference with other essays is that the thesis plays an important role in the DBQ structure.
• The APUSH DBQ thesis should not be two sentences long.
• The thesis should be written with act least 2 or 3 paragraphs long.

Step 4: Body (2 Hours and 16 Minutes)

Write well-structured, categorized paragraphs. Each paragraph should include one point. Avoid mixing ideas in the paragraphs. Include your answer to the assigned question with the provided documents. It is also important to read between the lines. Each paragraph should link to the thesis.

Step 5: Conclusion (10 Minutes)

The final part of your paper. The conclusion plays a vital role in persuading your audience. A poorly written conclusion means a skeptical audience. For well-written conclusion, summarize the entire paper. Link the conclusion to the thesis. Answer the question in a concluding sentence, “the big idea”.

Step 6: Proofreading (10 Minutes)

Spend around 10 minutes proofreading your work at the end of the exam. It is important to proofread your work to make sure it does not contain any grammatical mistakes. Any writing errors can lower one’s grade. Please make sure that the body paragraphs answer the question and link to the thesis, this is the most important part of the paper.

Writing Tips to Success with Your DBQ Essay

Understand: Before writing, make sure that you understand the sources and the essay question. Duration: Remember that the exam duration is 3 hours and 15 minutes. Study: Practice how to write a DBQ before the actual exam. Identify: Find the key-points from the sources to include in your essay.

Read Between the Lines: Don’t just write about what you read, but write about what the passages imply. Read all Documents: Make sure you have read all of the sources, prior to writing the paper. Read the Outline: Following the DBQ essay outline is essential for understanding how to structure the paper during the exam. Categorize: Put each point into categories. This will come in useful for writing the body paragraphs. Write the Author’s Opinion: Show an understanding of the writer’s point of view. Write a Temporary DBQ Thesis on your Notes: Doing so will assist you during the paper writing. Follow DBQ Examples: Following a DBQ essay example, while studying, is an excellent way to get a feel for this form of assignment.

DBQ Example

Do you need more help? Following a sample DBQ essay can be very useful for preparation. Usually, when practicing for exams, students commonly refer to an example for understanding the DBQ structure, and other revision purposes. Click on the button to open our DBQ example from one of our professional writers. Feel free to use it as a reference when learning how to write a DBQ.

The Great War and the second ordeal of conflict in Europe, played a fundamental in the increase of the rights for women. During the second world war, the British government encouraged house-wives to do the work of what was primarily traditional for men to do.Such as growing crops and butchering animals, which was generally considered to be“men’s work”. One of the slogans was “dig for victory”. The reason for this was for people to take care of themselves during the difficult times of rationing.

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Following steps and outlines for custom writing is a great way to learn how to write a DBQ essay. As well as writing tips. Time management is vital for the positive result. Following our advice will enable you to get a good grade by learning how to write a good DBQ. Because learning the DBQ format is essential. Practice is very important for any form of examination. Otherwise, one could not do as well as his or her potential allows him or her to do so.

You might be interested in information about this type of essay, such as the definition essay .

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is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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How to Write the Document Based Question (DBQ)

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What is the document based question, steps to writing an effective dbq, how do ap scores affect my college chances.

If you’re taking a history AP exam, you’ll likely encounter the Document Based Question (DBQ). This essay question constitutes a significant portion of your exam, so it’s important that you have a good grasp on how best to approach the DBQ. In this post, we’ll cover what exactly a document based question is, and how to answer it successfully.

A Document Based Question (DBQ) is a measure of the skills you learned in your AP classes in regard to recalling history and analyzing related documents. These documents can be primary or secondary sources, and your responses are expected to be in the form of an essay. Your ability to relate the context of documents to concepts beyond the given text and creating meaningful connections between all your sources will help demonstrate your skills as a knowledgeable writer.

The number of documents for a DBQ varies from exam to exam, but typically will fall between five to seven documents. The following AP exams will require you to write a DBQ:

AP U.S. History

AP European History

AP World History

We’ve listed the formats for each exam below, and keep in mind that the number of documents is prone to changing from year to year:

• Up to seven Documents
• One hour recommended time (includes 15-minute reading period)
• Up to seven Documents 
• 25% of total exam score

With that in mind, let’s jump right into how to craft a strong DBQ response!

We’ve summarized how to write an effective DBQ into the following five steps:

1. Read the prompt first

Though you may be tempted to jump into the documents right away, it’s very important that you first look at what exactly the prompt is asking for. This way, when you eventually look at the documents, your focus will be narrower. A DBQ tests your reading comprehension and analysis skills more than the content itself, making it very important to understand your prompt thoroughly.

2. Skim the document titles

Each document will contain vital information regarding the context, and it’s important to scout key words regarding dates, authors, and anything pertaining to the general sense of what the documents are about. Skimming through your documents like this could save time and allow you to form a more structurally sound thesis.

Let’s take a look at the following graph and figure out how to skim the figure:

This document was in a real exam from the AP World History free response questions in 2019. It’s important to pay attention to data provided and what context can be drawn from it. In this case, we’re provided with a graph that displays the life expectancy of a country in relation to the GDP per capita of said country. Being able to skim this graph and notice the common trends in the data points could provide convenient information into the context of the document, without any further intensive reading. 

For example, seeing how countries with a GDP below 4,000 to 5,000 have lower life expectancies already gives us a potential correlation between the two factors. We can use this information to start formulating a thesis, depending on what the prompt is specifically asking for.

Remember, just skim! Don’t worry about reading the entire document yet; this strategy can keep you calm and level-headed before tackling the rest of the document. Methods like this can make acing the AP World History DBQ less intimidating! 

3. Formulate a tentative thesis

A thesis is a statement that should be proved and discussed upon. It’s important to have a strong thesis as the foundation of your DBQ, as it guides the rest of your response in relation to the context. Understanding the difference between weak and strong theses will be imperative to your success, so here is an example of a weak thesis:

“The Cold War originated from some scenarios of conflict between Soviets and some groups of oppressors.” 

Such a thesis can be considered weak for its lack of specificity, focal point, and usability as a constructive tool to write further detail on the subject. This thesis does not take a clear stance or communicate to the reader what the essay will specifically focus on. Here’s how the same thesis can be restructured to be stronger and more useful:

“The Cold War originated from tense diplomatic conflicts relating to propaganda and conspiratorial warfare between the United States and the Soviet Union.”

The information that’s been included into the second thesis about the two groups involved with the Cold War gives you more room to build a structured essay response. In relation to the rubric/grading schema for this DBQ, forming a structurally sound thesis or claim is one of the seven attainable points. Being able to contextualize, analyze, and reason off of this thesis alone could provide for two to four points – this means that five out of seven of your points revolve around your thesis, so make sure that it’s strong! Doing all of this in your fifteen minute reading period is crucial as once this is set, writing your actual response will be much easier!

4. Actively read the documents

Simply reading a document doesn’t normally suffice for creating a well-written and comprehensive response. You should focus on implementing your active reading skills, as this will make a huge difference as to how efficient you are during your work process. 

Active reading refers to reading with an intention to grab key words and fragments of important information, usually gone about by highlighting and separating important phrases. Annotations, underlining, and circling are all great ways to filter out important information from irrelevant text in the documents. 

An example of where you might find important information via active reading is the description. Circle important names or dates to contextualize the document. If you still can’t find contextual value from the title, that’s totally fine! Just scope out the rest of the document in relevance to your thesis – that is, pinpoint the specific information or text that best supports your argument. Finding one or two solid points of interest from one document is usually enough to write about and expand upon within your essay. 

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5. Make an Outline 

If you like outlines, making one before writing your essay might prove helpful, just be aware of the time limit and act accordingly. 

Start with your introduction, then work on the rest of your essay. This way, you can make sure your thesis is clear and strong, and it will help the graders form a clear view on what the general consensus of your paper is. Make sure to include evidence with your thesis within each paragraph and cite only relevant information, otherwise your citations could come across as filler as opposed to useful content. Every commentary or point you make should be tied in some way to the documents.

Format each body paragraph and organize your essay in a way that makes sense to you! The graders aren’t really looking at the structure of your essay; rather, they want to see that you analyzed the documents in a way that is supportive of your essay. As long as you have content from the documents which prove your thesis, the order or manner in which you present them doesn’t matter too much. What’s more important is that your essay is clear and comprehensive. As you write practice DBQs, try having someone else read your essays to make sure that the format is easy to follow.

Keep all these key details in mind as you construct your own DBQ response, and you’re well on your way to writing an effective essay!

Your chances of admission are actually not really impacted by your AP scores; however, the AP classes you take are more important than the exam scores themselves, meaning the impact of your AP scores isn’t as big as you think . 

Instead, focusing on the AP classes on your transcript and the relevance of those classes to your future major is more impactful. For a further detailed understanding of the role AP classes play in regards to your college admissions, use CollegeVine’s free Admissions Calculator , which takes into account your GPA, standardized test scores, and more. 

Additional Information

To dive deeper into DBQs, AP classes, and learning how to tackle each exam check out other resources at CollegeVine:

• Acing the Document Based Question on the AP US History Exam
• Acing the AP World History Document Based Question
• Ultimate Guide to the AP U.S. History Exam
• Ultimate Guide to the AP European History Exam
• Ultimate Guide to the AP World History Exam

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How to Write a DBQ (Ultimate Guide, Examples, Templates)

Writing a Document-Based Question (DBQ) can feel like solving a mystery.

You’ve got clues (documents), a mystery to solve (the question), and your wits to put it all together.

Here is a quick summary of how to write a DBQ:

Write a DBQ by analyzing the prompt, examining and grouping documents by themes, crafting a clear thesis, outlining your essay, writing with evidence from the documents, and proofreading for clarity and coherence. Organize your argument logically and support it with historical evidence.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to write DBQs, plus plenty of examples and full templates.

What Is a DBQ?

Table of Contents

A Document-Based Question (DBQ) is an essay prompt used in exams like AP History. It requires you to analyze and synthesize historical documents to create a coherent argument. Think of it as being a historian, piecing together evidence to support a thesis.

Types of DBQs

• Historical DBQs : Focus on specific historical periods or events, such as the American Revolution or World War II.
• Thematic DBQs : Explore broader themes like political movements, social changes, or economic trends.
• Comparative DBQs : Compare different periods, regions, or themes to draw broader conclusions about historical processes.

Step-by-Step Guide to DBQ Bliss

I’ve done my best to outline each step with examples of specific “how-to” tips.

Follow this guide to learn how to write a DBQ you and your teacher will love.

1. Read the Prompt

Understand what the question is asking. Look for key terms, time periods, and specific directives. Knowing exactly what is required will help you focus your analysis and writing.

Example : “Analyze the causes of the American Revolution.”

Here is how to do it:

• Identify the time frame: Late 18th century.
• Recognize key terms: “Analyze” (break down into components) and “causes” (reasons or factors).
• Note any specific instructions: Are you asked to consider political, economic, or social causes?

2. Analyze the Documents

Examine each document carefully.

Identify the author’s perspective, the context, and how it relates to the prompt. Take notes on key points and underline or highlight important information.

Example : A letter from a colonial leader expressing frustration with British taxes.

• Determine the author’s background: Is the author a colonial leader, British official, or ordinary citizen?
• Contextualize the document: When was it written? What events were happening at that time?
• Analyze the content: What is the main message or argument? How does it relate to the prompt?
• Identify bias or perspective: Is the author supporting or opposing the British policies?

3. Group the Documents

Group documents that share similar viewpoints or themes. This helps in organizing your essay and ensures that your argument is coherent and well-structured.

Example : Group documents showing economic grievances, political dissatisfaction, and social unrest.

• Identify common themes: Are there multiple documents discussing taxes, political representation, or social issues?
• Create categories: Economic grievances, political dissatisfaction, social unrest.
• Note connections: How do these themes interrelate? Can one category lead to another?

4. Develop a Thesis Statement

Craft a clear, concise thesis that answers the prompt and reflects the grouped documents. Your thesis should serve as the backbone of your essay, guiding your arguments and analysis.

Example : “The American Revolution was driven by economic, political, and social factors.”

• Address all parts of the prompt: Ensure your thesis covers the main aspects asked by the question.
• Be specific: Instead of saying “various factors,” specify “economic, political, and social factors.”
• Be concise: Your thesis should be one or two sentences long.

5. Outline Your Essay

Create a detailed outline. Each paragraph should focus on a specific group of documents and support your thesis. This ensures that your essay is logically organized and easy to follow.

• Introduction : Thesis statement
• Body Paragraph 1 : Economic grievances
• Body Paragraph 2 : Political dissatisfaction
• Body Paragraph 3 : Social unrest
• Conclusion : Restate thesis and summarize main points
• Introduction: Start with a hook to grab attention, provide background information, and present your thesis.
• Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea. Use evidence from the documents to support your points. Include outside knowledge to add depth to your analysis.
• Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your thesis in a new light. Offer a final thought or insight.

6. Write the Essay

Follow your outline. Use evidence from the documents and your own knowledge to support your thesis. Make sure to integrate quotes and evidence smoothly into your writing.

• Introduction : “The American Revolution, fueled by economic, political, and social factors, marked a pivotal moment in history.”
• Body Paragraph 1 : “Economic grievances, such as unfair taxation, sparked colonial anger. For example, Document 1 shows a colonial leader’s frustration with the Stamp Act…”
• Body Paragraph 2 : “Political dissatisfaction with British rule led to a desire for independence. Document 2, a pamphlet by Thomas Paine, argues for the colonies’ right to self-govern…”
• Body Paragraph 3 : “Social unrest, driven by Enlightenment ideas, encouraged a revolutionary spirit. Document 3, an excerpt from a speech, highlights the influence of Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke…”
• Conclusion : “In conclusion, the American Revolution was a multifaceted event driven by economic, political, and social causes. This period of upheaval set the stage for the birth of a new nation…”
• Introduction: Provide context and clearly state your thesis.
• Body Paragraphs: Start each paragraph with a topic sentence. Use evidence from the documents and outside information. Analyze the evidence and connect it back to your thesis.
• Conclusion: Summarize your arguments. Restate your thesis in a new way and offer a final insight or implication.

7. Proofread and Revise

Check for clarity, coherence, and errors. Make sure your argument flows logically and your writing is clear and concise. Revise for content, structure, and grammar.

Here is how to do it :

• Read your essay aloud: This helps catch awkward phrasing and errors.
• Check for consistency: Ensure that your thesis and arguments are consistent throughout the essay.
• Verify document usage: Make sure you have used all the required documents and cited them correctly.
• Look for clarity: Ensure that each paragraph flows logically and your points are clearly expressed.

Here is a good video about how to write a DBQ:

DBQ Examples

Read through these DBQ examples to learn how to apply all of the tips and steps covered earlier in this guide.

Let these examples prompt you to write your own original DBQs.

Example 1: The American Revolution

Prompt : Analyze the causes of the American Revolution.

Thesis : The American Revolution was driven by economic, political, and social factors.

Documents :

• A letter from a colonial leader expressing frustration with British taxes.
• A British tax document detailing the Stamp Act.
• An excerpt from a revolutionary pamphlet by Thomas Paine.

Essay : The American Revolution, fueled by economic, political, and social factors, marked a pivotal moment in history. Economic grievances, such as unfair taxation, sparked colonial anger.

Document 1, a letter from a colonial leader, expresses frustration with the Stamp Act, highlighting the economic burden placed on the colonies. Political dissatisfaction with British rule led to a desire for independence. Document 2, a British tax document, shows the imposition of the Stamp Act, which further fueled the desire for political representation. Social unrest, driven by Enlightenment ideas, encouraged a revolutionary spirit.

Document 3, an excerpt from Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, argues for the colonies’ right to self-govern and the influence of Enlightenment thinkers. In conclusion, the American Revolution was a multifaceted event driven by economic, political, and social causes.

Example 2: The French Revolution

Prompt : Evaluate the causes of the French Revolution.

Thesis : The French Revolution was caused by economic hardship, political corruption, and social inequality.

• A tax record from a French peasant showing high taxes.
• A speech by a revolutionary leader denouncing the monarchy.
• An excerpt from a political manifesto calling for equality.

Essay : The French Revolution was caused by economic hardship, political corruption, and social inequality. Economic hardship, exemplified by high taxes and poor harvests, burdened the peasantry. Document 1, a tax record from a French peasant, illustrates the heavy tax burden that contributed to widespread discontent. Political corruption within the monarchy led to widespread disillusionment.

Document 2, a speech by a revolutionary leader, denounces the corruption and incompetence of the monarchy, calling for change. Social inequality, highlighted by the privileges of the nobility, fueled revolutionary fervor. Document 3, an excerpt from a political manifesto, calls for equality and the abolition of privileges, reflecting the revolutionary ideals.

In conclusion, the French Revolution was a complex event driven by economic, political, and social factors.

Example 3: The Civil Rights Movement

Prompt : Analyze the impact of the Civil Rights Movement.

Thesis : The Civil Rights Movement significantly advanced racial equality through legal victories, social activism, and cultural change.

• A court ruling on school desegregation.
• A speech by Martin Luther King Jr.
• A newspaper article on the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Essay : The Civil Rights Movement significantly advanced racial equality through legal victories, social activism, and cultural change. Legal victories, such as landmark court rulings, dismantled institutional racism. Document 1, a court ruling on school desegregation, highlights the legal strides made toward equality. Social activism, including protests and marches, raised public awareness.

Document 2, a speech by Martin Luther King Jr., exemplifies the powerful rhetoric that mobilized masses and brought attention to civil rights issues. Cultural change, driven by influential figures and media, shifted societal attitudes.

Document 3, a newspaper article on the Montgomery Bus Boycott, shows the impact of collective action on public transportation policies and societal views on segregation.

In conclusion, the Civil Rights Movement was instrumental in advancing racial equality through a combination of legal victories, social activism, and cultural change. These elements collectively helped dismantle systemic racism and promote greater social justice in America.

Example 4: Industrial Revolution

Prompt : Analyze the effects of the Industrial Revolution on European society.

Thesis : The Industrial Revolution significantly transformed European society by altering economic structures, social hierarchies, and urban landscapes.

• An excerpt from a factory worker’s diary.
• A government report on urbanization.
• A political cartoon depicting child labor.

Essay : The Industrial Revolution significantly transformed European society by altering economic structures, social hierarchies, and urban landscapes. The new economic structures, driven by industrialization, created a shift from agrarian economies to industrial economies.

Document 1, an excerpt from a factory worker’s diary, highlights the grueling conditions and long hours faced by industrial workers, reflecting the changing labor dynamics. Social hierarchies were also impacted, with a growing middle class and a widening gap between the rich and poor.

Document 2, a government report on urbanization, details the rapid growth of cities and the emergence of new social classes. Urban landscapes were drastically changed as factories and tenements replaced rural areas. Document 3, a political cartoon depicting child labor, underscores the social issues and urban challenges brought about by industrialization.

In conclusion, the Industrial Revolution reshaped European society through significant changes in economic structures, social hierarchies, and urban environments.

Example 5: The Cold War

Prompt : Evaluate the causes and effects of the Cold War on global politics.

Thesis : The Cold War, driven by ideological conflicts and power struggles, had profound effects on global politics by shaping international alliances, fostering proxy wars, and influencing domestic policies.

• A speech by Winston Churchill on the Iron Curtain.
• A CIA report on Soviet activities in Latin America.
• A newspaper article on the Vietnam War.

Essay : The Cold War, driven by ideological conflicts and power struggles, had profound effects on global politics by shaping international alliances, fostering proxy wars, and influencing domestic policies. Ideological conflicts between capitalism and communism created a deep divide between the United States and the Soviet Union. Document 1, a speech by Winston Churchill on the Iron Curtain, illustrates the ideological divide and the emerging tension between East and West.

These ideological battles led to the formation of international alliances, such as NATO and the Warsaw Pact, which defined global politics for decades. Document 2, a CIA report on Soviet activities in Latin America, highlights the extent of Cold War influence in regional politics and the strategy of supporting proxy wars. The Vietnam War, as shown in Document 3, a newspaper article, reflects the Cold War’s impact on domestic policies and the significant toll it took on both superpowers involved.

In conclusion, the Cold War reshaped global politics through its ideological battles, formation of alliances, and influence on both international and domestic spheres.

DBQ Templates You Can Use Today

You can copy and paste these DBQ templates to start writing your assignment today.

Template 1: Causes of a Historical Event

Prompt : Analyze the causes of [Historical Event].

Thesis : [Historical Event] was driven by [Cause 1], [Cause 2], and [Cause 3].

• A [type of document] from [perspective].
• An excerpt from a [type of document].

Essay : [Historical Event], driven by [Cause 1], [Cause 2], and [Cause 3], marked a pivotal moment in history. [Cause 1], exemplified by [specific example], sparked [reaction]. Document 1, a [type of document] from [perspective], highlights [aspect of Cause 1]. [Cause 2], highlighted by [specific example], led to [reaction]. Document 2, a [type of document] from [perspective], underscores [aspect of Cause 2]. [Cause 3], driven by [specific example], encouraged [reaction]. Document 3, an excerpt from a [type of document], reflects [aspect of Cause 3]. In conclusion, [Historical Event] was a multifaceted event driven by [Cause 1], [Cause 2], and [Cause 3].

Template 2: Impact of a Social Movement

Prompt : Analyze the impact of [Social Movement].

Thesis : [Social Movement] significantly advanced [Goal] through [Method 1], [Method 2], and [Method 3].

• A [type of document] on [Method 1].
• A [type of document] on [Method 2].
• An excerpt from a [type of document] on [Method 3].

Essay : [Social Movement] significantly advanced [Goal] through [Method 1], [Method 2], and [Method 3]. [Method 1], such as [specific example], achieved [result]. Document 1, a [type of document] on [Method 1], illustrates [aspect of Method 1]. [Method 2], including [specific example], led to [result]. Document 2, a [type of document] on [Method 2], underscores [aspect of Method 2]. [Method 3], driven by [specific example], shifted [aspect]. Document 3, an excerpt from a [type of document] on [Method 3], highlights [aspect of Method 3]. In conclusion, [Social Movement] was instrumental in advancing [Goal] through [Method 1], [Method 2], and [Method 3].

Template 3: Comparing Historical Periods

Prompt : Compare and contrast the impacts of [Period 1] and [Period 2] on [Aspect of Society].

Thesis : Both [Period 1] and [Period 2] significantly impacted [Aspect of Society], but they did so in different ways through [Factor 1], [Factor 2], and [Factor 3].

• A [type of document] from [Period 1] on [Factor 1].
• A [type of document] from [Period 2] on [Factor 1].
• An excerpt from [Period 1] on [Factor 2].
• An excerpt from [Period 2] on [Factor 2].
• A [type of document] from [Period 1] on [Factor 3].
• A [type of document] from [Period 2] on [Factor 3].

Essay : Both [Period 1] and [Period 2] significantly impacted [Aspect of Society], but they did so in different ways through [Factor 1], [Factor 2], and [Factor 3]. [Factor 1] in [Period 1] led to [outcome]. Document 1, a [type of document] from [Period 1], highlights [aspect of Factor 1]. Conversely, [Factor 1] in [Period 2] resulted in [different outcome]. Document 2, a [type of document] from [Period 2], reflects [aspect of Factor 1]. Similarly, [Factor 2] affected [Aspect of Society] differently in each period. Document 3, an excerpt from [Period 1], shows [aspect of Factor 2], while Document 4, an excerpt from [Period 2], illustrates [different aspect of Factor 2].

Lastly, [Factor 3] in [Period 1] had [impact], as shown in Document 5, while [Factor 3] in [Period 2] had [another impact], as evidenced by Document 6. In conclusion, [Period 1] and [Period 2] both significantly influenced [Aspect of Society], but through different factors and outcomes.

Template 4: Evaluating Historical Policies

Prompt : Evaluate the effectiveness of [Policy] in achieving its goals.

Thesis : [Policy] was [effective/ineffective] in achieving its goals due to [Reason 1], [Reason 2], and [Reason 3].

• A government report on [Policy].
• A public opinion survey on [Policy].
• An excerpt from a speech by a [Policy] advocate.
• An excerpt from a critique by a [Policy] opponent.
• A statistical analysis of [Policy]’s outcomes.
• A newspaper article on [Policy]’s impact.

Essay : [Policy] was [effective/ineffective] in achieving its goals due to [Reason 1], [Reason 2], and [Reason 3]. [Reason 1] is illustrated by Document 1, a government report detailing [aspect of Policy]. Public opinion also reflects [Reason 1], as shown in Document 2, a public opinion survey. [Reason 2] is supported by Document 3, an excerpt from a speech by a [Policy] advocate, and Document 4, an excerpt from a critique by a [Policy] opponent. Both documents highlight differing perspectives on [Policy]. Document 5, a statistical analysis, provides evidence of [Reason 3], showing [data related to Policy’s outcomes].

Finally, Document 6, a newspaper article, discusses the broader impact of [Policy], reinforcing [Reason 3]. In conclusion, [Policy] was [effective/ineffective] due to [Reason 1], [Reason 2], and [Reason 3].

Final Thoughts: How to Write a DBQ

Think of writing a DBQ as a journey through time.

You’re not just analyzing documents; you’re stepping into the shoes of historical figures, experiencing their world, and understanding their challenges. Each essay is an opportunity to bring history to life. Make your readers feel like they’ve traveled back in time with you.

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• How to Write a DBQ

How to Write a DBQ Essay: A Comprehensive Guide

By: Angelina Grin

Before writing a DBQ essay, you should first know what a DBQ essay is.

DBQ is the short form for Document-Based Question. The report type shows up most frequently in social studies and US history (AP history) classes.

The structure of a DBQ essay is similar, regardless of the subject that the student is studying. In all cases, the candidate is provided with source information. Candidates then extract data from these source documents and incorporate them into the report.

Now that you understand what is a DBQ essay, the next step is to plan and write one. These essays typically cover much relevant information that students need to truly grasp a subject.

Exploring the DBQ Format

Preparing to write a dbq essay, step 1: structuring your dbq essay, step 2: crafting a strong thesis statement, step 3: building the body paragraphs, step 4: delivering a convincing conclusion.

The Document-Based Question format explains what you'll likely write in this report. Document-based suggests that you will be provided with one or more relevant documents. This tests your knowledge of research and information-gathering methods. Within the source papers will be information either couched in prose or given in statistics or graphs.

Your first job is understanding the document before you start writing on it. Since this is based on the record in front of you, it might be tempting to think you only need to understand that piece of text or graphics. However, the DBQ format goes deeper. The questions that the format asks rely on both internal and external knowledge to perform well. Using information within the presented report or except will only get you half the points.

Additionally, a question many students ask is, "How long should a DBQ be?" The length of the report will vary, depending on the subject and the requirements of the college board, but students should generally aim for three to four body paragraphs, along with an introduction and a conclusion. For an AP-level history exam, this translates to 700 - 1000 words or thereabouts.

When composing an essay in response to a Document-Based Question, the emphasis should be placed on the quality of the material presented rather than the word count.

DBQ essays are unique among report type questions because they test deep knowledge of a subject and expect complex answers. If you're wondering how to write a good DBQ essay, it starts with the planning phases. These are the things a student should do primarily:

• Read the Question Carefully: Many students start answering the question long before they finish reading it. Sometimes, this can lead to a fatal flaw, as the students answer a question that the exam doesn't ask.
• Familiarize Yourself with the Documents: The report is based on the document, so knowing what it contains will help you grasp what direction your thinking should go in. Spend enough time reading and interpreting the papers so you know what you're looking at.
• Note-Taking Strategies: When going through the document, you should take notes of important quotes or information you can reference with your external knowledge. Especially important are words, phrases, and cues that help you place the document writer's inherent bias.

In summary, as a person taking a DBQ, these are the things you should focus on:

How to Write a DBQ Essay in 4 Easy Steps

If you're tasked with writing a DBQ essay, you might feel overwhelmed, but it's not the most challenging thing in the world. DBQ structure has a well-defined layout, so following the structure and giving the report your own personal style is exactly what you're aiming for.

From there, you'll need a thesis statement, which you'll craft your body paragraphs to defend and present.

Finally, your convincing conclusion is the flourish that sets everything alight. Following this is supposed to give you a really good final report. Let's start with the first step, which is structuring your report.

The main aim of a DBQ essay is to convey your thoughts about a document to someone who wants to know what you think. It follows the standard structure of an article, with an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. However, how to structure a DBQ essay that will stand out is unique to this type of report. The structure should be along these lines:

• Introduction: Provide the historical context of the topic and intro the main question. State your thesis clearly in the opening, addressing the prompt and indicating the main points your report will cover.
• Document Analysis: Incorporate relevant information from the provided documents into your paragraphs. Analyze each document, highlighting key details and explaining how they support your argument. Define the necessary evidence you need.
• Outside Evidence: Integrate your broader historical ideas into the report using external sources. Use this external evidence to enhance your argument and provide context for the documents.
• Counterarguments: Acknowledge potential counterarguments and address them within your report. This showcases your critical thinking skills and strengthens your argument.
• Conclusion: Summarize the main points of your report and restate your thesis when you conclude. Offer a final analysis that underscores the significance of your argument and its implications for understanding the historical evidence and context.

Once you've sorted your structure out, we'll move on to building a solid thesis statement .

The thesis statement forms the core of your thought process and arguments within your report and is how to start a DBQ essay the right way. Some would consider it the most critical part of the report.

To build a great thesis, look at these points:

• Engage with the Prompt: Carefully read the question and identify its central theme or question.
• Formulate a Response: Craft a concise response addressing the prompt's requirements. This should guide the direction of your report.
• Outline Main Points: Outline the main points you'll address in your report. These points will guide your argument and document analysis.
• Clear and Specific: Ensure your thesis is clear, specific, and not overly broad. Avoid vague statements that don't directly relate to the prompt.

You can look at an example DBQ thesis to learn more about how these theses are developed. With a few examples, you should know how crafting a DBQ process works.

You could consider each body paragraph a slice of the larger DBQ essay. These paragraphs should fall into the categories that your plan deals with. In each paragraph, the process of building out your prose goes as follows:

• Topic Sentence: Begin each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that introduces the paragraph's main point.
• Document Integration: Reference relevant documents that support your argument. Provide specific examples or quotes from the paper.
• Analysis: Analyze the documents you've cited. Explain how each document's content, context, or perspective relates to your argument.
• Connection to Thesis: Always connect the information in the paragraph back to your thesis and the central question of the prompt.

The body should read well, and each paragraph should connect to the thesis statement.

Conclusions might seem like the easiest thing to write, but they are more than just a summary of your points. Your DBQ conclusion should do these four things:

• Summarize: Recap the main points of your report without introducing new information.
• Restate Thesis: Restate your thesis to remind the reader of your central argument.
• Final Analysis: Provide a definitive analysis of your argument's significance in the context of the prompt and historical understanding.
• Avoid Repetition: While restating key points, avoid repeating the exact phrases used in the introduction and body paragraphs.

Each provides much-needed closure to the report while still focusing on your thesis statement and valid points.

Polishing your DBQ Essay

If you think you're finished once the first draft of your essay has been written, nothing could be further from the truth. Unpolished document-based essays can lead to students losing a grade they worked hard to get. You should look at these methods to properly polish your DBQ essay:

➡️ Reviewing and Revising

Go through your report and search for consistency in tone and terminology. Also, ensure that your writing flows between paragraphs, making it much easier to read. Check your body paragraphs and ensure that they call back to your thesis. Revisit the document, and check that you didn't miss any references or cues that might be useful in the report. Finally, recheck your external evidence so that your presentation is factual and honest in its representation.

➡️ Proofreading Tips

Read the words carefully as you go through your report. You're looking for errors in spelling and grammar. Bad spelling and grammar could undermine an otherwise well-argued point. Ensure your sentence structure is grammatically sound (and that subjects and verbs agree). Check for punctuation issues that might change the meaning of your sentences. Finally, check the flow state of your sentences and paragraphs to make it easy for the reader to shift from one to the other.

➡️ Getting Feedback

If you're working on a DBQ outside of an exam setting, for a project submission, having someone else to look over your work is crucial to perfecting your essay. Ask someone in your class (or a recent graduate) to give it a once-over for you. If your lecturer has an open-door policy, use it to get feedback on your report and suggestions for what you should change. Finally, pay attention to the feedback you get. You don't need to implement all of it, but you should at least give it an honest hearing.

DBQ Example Essays

If you need some DBQ essay examples, there are many on the Studybay site for you to peruse. Pay particular attention to the details we covered in the previous section. Look at the example of a DBQ essay to understand how they were developed and written. It will provide a template for your own work.

DBQ Tips: Dos and Don'ts of Writing a DBQ Essay

When examining how to write DBQs , there are some things you should do and some you should avoid. Let's look at some of them.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

❌ Lack of a Clear Thesis: Avoid writing a thesis statement that's overly broad or vague. Try to make your thesis as succinct as possible.

❌ Ignoring Document Details: Many students don't delve into the documents but instead summarize them. DBQ essays require more in-depth consideration of the material.

❌ Misusing Outside Evidence: Integrate outside knowledge wisely. Ensure it supports your argument and is relevant to the topic.

❌ Disorganization: Avoid disorganized paragraphs. Use clear topic sentences and maintain a logical flow and organize your report.

Best Practices in DBQ Writing

✍️ There are some best practices for how to write a DBQ thesis that you should pay attention to. Among these are:

✅ Read the Question Three Times: Don't progress anywhere until you've read and internalized the question three times to avoid misremembering what you read.

✅ Figure out the Task: Circle the main words or key phrases to guide you toward crafting a proper answer.

✅ Ask the "What" Question: What is the purpose of this report, and what do you have to prove with your evidence? This will guide your report structure.

✅ Look at Issues to Be Included: These issues include economic, political, and social issues that may shape the question and period.

✅ Gather Outside Information: Make a shortlist of outside information you will need to argue your report.

✅ Closely Examine the Documents: Underline or highlight thematic keywords and phrases you might need to use later on in your report.

Following these practices will give you better results for your report.

Writing a DBQ: Time Management Skills

How to write a DBQ APUSH in the shortest time possible? In an exam setting, you should pay attention to this rough guide for managing your report time:

• Step 1: Develop a Plan (15 minutes)
• Step 2: Write your introduction (5 minutes)
• Step 3: Craft your thesis (20 minutes)
• Step 4: Develop your Body (2 hours and 15 minutes)
• Step 5: Conclusion (10 minutes)
• Step 6: Proofreading and review (10 minutes)

Practice Makes Perfect

As with most academic disciplines, practicing your DBQ essay skills will help. On Studybay, you can simply locate an example of a DBQ question that you can use as a foundation for testing yourself or obtain expert support for test preparation .

Tracking Your Progress

When you first start, writing one of these reports will be very time-consuming, but with practice, they get a lot easier to deal with. Track your progress through time-based means (how long it takes you to complete a report) and the APUSH DBQ Rubric score.

Understand the APUSH DBQ Rubric

A DBQ example essay will have a score based on the APUSH DBQ Rubric. Below is a general outline of how the Rubric works.

What is the importance of a DBQ?

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How to Write a DBQ Essay for APUSH

The Document Based Question (DBQ) essay is a key feature of the APUSH exam. And at 25% of your total score, it’s an important feature! Keep reading and you will get some great tips on how to write a DBQ for the APUSH exam.

What is a DBQ essay?

As I stated in a previous post on what the APUSH exam is all about , the goal of the exam is to test your historical thinking skills. Historians write arguments based on documents, and for this exam, you will, too.

For a DBQ essay, you will receive several documents of varying length. You will be asked to respond to some historical prompt that will require you to use the documents as evidence in your response. The great thing about a DBQ is that a lot of information you need to answer the question is in the documents themselves – score! However, you do need to have some background knowledge to make sense of the documents (we will practice this later in the post). The documents could be tables, charts, personal letters, or any other source that the exam creators believe would help you answer the question. Generally speaking, the documents will represent multiple perspectives on one topic.

It will be your job to synthesize those various perspectives into a coherent response.

Let’s walk through a sample DBQ topic for the APUSH exam.

Before we get too far into this, it’s important that you note that College Board, the organization that writes the APUSH exam, has made some major changes starting in 2015. I will be taking you through the 2015 sample the College Board provided for students to practice, but, as you will see in a second, it’s important that you practice as much as possible in order to read the documents quickly. Just make a note that the format may be slightly different if you review an exam prior to 2015.

Let’s say that you come across this prompt for a DBQ question:

Compare and contrast views of United States overseas expansion in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Evaluate how understandings of national identity, at the time, shaped these views.

Before you Read

You have 7 documents to read in the suggested time of 15 minutes. How is that even possible?!

Well, no one ever said it was going to be easy. But it is possible. When you get that prompt, or any other DBQ prompt like it, what you do before you read the documents will be just as important as what you end up writing. Before you even read the content of the documents, you should:

• Recall what you know about the time period.
• Read the source information for each document.
• Recognize the possible opinions that could be compared and contrasted.

Let’s dig into each of those steps.

1. Recall what you know

This DBQ is interested in U.S. overseas expansion in the late 19th and early 20th century. What do you know about U.S. overseas expansion during that time period? Perhaps you remember something about the Spanish-American War of 1898, which falls into our time period. Perhaps you remember that the U.S. got some territory as a result of that war. Even if you can’t remember exactly what territory, this puts you in a much better position to get started.

2. Read the source information

Take these two documents below as an example.

Before I read the document, I see that Jane Addams titled her speech “Democracy or Militarism.” Based on the title alone, I can begin to make some inferences that this document is not likely to be positive about any overseas expansion that would most certainly require military force.

Before I even read this document, I can see that William Jennings Bryan is campaigning for the presidency. However, I cannot recall there ever being a President Bryan, meaning that he was unsuccessful in his campaign. Perhaps what he was saying was not popular enough to get enough votes.

These inferences help me make sense of the document later on.

3. Recognize possible opinions

Again, before I read the documents closely, I recognize that this is a compare/contrast question. Before I even read this document, I’m going to make the following table so that I can group documents later on.

This table will help me more easily write my essay.

I know that your instinct will be to see the clock and think, OH MY GOSH, I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO BE DOING ALL THIS PREP WORK, MS. BERRY!!!!

Fight that instinct, because these steps will help you write a more coherent essay.

While you read

This part is tough. You have quite a few documents to make sense of in a short amount of time. But, as you are reading as fast as you can, you should be actively annotating the document for the following:

• Words, phrases, and/or visual cues that help you place the document into a group that helps you answer the question .
• Words, phrases, and/or visual cues that help you activate background knowledge .
• Words, phrases, and/or visual cues that help you understand the document’s bias .

You will have to practice this multiple times to get good at it; there’s really no way around that. But you have a plan of attack. So work your plan to make your plan work!

As you write

When you are writing your DBQ, use the five paragraph essay to your advantage. I am sure you know lots of other things that could turn this answer into a novel, but the most important thing for this task is to make sure that you get enough of your ideas on the page so that your APUSH exam scorer knows that you know.

• First paragraph: introduction with a thesis statement
• Second paragraph: documents FOR expansion (As you write, make sure to mention who is for expansion and compare/contrast that with who is against it.)
• Third paragraph: documents AGAINST expansion (As you write, make sure to mention who is against expansion and compare/contrast that with who is for it.)
• Fourth paragraph: documents with ambiguity or complicated arguments (You should compare these documents to BOTH groups.)
• Fifth paragraph: Conclusion that reiterates your argument

You may be thinking, why do I need that fourth paragraph? That seems needlessly complicated, to look for documents that are complicated.

Well, you are trying to score well on this DBQ, right? (Remember: it’s 25% of your overall score!)

You get a point for being able to do the following:

“Develop and support a cohesive argument that recognizes and accounts for historical complexity by explicitly illustrating relationships among historical evidence such as contradiction, corroboration, and/or qualification.” AP Scoring Guide

You will want that point!

I’ve given you a lot of information; but this information will become more like second nature the more you practice! For a summary, look at the table below.

And happy studying!

In summary: Strategies for writing the DBQ Essay

Allena Berry loves history; that should be known upfront. She loves it so much that she not only taught high school history and psychology after receiving her Master’s degree at Stanford University, she is now studying how students learn history at Northwestern. That being said, she does not have a favorite historical time period (so don’t bother asking). In addition to history, she enjoys writing, practicing yoga, and scouring Craigslist for her next DIY project or midcentury modern piece of furniture.

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The Expert’s Guide on How to Write a DBQ like a pro

Are you preparing for your AP history exam? Writing a Document-Based Question (DBQ) involves analyzing historical documents and crafting an essay that responds to a specific prompt or question.

It first got introduced in the 1973 AP United States history exam and from then it keeps on evaluating student’s knowledge and potential in May every year.

Working on such an assignment gets very challenging, especially for students who are not fully aware of the requirements of this academic activity. That’s why we have shared this guide to simplify things in the process of how to write a dbq essay.

Table of Contents

Who Needs To Know About the DBQ Essay Guide?

Students that are preparing for the AP History exam are in dire need to learn about the DBQ essay. The most challenging part about this exam is the limited time and the number of materials given to analyze.That’s why it’s important to know about the possible problem that one might encounter while writing DBQ essays.

Why is the DBQ Essay Important?

DBQ essays are an important part of the American AP history exam. They are usually conducted to evaluate the knowledge of students regarding their subject. Another purpose of this essay is to evaluate the critical analysis, problem solving, and time management skills.

Passing the AP history exam is very important for being a professional historian. They are important to judge the knowledge level and the point of view of a student over history.

The author writing this comprehensive guide shared, “I was always interested in history but it got very challenging when I prepared for my AP history exam. The DBQ essay took the most of my time in analyzing the materials and organizing my thoughts and then actually writing them down with complete accuracy.

It took a lot of time to learn how to write a dbq essay and to manage my time but I made it with constant practice. I faced many problems and that’s why I compiled the easy steps to save students from struggling later.”

Common Problems Students Encounter While Writing a DBQ

• Misreading the question might cause you to give an answer that isn’t relevant.
• Difficulty in comprehending and analyzing provided documents affects argument construction.
• Figuring out how to assemble arguments using documents and extra info can be tricky.
• Developing a weak outline for DBQ that lacks content flow.
• Crafting a clear thesis that incorporates documents and addresses the prompt can be tough.
• Picking out evidence from documents and other sources and using it in the right way is really important.
• Figuring out how to write a dbq and juggle analyzing, planning, and getting your writing done before the deadline can be stressful.

Scoring Trends Of AP US History Exam

Let’s take a look at the scoring trends of the past five years by a US History to see how passing DBQ is becoming more challenging.

From these above mentioned statistics, we can see the passing percentage is decreasing every year. It peaked only during the 2020 pandemic and the reason was the online testing which is quite easier than traditional testing.

Not more students are passing the AP exam and that’s why we need to revise how to write a dbq essay.

How To Prepare For APUSH?

Following are some resources that are going to be helpful to know more about how to write a DBQ essay and pass APUSH exams. 

Steps to Write a Perfect DBQ

We have discussed a detailed breakdown of the steps below, to help you encounter the challenges effectively.

Get a Good Understanding of the Prompt

Thoroughly Read the Prompt:  For your essay, you need to figure out the time period, the background history, and the exact question you’re trying to answer. Read the dbq essay template to get a clear idea.

Example Prompt:

“Evaluate the impact of World War II on women’s roles in the workforce in the United States. Analyze at least five documents and your knowledge of the time period to develop your argument.”

• Understanding the Prompt
• Identify Key Elements

Historical Context:  World War II in the United States.

Time Frame:  The period during and immediately after World War II.

Specific Task/Question:  Evaluate the impact of the war on women’s roles in the workforce.

• Breakdown of the Prompt

Topic:  Impact of World War II.

Focus:  Women’s roles in the workforce.

Requirement:  The most important step of how to write a dbq is toanalyze a minimum of five documents and incorporate outside knowledge of the time.

Task Verb:  “Evaluate,” meaning assess or judge the impact.

• Understanding the Scope

Think about how the war changed women’s roles in the workforce – not the war’s wider implications or other elements.

• Developing the Approach

Documents and Outside Knowledge:  You should take information from at least five of the given documents and combine it with your own understanding of the period. To understand the content approach, read the dbq sentence starters in the paragraphs.

Analytical Perspective:  The emphasis is on evaluating and analyzing the impact, which requires critical thinking and interpretation of the sources.

Application to Writing

For this essay, it’s essential to get a handle on women’s roles in the workforce during World War II. Breaking down the documents should focus on how they show changes, difficulties, or changes in women’s jobs during that time.

For example, there could be government materials advocating for female workers, numbers on how many women are employed, stories from ladies about what it’s like to work in a factory, or pieces discussing people’s opinions of women joining jobs that are usually held by guys.

Analyze the Documents

Struggling with the process of how to write a dbq? uplift your analysis process. Interact with the given sources, taking into account their background, who wrote them, who they were intended for, and their importance in history. Sort them into categories based on shared themes, points of view, or arguments.

Example Documents:

Document 1:

Type:  Government propaganda poster encouraging women to work in factories during WWII.

Context:  Produced in 1943 by the U.S. government to address labor shortages.

Authorship:  Created by a government agency.

Intended Audience:  Targeted at women to persuade them to join the workforce.

Historical Significance:  Illustrates the government’s efforts to mobilize women for wartime production, portraying them as patriotic contributors to the war effort.

Document 2:

Type:  Newspaper article published in 1945 discussing post-war employment trends.

Context:  Written towards the end of WWII.

Authorship:  Written by a journalist for a mainstream newspaper.

Intended Audience:  General readership interested in post-war developments.

Historical Significance:  Provides insights into societal expectations regarding women’s roles post-war and reflects on potential changes in employment patterns.

Document 3:

Type:  Personal diary entry from a female factory worker in 1942.

Context:  Written during the peak of wartime production.

Authorship:  Authored by an anonymous factory worker.

Intended Audience:  Intended for personal reflection, not public consumption.

Historical Significance:  Offers a firsthand account of the challenges and experiences of a woman in the wartime workforce, capturing the emotional and practical aspects.

Analyzing the Documents

• Understanding Context, Authorship, and Audience

Contextual Relevance:  To understand how to write a dbq essay, It’s really important to know where the documents come from and how long they’ve been around for to get the full picture of their importance with regards to World War II.

Authorship Impact:  By figuring out who wrote the document, whether it’s from a government agency, a reporter, or an individual, it can help you understand if there might be any underlying bias or purpose.

Audience Influence:  Figuring out who the document is meant for gives you an idea of what it’s trying to say and why.

• Categorizing Based on Themes or Perspectives

Common Themes:  Look for any similarities among the documents. They could be patriotism, societal expectations, or the difficulties women face in the workplace.

Perspectives:  Organize documents that have different or similar points of view. For instance, government-issued material and people’s personal stories might provide different outlooks on women working during wartime.

How to Apply this Step

In the essay, these documents would be analyzed based on their unique contexts, biases, and perspectives. Government propaganda might highlight the state’s efforts to mobilize women, while personal diaries could reveal the emotional toll or day-to-day realities of working women.

Organizing documents by similar topics or points of view makes it easier to study them. For example, if you put together papers that talk about how women’s roles were seen after World War II, it could help you form ideas about how standards shifted.

Develop a Thesis Statement

Formulate a Clear Thesis:  To eliminate most problems regarding how to write a dbq, create a brief thesis statement that answers the question asked and outlines what your essay will be about.

Coming up with a good thesis statement is really important for a DBQ essay. To help illustrate this, let’s check out an example based on a prompt about how World War II changed women’s roles in the US.

Example Prompt

Developing a Thesis Statement

Key Focus:  Impact of WWII on women’s workforce roles.

Specific Task:  Evaluate and analyze using provided documents and additional knowledge.

• Crafting a Thesis

Sample Thesis Statement:  “World War II significantly transformed women’s roles in the American workforce by catalyzing increased participation, altering societal perceptions, and setting the stage for long-term economic and social changes.”

• Breaking Down the Thesis

Clear Response:  The thesis directly addresses the prompt by acknowledging the transformative impact of WWII on women’s roles.

Three Key Arguments:

Increased Participation:  Highlighting the rise in women joining the workforce during the war.

Societal Perceptions:  Discussion on how perceptions of women’s capabilities shifted due to their wartime contributions.

Long-Term Impact:  Indicating that these changes extended beyond the war, affecting the economy and society.

• Evidence and Analysis

Supported by Documents:  The process of how to write a dbq strengths when the thesis aligns with the analysis of the provided documents. For example, government propaganda may support increased participation, while personal accounts could reveal societal shifts.

Room for Analysis:  It sets the stage for in-depth analysis in body paragraphs, allowing examination of specific document evidence to support each argument.

You can take help of the  thesis statement generator  if you need to.

This Step Application in Writing

In the essay, each body paragraph would focus on one aspect mentioned in the thesis. For instance:

Paragraph 1:  Analyzes how women’s participation in the workforce increased during WWII using specific document evidence.

Paragraph 2:  Explores societal perceptions through various document perspectives and contextualizes these changes.

Paragraph 3:  Discusses the long-term impact, drawing connections between wartime changes and post-war societal shifts using a blend of document evidence and external knowledge.

Structure Your Essay

Organize your Thoughts:  improve how to write a dbq process by creating an outline that includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Introduction:  Set the context, present your thesis, and briefly outline the main points you’ll address. It’s an important section and you need to be careful while writing it. Don’t use  English phrase that make no sense  at all.

Body Paragraphs:  Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect supported by evidence from the documents. Use topic sentences, evidence, and analysis to support your argument.

Conclusion:  Summarize your main points, restate your thesis, and provide a broader historical context or implications of your argument.

Let’s create an outline for a DBQ essay based on the prompt about World War II’s impact on women’s roles in the American workforce:

Develop Outline for DBQ Essay

Here are complete details on the dbq structure or dbq outline:

• Introduction:

Context Setting:  Discuss the historical background of women’s roles pre-WWII and the societal norms regarding women in the workforce in specific DBQ body paragraph example and arrangement.

Thesis Statement:  Introduce the thesis that highlights the transformative impact of WWII on women’s roles in the American workforce.

Preview of Main Points:  Briefly outline the main arguments that will be explored in the body paragraphs. This practice will strengthen how to write a dbq essay process.

• Body Paragraphs:
• Increased Participation:

Topic Sentence:  Women’s increased participation in the workforce during WWII was a notable shift in societal norms.

Document Evidence:  Reference specific documents, like government propaganda or statistical data, showcasing the rise in female employment.

Analysis:  Discuss the significance of this increase, its implications, and its portrayal in the provided documents.

• Societal Perceptions and Changes:

Topic Sentence:  The war prompted a shift in societal perceptions about women’s capabilities in the workplace.

Document Evidence:  Utilize personal accounts or editorials from the provided sources reflecting changing attitudes towards women in traditionally male-dominated roles.

Analysis:  Examine the evolution of societal views depicted in the documents and analyze their historical significance.

• Long-Term Impacts Beyond the War:

Topic Sentence:  The changes initiated during WWII had lasting effects on the role of women in the post-war American workforce.

Document Evidence:  Extract examples from documents discussing post-war employment trends or societal adaptations.

Analysis:  Explore how the changes during the war era influenced the trajectory of women’s employment and societal roles in the subsequent years.

• Conclusion:

Summarize Main Points:  The best trick you can learn for how to write a DBQ Recap the key arguments presented in the body paragraphs, emphasizing their significance. The DBQ sentence starters should be used to compel the audience.

Restate Thesis:  Reinforce the thesis statement while demonstrating how it’s supported by the evidence analyzed.

Broader Historical Context:  Provide a brief discussion on the broader implications of these changes, connecting them to larger historical trends or societal impacts beyond the scope of the prompt.

Application of this Step

This dbq outline or structure ensures a well-organized essay that adheres to the prompt’s requirements.

Each dbq body paragraph example information focuses on a specific aspect of the thesis, supported by evidence from the provided documents and followed by insightful analysis.

The conclusion summarizes the key points while expanding on the broader implications of the arguments presented.

Interesting Note

Many students hire a professional  thesis writing service  provider just to make them an outline for their DBQ essay.

Use Evidence from the Documents

Cite Document Evidence:  If you want to add credibility in how to write a dbq essay process, incorporate specific examples and quotes from the provided documents to support your arguments.

Analyze the Documents:  Offer critical analysis of the documents, explaining how they support or contradict your thesis.

Let’s explore how to use evidence from documents and analyze them within the context of a DBQ essay about the impact of World War II on women’s roles in the American workforce:

Incorporating Document Evidence:

Document 1:  Government Propaganda Poster

“Join the Women’s Land Army – Help Farmers Win the War!”

Incorporating Evidence:  The poster portrays women as vital contributors to the war effort by encouraging them to join agricultural work.

“Rosie the Riveter” by J. Howard Miller (1942)

Incorporating Evidence:  The iconic “Rosie” poster symbolizes women’s participation in industrial work, urging them to take up factory jobs.

Document 2:  Newspaper Article from 1945

“Post-War Employment Trends: Women Expected to Return to Domestic Roles”

Incorporating Evidence:  The article reflects societal expectations, predicting a return of women to traditional domestic roles post-war.

Document 3:  Personal Diary Entry from a Factory Worker (1942)

“Today was exhausting. Worked 12 hours at the factory. Proud to contribute, but worried about balancing home and work responsibilities.”

Incorporating Evidence: The diary entry provides a personal perspective, revealing the challenges and pride associated with working in the wartime industry.

Analyzing Document Evidence

Analyzing Document 1 – Government Propaganda Poster

• Support for Thesis:  The poster supports the thesis by illustrating the government’s effort to mobilize women into various sectors of the economy during wartime.

Contradictions:  It might contradict the societal norms of women’s roles as homemakers, highlighting a shift in perceptions.

• Analyzing Document 2 – Newspaper Article

Support for Thesis:  The article aligns with the thesis by depicting societal expectations of women returning to traditional roles, showcasing the societal pressures women faced post-war.

Challenge to Thesis:  However, it might challenge the notion of a long-term impact by suggesting a potential regression in women’s roles.

• Analyzing Document 3 – Personal Diary Entry

Support for Thesis:  The diary entry corroborates the thesis by portraying the challenges faced by women in balancing work and home responsibilities during the war.

Emotional Impact:  It adds a human element, illustrating the emotional toll of working women during the wartime period.

How Can We Apply This One

In the essay, incorporating evidence involves seamlessly integrating specific examples from the documents into each body paragraph. For instance:

Paragraph on Increased Participation:  Reference the “Rosie the Riveter” poster to illustrate the government’s push for women’s involvement in industrial jobs.

Paragraph on Societal Perceptions:  Cite the newspaper article to depict societal expectations that contradicted women’s sustained participation in the workforce.

Paragraph on Long-Term Impacts:  Utilize the diary entry to showcase the personal struggles faced by working women and its implications for their roles post-war.

Contextualize

Provide Historical Context:  To uplift how to write a dbq process,integrate broader historical context beyond the provided documents to strengthen your argument and showcase a deeper understanding of the topic.

In a DBQ essay about the impact of World War II on women’s roles in the American workforce, integrating a broader historical context beyond the provided documents is crucial to offer a comprehensive understanding and strengthen the argument.

Contextualizing Historical Background

• Pre-WWII Women’s Roles

Traditional Gender Roles:  Pre-war society primarily depicted women as homemakers, limited to domestic responsibilities.

Limited Work Opportunities:  Women had limited access to professional jobs and were often confined to specific roles, such as teaching or nursing.

• The Impact of World War II on Society

Shift in Labor Dynamics:  The war created labor shortages, prompting industries to recruit women to fill positions traditionally held by men.

Rise of Propaganda:  Government campaigns like “Rosie the Riveter” aimed to mobilize women into industrial and agricultural sectors to support the war effort.

• Societal Changes Post-War

Expectations vs. Reality:  Post-war, societal expectations often pressured women to return to traditional roles despite their proven capabilities during the war.

Long-Term Impacts:  Despite the post-war societal pressure, women’s increased participation in the workforce during WWII set the stage for gradual changes in societal perceptions and employment opportunities for women.

Integration into Writing

How to write a dbq with high credibility? By incorporating this broader historical context into the essay strengthens the argument by providing a more comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing women’s roles during and after WWII.

Introduction:  Briefly touch upon the pre-war societal norms regarding women’s roles to set the stage for discussing the revolutionary changes brought about by WWII.

Body Paragraphs:  Use the historical context to explain the significance of the wartime changes in contrast to pre-war expectations. For instance, contrast the limited opportunities for women before the war with the unprecedented employment opportunities created during the war.

Conclusion:  Summarize how the war acted as a catalyst for altering perceptions of women’s capabilities and briefly discuss the lasting implications of these changes in the post-war era. The closure statement is the most important part of how to write a dbq essay process.

In a body paragraph discussing societal perceptions, you might incorporate the broader historical context:

“Contrary to pre-war societal expectations that confined women to domestic spheres, World War II served as a watershed moment. The labor shortages prompted a seismic shift in employment dynamics, challenging the traditional roles assigned to women. This unprecedented recruitment of women into various sectors previously dominated by men, as evident from the provided documents, laid the foundation for a fundamental reevaluation of women’s capabilities and their contributions to the workforce.”

Be Clear and Analytical

How to write a dbq essay? The specific answer is to write in a clear, concise, and organized manner, ensuring your ideas flow logically. Use historical reasoning to analyze the documents critically and offer insightful interpretations.

This might be very challenging but you can practice on a good dbq essay template to polish your skills.

Writing with clarity and adopting an analytical approach is pivotal in crafting a successful DBQ essay. Let’s explore this with examples in the context of the impact of World War II on women’s roles in the American workforce:

Clarity in Writing

• Clear and Concise Expression

Example:  “The rise in female workforce participation during WWII challenged conventional gender roles, ushering in a new era of women’s contributions to the nation’s economy.”

Explanation:  This sentence succinctly summarizes a significant impact of WWII on women’s roles, avoiding unnecessary complexity while conveying a clear message. This is a vital step in how to write a dbq essay process.

• Logical Organization

Example:  Using clear transitions between paragraphs to maintain a coherent flow of ideas.

Explanation:  Smooth transitions help readers follow the essay’s progression, ensuring a logical and organized presentation of arguments.

Analytical Approach

• Critical Document Analysis

Example:  “The government’s ‘Rosie the Riveter’ campaign symbolized the pivotal role women played in industrial work, challenging societal norms.”

Explanation:  This analysis goes beyond describing the document; it interprets its significance in challenging societal perceptions, offering a deeper understanding.

• Historical Reasoning

Example:  “The wartime surge in female employment not only addressed labor shortages but also reshaped societal attitudes towards women’s capabilities in non-traditional roles.”

Explanation:  By connecting historical events to broader implications, this analysis demonstrates a deep understanding of the historical context.

Using This in Our Writing

Incorporating clarity and an analytical approach into how to write a dbq essay involves crafting clear and concise sentences while providing insightful interpretations of the provided documents and historical context:

Clear Writing:  Ensure each sentence contributes directly to the argument, avoiding vague or ambiguous language.

Analytical Analysis:  Go beyond summarizing the documents; instead, interpret their implications and connections to broader historical contexts. For instance, explore how the “Rosie the Riveter” campaign challenged gender norms and impacted societal perceptions of women’s roles.

Proofread and Revise

Proofreading:  Review your essay for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors to level up how to write a dbq essay process.

Content Revision:  Ensure that your arguments are coherent, well-supported, and directly address the prompt.That’s the crucial part of how to write a dbq process.

Proofreading and revising are crucial steps in writing a DBQ essay. Let’s delve into these steps with examples in the context of the impact of World War II on women’s roles in the American workforce:

Proofreading

• Spelling and Grammar

Example:  “The government’s propaganda played a vital role in mobilizing women.”

Revision:  “The government’s propaganda played a vital role in mobilizing women.”

• Punctuation

Example:  “Women’s participation increased during WWII government propaganda played a crucial role.”

Revision:  “Women’s participation increased during WWII; government propaganda played a crucial role.”

Content Revision

• Coherence of Arguments

Example:  Incoherent argument sequence: Discussing post-war changes before explaining wartime impact.

Revision:  Reorganize paragraphs to present arguments logically, starting with wartime impact and leading into post-war changes.

• Support for Arguments

Example:  Making claims without documented evidence or analysis to support them.

Revision:  Incorporate specific examples and analysis from the provided documents to substantiate each argument.

Applying the Concept in Our Writing

Proofreading:  After completing the essay, review it carefully for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Use tools like spell checkers but also read the essay aloud or have someone else review it for better accuracy. Proofreading will always help students learn how to write a dbq essay.

Content Revision:  Ensure that each argument directly addresses the prompt and is supported by evidence from the documents. Revisit each paragraph to verify that it contributes to the essay’s central thesis and maintains a logical flow of ideas.

Sample Integration

“During World War II, women’s roles in the American workforce underwent a profound transformation. The government’s propaganda, such as the ‘Rosie the Riveter’ poster, served as a catalyst in reshaping societal perceptions about women’s capabilities. Women’s increased participation in traditionally male-dominated industries, as evidenced by government campaigns, directly countered pre-war societal norms.”

Revising for Clarity and Coherence

“The ‘Rosie the Riveter’ poster is an iconic symbol of the seismic shift in women’s roles during WWII. Its depiction of a confident female worker challenged traditional gender roles, exemplifying the transformative impact of the war on societal perceptions. Moreover, personal accounts, like the diary entry of a factory worker, highlight the challenges and pride associated with women’s contributions to the wartime economy.”

Practice and Time Management

Practice Writing DBQs:  The best answer to how to write a dbq essay is to practice. Familiarize yourself with the format and practice analyzing documents to enhance your skills. Start with  300 words essay format guide  and then increase the word limit with time.

Time Management:  Practice writing within the allocated time frame to ensure you can effectively complete the essay section in the given time.

Developing proficiency in how to write a DBQ essay process involves practice and effective time management. Here’s a breakdown with dbq example in the context of analyzing the impact of World War II on women’s roles in the American workforce:

Practice Writing DBQs

• Familiarizing with the Format

Example:  Analyze various DBQ prompts on different historical topics, such as the Civil Rights Movement or Industrial Revolution, to understand the varied approaches and required analyses.

Practice Task:  Answering a prompt on the Civil Rights Movement, exploring documents related to key events and societal changes.

• Enhancing Document Analysis Skills

Example:  Engage in document-based activities by examining historical texts, images, or speeches to sharpen document analysis skills.

Practice Task:  Analyzing primary sources related to women’s suffrage movements and their impact on societal changes.

Time Management

• Setting Time Limits for Practice Essays

Example:  Allocate a specific time frame (e.g., 45 minutes) to complete a practice on how to write a DBQ essay, mirroring the time constraints of the actual exam.

Practice Task:  Answering a DBQ prompt on the impact of technological advancements on society within the given time limit.

• Effective Planning during Practice Sessions

Example:  Devote a set time for reading and analyzing the documents, outlining the essay, and writing the actual response.

Allocating 15 minutes for document analysis, 10 minutes for outlining, and 20 minutes for writing a practice DBQ on the Civil War’s economic effects.

Using it in Your Writing

Regular Practice:  Engaging in frequent DBQ practice sessions hones document analysis skills, improves writing coherence, and familiarizes you with effective time management strategies.

Simulation of Exam Conditions:  Replicate exam conditions during practice sessions, including time limits and adherence to the DBQ format, to simulate the actual test environment.

Integrating the Sample

“I dedicated 15 minutes to analyzing the provided documents, and identifying recurring themes and perspectives. Then, I spent 10 minutes outlining the essay, and organizing arguments based on document evidence. Finally, within the remaining 20 minutes, I crafted a well-structured response to the DBQ prompt on the Industrial Revolution’s impact on urbanization.”

Seek Feedback

Share your practice essays for constructive feedback to improve how to write a dbq essay and your analysis skills.

Approximately 470,000 students take the AP exam and go through the document based question essay. But not all of them succeed and the reason is not writing what they are asked for. This guide has revised solutions for the challenges faced by students previously regarding how to write a DBQ. You can take the advice from the experience and mistakes of former applicants and craft your essay while avoiding such mishaps.

Still Confused?

How to write a DBQ? This process can get very confusing. So if you are still in sixes and sevens about this writing, don’t hesitate to consult our  paper help  for assistance and valuable tips. 

Now, You’ve Got All the Answers For DBQ Essay

You finally made it to the end of this comprehensive guide and now you are equipped with the steps of writing a great DBQ essay. Practicing these steps are going to help you write the best essay in the given time limit.

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What is a DBQ? An Essential Guide to Document-Based Questions

As you prepare for your upcoming AP tests, you’ll likely hear the term DBQ thrown around multiple times. DBQs are crucial to your overall AP test score and help demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and analytical abilities.

But what is a DBQ, and how can you use it to your advantage on the AP exams? This article will answer your questions about DBQs, from what they look like and how they’re scored to what the rubric means. We’ll also look at the purpose of the DBQ as well as which exams include a DBQ. Read on for more information about DBQs and how to use them to your advantage.

What is a DBQ?

Let’s start by answering the essential question: what is a DBQ? The document-based question, or DBQ, is an essay question included in many Advanced Placement (AP) exams. DBQs are worth a significant portion of your overall grade on the AP test and are meant to assess your ability to analyze primary sources.

Which Exams Include a DBQ?

DBQs are included in many Advanced Placement (AP) exams, including AP History, AP English Language and Composition, and AP World History. They are also included in some SAT subject tests, such as SAT II US History, SAT II World History, and SAT II Literature. To correctly answer a DBQ, you must analyze historical documents as evidence to answer a primary question regarding historical events or issues.

What Does the DBQ Format Look Like?

Students can format a DBQ response in the same way they would with a standard analytical essay. Generally speaking, you should format your DBQ as follows:

• Introduction: In the introduction, you should explain what the essay is about, introduce your argument, write your thesis statement, and describe the main points that you will be addressing in the essay.
• Body: The essay’s body should consist of several paragraphs, each focusing on one central point you outlined in the introduction. Each paragraph should begin with a comprehensive topic sentence and be supported with evidence from the documents.
• Conclusion: The conclusion should summarize the central points of your essay and restate your argument. It should also explain how your argument supports the prompt.

When writing your DBQ essay during an AP exam, you will be given 15 minutes to look over the documents provided for the essay. You will spend the remaining 45 minutes writing the essay following this period. Most DBQs provide numerous documents to consider when supporting your argument, so understanding each document is crucial.

AP exams usually include two DBQs. Students have 90 minutes to write their essays after reviewing the documents.

How is the DBQ Scored?

Your DBQ will be scored based on how thoroughly you answer the prompt, the strength of your argument, the quality of your evidence, and how effectively you use the source material. DBQs are the second-highest contributor to your final score. The DBQ rubric emphasizes your essay’s thesis, analysis, evidence, and synthesis. These essays are scored based on the following categories and points system:

• Thesis (0-1 point)
• Contextualization (0-1 point)
• Evidence (0-3 points)
• Analysis (0-2 points)

How Much is the Document-Based Question Worth?

The DBQ is worth a significant portion of your grade on the AP test. Typically, the DBQ will be worth 25% of your overall score.

What Does the Rubric Mean?

The DBQ rubric is a set of criteria used to evaluate essays. It is divided into the categories listed above. But what does the rubric mean, and what should you expect to be graded on for each category? Below is a breakdown of each category and how points are determined.

• Thesis: You earn a point on your DBQ thesis if you successfully make a claim responding to the prompt and addressing all of your central points that will be argued in the body. The thesis statement should be no more than two sentences, though one is preferable.
• Contextualization: The context of your essay is crucial to a comprehensive and highly graded DBQ response. This portion relates to whether your thesis and arguments are connected to broader historical contexts central to the question.
• Evidence: Students will earn anywhere from one to three points based on how successfully they incorporate the document-based evidence. Two points are earned when a student’s response describes the document’s content. The third point is earned if students integrate a document’s evidence throughout the essay rather than taking large chunks and quotes from the documents without providing analysis.
• Analysis: Finally, you can earn one point for your analysis if you can accurately depict the content from each document, including its purpose and perspective. Students earn two points for responses that display a nuanced understanding of historical events relating to the documents.

What’s the Purpose of a DBQ?

The purpose of a DBQ is to assess your ability to analyze primary historical sources. DBQs test your skills and whether you can comprehensively respond to each question with a detailed explanation of the documents. DBQs focus on your analytical skills, overall knowledge of the subject, and ability to understand and break down historical documents.

It tests your ability to identify critical points and analyze how the documents support them. Additionally, it tests your ability to write a strong argument and support it with evidence. DBQs also demonstrate your understanding of the political and cultural contexts behind historical documents and their related events.

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Colleges of Distinction ensure that students are prepared for anything as they move toward a new chapter. Through our comprehensive resources and advice for students , you can master your DBQ responses and get into the colleges you’ve set your sights on. Check out our cohort of top-recognized colleges today by visiting Colleges of Distinction’s website. With some practice, preparation, and resources from Colleges of Distinction, you’ll be ready to ace your next AP test!

Ana-Marcela joined the Colleges of Distinction team as an intern in 2018. Over the years, she has transitioned from intern to outreach associate, and now leads the team’s marketing and digital strategy efforts. Ana-Marcela coordinates social media and written content that helps students find the answers they need at every step of their college journey. She also led the research and development of the newest recognition, Military Support, which highlights institutions that dedicate resources to the service of service members and veterans of the military.  Ana -Marcela is a native Austinite and she earned her Bachelor’s in English Literature from St. Edward’s University. She spends her free time hiking the greenbelt, salsa dancing, cruising the aisles of half price books, and cuddling her cats.

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• Essay Writing Guides

DBQ Essay Writing Guide

DBQ essays are a type of history exam or course where students analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources to construct an argument. They consist of components such as historical context, thesis statement, evidence from provided documents, analysis of evidence, and synthesis of information. Mastering DBQ essay writing skills is crucial in history education as it assesses students’ ability to analyze historical documents, think critically, and construct cohesive arguments. 

Writing a DBQ essay fosters transferable skills such as analytical reasoning and effective communication, which are valuable beyond the classroom. This article aims to provide practical writing tips for students to write a DBQ essay , equipping them with the tools and strategies necessary to tackle these essays confidently and successfully.

DBQ Essay : Definition

A Document-Based Question (DBQ) essay is an academic writing style commonly used in history courses and exams, where students analyze and interpret historical documents to construct an argument or response to a specific prompt. Originally developed by the College Board for Advanced Placement (AP) history exams, DBQ essays have become a staple in history education, challenging students to engage critically with primary and secondary sources.

A DBQ essay consists of five components: historical context, the thesis statement, evidence, analysis, and synthesis. Historical context refers to the broader circumstances, events, or conditions surrounding the topic or issue being examined. The statement serves as the central argument or claim that the essay will defend or support, guiding the writer’s analysis and providing a clear focus for the reader. Evidence in a DBQ essay includes information and insights drawn from primary sources (e.g., letters, speeches, photographs) and secondary sources (e.g., historical analyses, scholarly interpretations).

Analysis is the process of interpreting and explaining the significance of evidence in relation to the thesis statement and overall argument. The analysis demonstrates the writer’s critical thinking skills and ability to draw connections between the documents, historical context, and thesis statement. Synthesis is the integration of multiple sources and perspectives to develop a nuanced and cohesive argument, addressing the complexity of the historical topic or question.

Preparation Process for DBQ Essays 

To write a BBQ essay, students should familiarise themselves with the prompt, understand the rubric and scoring criteria, review relevant historical content, and develop a strong thesis statement. The prompt provides a specific question or task that guides the response, and understanding the prompt helps break it down into key components. The rubric outlines the criteria for evaluation, including thesis development, evidence use, analysis, organization, and writing mechanics. Aligning with the rubric allows students to tailor their writing to meet grading criteria and maximize their scores.

Researching relevant historical content is essential for providing informed analysis and interpretation. Strategies for reviewing historical content include reading textbooks, primary sources, and scholarly articles. A strong statement serves as the foundation of the essay, providing coherence and focus while guiding the organization and development of the argument. By following these steps, students can write DBQ essays to the best of their ability. 

DBQ Outline

To assist you in this endeavor, we present a structured outline for writing a DBQ essay. This DBQ essay outline provides a roadmap for organizing your thoughts, analyzing documents, and constructing a compelling argument.

• Introduction: Hook, background information, and thesis statement.
• Historical Context: Brief overview of the historical period or event.
• Document Analysis: Summary of document content, analysis of perspective or bias, and connection to the thesis statement.
• Synthesis of Documents: Identify common themes, discuss conflicting viewpoints, and analyze how documents support or challenge the thesis statement.
• Outside Evidence (if required): Incorporate additional historical evidence or examples not provided in the documents.
• Conclusion: Restate the thesis statement, summarise the main points, and offer a concluding thought on the topic’s significance.
• Citations: Properly cite each document and outside evidence, following the citation style specified by the instructor or institution.

Remember to adapt this DBQ outline as needed based on the specific requirements of your DBQ prompt and the instructions provided by your teacher or professor. 

DBQ Essay Structure

To know how to write a DBQ essay, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of a topic or event. It begins with an introduction, which introduces the topic and provides an engaging hook. The body paragraphs then follow, focusing on the main idea or argument of each paragraph. Evidence is used to support the writer’s argument and demonstrate their understanding of the historical context. Strategies for incorporating evidence include introducing relevant quotes or paraphrases from the documents, citing the source and providing brief context if necessary.

The analysis process involves examining and interpreting the significance of the evidence in relation to the thesis statement. The components of analysis include explaining how the evidence supports the argument, considering any biases or limitations of the source, and discussing its broader implications for understanding the historical context or topic.

In conclusion, the DBQ essay restates the thesis, summarising the main points, offering a closing thought or call to action, and encouraging further exploration or discussion. The thesis serves as a reminder of the main argument and reinforces its significance in light of the evidence presented. The summary provides closure and reinforces the key arguments made throughout the essay. The essay encourages readers to reflect on the topic’s significance and encourages further exploration or discussion.

DBQ Essay Topic Ideas

Here, we present a curated list of compelling topic ideas to write a DBQ essay , each ripe for research, discussion, and debate. 

• The Impact of Industrialization on Society: Examines how the Industrial Revolution transformed economies, societies, and daily life.
• The Rise of Social Media and Its Influence on Communication: Analyzes how social media platforms have reshaped communication dynamics, affecting interpersonal relationships and societal discourse.
• The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Investigates the applications of AI in healthcare, including diagnostic tools and personalized medicine.
• The Global Refugee Crisis: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions: Explores the root causes of forced displacement, challenges faced by refugees, and efforts to address their needs.
• The Rise of Populism in Contemporary Politics: Analyzes the factors contributing to the rise of populist movements and leaders.

Remember, the journey of discovery often begins with a single question, a spark of curiosity, or a desire to understand the world around us more deeply. Happy exploring!

How to Write a DBQ Essay

Here are some tips on writing the DBQ essays: 

• Prioritise Time Management: Allocate specific time for each stage of the writing process, including reading, analyzing documents, outlining, writing, and revising.
• Practice Document Analysis: Develop skills in analyzing historical documents by practicing with various sources.
• Use Outside Knowledge Wisely: Incorporate outside knowledge to enhance your argument but be selective in choosing which evidence to include.
• Utilise Transitions Effectively: Smooth transitions between paragraphs and ideas are crucial for maintaining coherence and flow.
• Address Counterarguments: Anticipate potential counterarguments or alternative interpretations of the evidence presented in the documents.

And finally, be confident in your analysis. Trust your analytical skills and interpretation of the documents.

Citation Style

Students may wonder how to cite these sources within their essays appropriately. This guide explores various DBQ format styles suitable for DBQ essays and provides tips on when and how to use them effectively.

• Chicago Manual of Style (CMS): CMS is a widely used citation style in history and humanities disciplines. In-text citations typically employ footnotes or endnotes, providing full bibliographic details for each source cited. For example, “The Gettysburg Address was delivered by Abraham Lincoln in 1863.”
• Modern Language Association (MLA) Style: MLA is commonly used in English and literature disciplines but may also be suitable for history essays. In-text citations use parenthetical citations, including the author’s last name and page number within parentheses. For example, “The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Lincoln in 1863 (Lincoln 45).”
• Document Descriptor: In DBQ essays, especially in standardized tests like the AP exams, it’s common to refer to documents by their designated numbers or brief descriptors. In-text citations use document numbers or descriptors within parentheses to reference specific documents.

In conclusion, choosing the right citation style to write DBQ essays in is crucial for accurately referencing the provided documents. By properly citing sources, students demonstrate integrity in their research and analysis, enhancing the credibility of their DBQ essay.

Afterthoughts

In conclusion, with the correct resources and methods, producing a successful DBQ essay can be mastered. Through adherence to the useful DBQ layout provided in this manual and comprehension of the proper citation styles for sources, students can proficiently address DBQ questions and get exceptional results in their history assignments or tests. 

Recall that the secret is in careful document analysis, concise thesis construction, and well-supported argumentation. You may write a DBQ essay that demonstrates your critical thinking abilities and historical knowledge with dedication, practice, and attention to detail — all of which will ultimately lead to academic achievement. So take on the challenge, put these tactics to use, and let your creativity run wild as you masterfully tackle DBQ essays.

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How to Write a DBQ Essay

In this guide, you’ll learn how to write a DBQ .

This task often dazes students, as they don’t face this type of essay in class. When the time comes to deal with it, many questions and doubts appear about how to write a DBQ AP world , how long should a DBQ be , how to structure it, and so forth.

No worries:

We will go through the thorny path of DBQ essay writing together.

What Is a DBQ Essay?

A DBQ essay is a “document-based question” text you write as part of an AP History exam (such as the AP U.S. History exam, also known as APUSH, the AP European History exam, or the AP World History exam).

As you can see from the name, a DBQ essay is an assignment that requires you to analyze several documents related to a particular historical topic or time period and use them as evidence for your thesis and arguments.

Let’s see how to write a DBQ APUSH and organize the whole writing process for positive results.

When working on a DBQ essay, your goal will be to use the documents provided to analyze some trends or issues from the past. They’ll give you five to seven docs to check and determine any cause-and-effect relationships between the events those documents describe.

(These can be primary or secondary sources, including graphs, maps, letters, newspapers, etc.)

Instructors assign a DBQ essay to assess the skills you’ve gained in your AP class. They expect you to demonstrate the ability to:

• Assess the context behind historical documents
• Find connections between them
• State a solid thesis related to the issue and use your analysis of the given documents to support it
• Apply your knowledge and critical thinking to develop more substantial argumentation

So, here’s a recap:

You won’t need to describe the events from the documents they give you at the exam. A DBQ essay is about analysis: Imagine that you are a historian who needs to interpret sources and determine relationships between events to develop your thesis regarding a particular historical period or issue.

Organization

Each AP history exam has two essay questions: one DBQ and one standard essay. You’ll see the DBQ essay in Part II (the writing section) of the test booklet. There will be instructions on the DBQ structure , the prompt, and the documents you’ll need to analyze.

You’ll have 90 minutes to write both essays. They recommend that you spend 15 minutes reading and interpreting the documents and 35-40 minutes writing.

Please note that your instructor won’t tell you when it’s time to finish the DBQ and move on to the second essay in your exam task, so keep an eye on the time to complete both papers successfully.

Part II (the writing section) of the AP exam makes up 50% of your grade: The two essays are of equal value, weighing 25% each.

In terms of grading, you can score up to seven points for your DBQ essay, one for each of the following:

• A strong thesis
• An argument addressing the historical theme and analyzed documents
• The number of sources you link to your argument
• Your analysis of the context, purpose, and audience for the given documents
• Your discussion of the historical context that gives your argument more weight
• Your mentions of pieces of supporting evidence besides those given to you in the prompt
• Your ability to connect the thesis with another historical development, theme, or approach

Each AP history exam has two essay questions: one DBQ and one standard essay. You’ll see the DBQ essay in Part II (the writing section) of the test booklet. There will be instructions on the DBQ structure, the prompt, and the documents you’ll need to analyze.

This task differs from a free-response essay, which may confuse students when they first encounter it. For this reason, we have specified the DBQ’s structure for you to reference when preparing for the exam. The outline sample is also here to make this type of essay even more straightforward.

DBQ Structure

A DBQ essay’s structure resembles a classic academic paper with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The only difference is that your thesis will be a separate paragraph rather than a sentence in your introduction.

That said, the DBQ structure is as follows:

• Paragraph 1: Introduction
• Paragraph 2: Thesis
• Paragraph 3: Argument 1
• Paragraph 4: Argument 2
• Paragraph 5: Argument 3
• Paragraph 6: Conclusion

Format it in APA (for more information, here’s our article about how to write an essay in APA format ). As for length, a DBQ essay is typically three handwritten pages.

DBQ Outline Sample

What do you need to include in every paragraph of your DBQ essay? Below is an outline example that will help you understand this paper better.

How to write a DBQ AP world:

Introduction

– Hook your audience in the first sentence.

– Provide background for the topic. Use a source referring to a historical event or historical figure.

– Present the claims you’ll support with evidence.

– Present the evidence you’ll describe in the body paragraphs.

– Explain how you will answer the DBQ question.

Body paragraph 1

– Add the strongest argument you have related to your thesis.

– Add an analysis of the references that belong to that argument.

– Make a statement that performs the analysis from a different perspective. Link it to the thesis statement.

– Write a transition sentence that connects to the subsequent paragraph.

Body paragraph 2

– Add a new argument related to the one from the previous paragraph.

– Add an analysis of the references that belong to it.

– Write a transition sentence that connects to the following paragraph.

Main paragraph 3

– Add another argument that refers to your thesis and the argument from the previous paragraph.

– Write a transition sentence that connects to the conclusion.

– Summarize your arguments.

– Include any highlights or essential information that you’ve found.

– Write a strong closing sentence to leave readers with food for thought.

Steps to Writing a DBQ Essay

Now, let’s see how to write a DBQ essay when you’re at the exam and have about an hour to deal with everything.

Five steps to follow:

• Analyze the prompt.
• Develop a thesis.
• Analyze the documents.
• Write a draft.
• Proofread and edit your DBQ essay.

Here are the details on each.

Analyze the Prompt

• Read the task question: What is it asking you to do? Ensure you understand it; otherwise, you won’t be able to craft a clear thesis and essay.
• Underline the key terms.
• Identify categories. DBQs usually address either attitudes/reactions or political, economic, and social aspects within the question.
• Pay attention to the documents’ chronology. Analyze it.
• Number the parts of the question that you must answer.

Develop a Thesis

A thesis comes after the opening paragraph of your DBQ essay, and it’s your opinion on the given topic. State your position on the question, answering all parts of it.

Please note:

A thesis statement is your argument, not another question you’re asking on the given documents and prescribed theme.

Below, we’ll provide more details on how to write a thesis for a DBQ.

Analyze the Documents

Now, it’s time to analyze the documents and decide which ones to use in each paragraph of your essay to support your claims.

Read through all the documents and see how they relate to the question in the prompt. Some will be more important than others; you should ignore those that are insignificant to your thesis. However, ensure that you include more than half of the documents in your essay.

So, here’s the plan:

• Outline your essay to see if it will answer all the parts of the question.
• List the documents you’ll use as a reference in each paragraph.
• Think about the outside information on the topic (besides that from the documents) that you might want to give to earn extra points on your essay.

Write a Draft

You’ll have 30-35 minutes to write your DBQ essay. Use this time wisely:

• Follow the outline when writing.
• Stick to the idea of “one paragraph = one argument” .
• Use the documents and outside information (your knowledge) to support your answer.
• Carry your thesis throughout your essay.
• Conclude with a summary of your arguments.

Keep reading to learn the details of how to write a DBQ introduction and

how to write a DBQ conclusion.

Proofread and Edit Your Essay

The final step is to revise the draft to ensure it’s error-free.

• Proofread your text for typos, as well as grammatical and stylistic mistakes. While minor errors are acceptable (such as writing “sufrage” instead of “suffrage” when talking about a woman’s movement for their rights), it’s still better to polish it as best you can.
• Ensure that you’ve included all the required elements.
• Check if your essay’s names, dates, people, and other facts are accurate.
• Double-check that you’ve cited the correct documents and presented their content accurately.

And now, for the most exciting part:

Here’s how to write a DBQ essay paragraph by paragraph.

How to Write a DBQ Introduction

Introduce the topic to your reader and mention the points you’ll describe in the text. Refrain from restating the question; tell them more about the purpose of your essay instead.

This is how to write a DBQ intro:

• Start with a hook, i.e., an opening sentence that grabs attention and engages the reader. It can be an intriguing question or some unexpected statement about the historical period or issue you’ll discuss.
• Explain what you’ll be talking about: Give readers the topic’s background.

How to Write a DBQ Thesis

A thesis is a concise statement about your essay’s topic. It’s a defensible claim that responds to the prompt and that you’ll prove and support with evidence throughout your DBQ paper.

Review the prompt, read the documents to learn more about the topic, and form your perspective (argument) based on the information received. Refine that rough argument into a tentative thesis. It will be the heart of your paper to which all the claims and evidence in the body paragraphs of your essay will lead.

Below are your actionable tips on how to write a DBQ thesis.

Tips on How to Write a Thesis for a DBQ

• Present the claim you’ll support with evidence.
• Present the evidence you’ll describe in the body paragraphs.
• Explain how you’ll answer the DBQ question.

Writing the Body Paragraphs of Your DBQ Essay

As a rule, DBQ essays consist of 3-4 body paragraphs.

Every paragraph covers only one idea and begins with a topic sentence.

Start with some outside information you learned in class and then support your thoughts with the documents. Don’t fall into lengthy descriptions of the documents – try to integrate them into your paper. You’re writing a formal, not a narrative, essay, so stick to the structure and formatting guidelines.

Here are some tips on how to write a DBQ body paragraph:

• Follow the structure: a topic sentence (argument related to your thesis) + evidence from the documents + logical transition to the subsequent paragraph.
• Don’t just list the documents as they appear in the DBQ. Provide some analysis of them.
• When referencing documents, always name the author and what they are in your sentence. At the end of each sentence, write the document number in parentheses in an abbreviated form.
• Organize the facts in a logical sequence.
• Place each set of facts in a separate paragraph.
• Don’t quote the documents; use them as references. If you quote something, do it sparingly: one or two sources, and only part of them.

How to Write a DBQ Conclusion

Begin by restating the purpose of your DBQ essay and summarize the points you’ve described in previous paragraphs. Emphasize the “Why it is important” question to highlight the issue’s impact on today’s world. (It will make the audience feel the relevance and significance of the topic.) If you have no time for a lengthy conclusion, write a concluding sentence – it’s better than leaving the essay incomplete.

Below are some tips on how to write a conclusion for a DBQ.

Hacks on How to Write a Conclusion for a DBQ

• Bring the reader back to your thesis and the initial question.
• Summarize your points from the body paragraphs.
• Include the highlights you’ve found.
• Put in the historical significance of the event that the question asked about.
• Write a strong closing sentence to leave readers with food for thought.

Little Tricks for Writing a Nice DBQ Paper

These tips from our experts will let you see how to write a good DBQ on the AP exam.

• Ensure that you understand the question, as your credit depends on how well you answer it. A good tip: Write what it is about in your own words.
• As you read the question, keep an eye on what skills they are trying to test you for in the DBQ: historical argumentation, proper use of historical evidence, synthesis, and contextualization. (As a rule, they’ll outline this in the rubric.)
• Use the historical background, but don’t explain it (unless the assignment requires it).
• Don’t reference documents by using phrases like “document 1 states”; mention the document’s title instead. Include contextualization, a brief statement that sets out the broader historical background that’s relevant to the essay prompt.
• Different exams require or don’t require quotes. If you’re unsure, use a citation to clarify what document you are talking about.
• Present all the paragraphs in a logical order.
• Keep in mind that there is no correct answer to a DBQ essay. As long as you have evidence, you can argue for any point of view.
• Remember to use outside information to get the most credit for your essay.
• Don’t panic. Learn as much about the exam as you can and get prepared.
• Remember that the graders will only have a little time to read your essay; they will look at the general picture instead of doing a detailed review.

How Long Should a DBQ Be to Appear A-Worthy?

You have 40-45 minutes to complete the DBQ essay. Aim for 5-6 paragraphs that will discuss at least half of the documents provided with the prompt. Use a double-spaced format for your essay.

If you write it by hand, keep it three pages long. As for the word count, your DBQ essay should be between 700 and 1000 words .

A DBQ Essay Sample to Check

It’s better to see once than hear twice, right? Now that you know how to write a DBQ, here’s a DBQ essay example to consider when you have doubts about organizing your paper like a boss.

The Role Of The Early Black Church In The Struggle For Civil Rights And Freedom

The Church’s role during the civil rights movement was pronounced in providing much-needed emotional, spiritual, and moral reinforcement and support that rekindled the community’s strength to continue their agitation for equal human rights for all Americans, irrespective of one’s creed or color. Historically, the Black Church played an enormous role in providing safer havens where agitators of freedom and racial justice could assemble in a comfortable environment. For instance, the Church inspired the struggle for civil rights and freedom by conceiving associations that mentored leaders, mobilized resources, and instilled a strong sense of spiritual culture.

The Black Church ascended to become an epicenter of African American life, inspiring and nourishing the Civil Rights Movement’s religious and political dimensions by molding personalities who led the movement in different phases. The Church conceived various powerful formations, including the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), that actively took part in the black struggle for racial parity and civil rights freedoms (Calhoun-Brown 170). The Church would make black leaders like Luther King Jr. more visible, shaping their ideologies of nonviolence to freedom and justice.

The Black Church supported the fight for freedom and civil rights by mobilizing a structured mass base, resources, and congregation points where the masses designed strategies and tactics and organized themselves to the struggle. The Church leadership was economically dependent on clergy persons from the White society with adequate skills in managing people, mobilizing the masses, and necessary resources, which fueled the movement towards its pre-mediated direction (Ghose 59). The Black Church became extensively involved in the freedom fight by deepening its commitment to the fight for social justice through direct actions, such as the Montgomery bus boycott, training young leaders, and asserting the value and quality of all individuals.

The Black Church made supplications that spoke directly to the oppressed peoples’ needs and emphasized the sinful nature of oppression before the Almighty, prayers that connected the movement’s purpose to the spiritual precepts entrenched in Christianity (Harris 8). Such prayers attracted more masses to join the movement. Existing evidence shows that SNCC students, including John Lewis, derived their activism motivation from a Christian conscience that strengthened them during violence, fear, and danger (Mays et al. 104). Such activism motivation was critical in supporting their movements.

The Black Church exhorted African American communities to accept the notion of redemptive suffering as sacred because it was grounded in Christianity, which gave them hope for a better tomorrow when they shall all be free from the tentacles of social, economic, and political injustices. Additionally, the Black Church gave activists a non-violent approach to the struggle (Taylor 4). The Biblical texts reinforced this approach and encouraged the masses to submit to God’s will. Despite acting as a model of independence that the oppressed sought, the Church served as a source of metaphors and symbols for the freedom fighters.

The Black Church gave hope to those who had suffered humiliation in the country’s history, including the oppressed African American individuals, by sustaining a strong sense of spiritual culture rooted in the faith, which walked them through their ordeal. The Black Church rendered the platform to gather for spiritual and cultural rejuvenation (Napierała 6). The Church also offered them the stage to express their cultural activities amidst exclusion and oppression (Mays et al. 104). The Church rituals, prayers, doctrines, and music gave them solidarity and identity pegged on the doctrine of the equality of men before the Creator (Mays et al. 104).

The Black Church’s history and the agonizing experience of the African American community in American society positioned the Church as the home of faith for freedom agitators. It acted as the Blacks’ cultural congregation and raising funds centers. Additionally, it acted as a laboratory for leadership training, a shelter of solace, a source of aid, and the emblem of autonomy and identity of African masses during the Civil Rights Movement. In that regard, the Church nurtured various personalities to ensure the movement’s sustenance into the future.

Works Cited

Calhoun-Brown, Allison. “Upon this rock: The black church, nonviolence, and the civil rights movement.” PS: Political Science & Politics 33.2 (2000): 169-174. Ghose, Supad K. “The role of the Black church in the American Civil Rights Movement.” UITS Journal 5.1 (2019): 58-68. Harris, Fredrick C. Something within: Religion in African-American political activism. Oxford University Press, 1999. Mays, Benjamin E., and Joseph W. Nicholson. “The Negro’s Church (New York, 1933; rpt. New York.” (1969). Morris, Aldon D. The origins of the civil rights movement. Simon and Schuster, 1986. Napierała, Paulina. “Black Churches and African American social activism: the” opiate view” and the” inspiration view” of black religion in the selected literature.” BAS British and American Studies 27 (2021). Taylor, Clarence. Black religious intellectuals: The fight for equality from Jim Crow to the 21st century. Routledge, 2013.

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6 Steps to a Perfect AP European History DBQ

Advanced Placement (AP)

Are you taking AP Euro and are wondering about the AP Euro DBQ essay? The DBQ is quite different from a typical school essay, and students often struggle with it during the AP exam. However, knowing what to expect from the AP Euro DBQ will go a long way towards helping you feel more confident, as well as getting a great score! Read this in-depth guide to learn all about what to expect from the AP Euro DBQ, what graders are looking for in your essay, a step-by-step guide to writing a DBQ, and three key tips to keep in mind when going over AP Euro DBQ example questions.

What Is the AP Euro DBQ? Why Is It Important?

The DBQ, or "document-based question," is an essay question type on three AP History exams (AP US History, AP European History, and AP World History). For the DBQ essay, you'll need to analyze a historical issue or trend with the aid of the provided sources (the documents) as evidence. For AP European History, you'll generally be given about seven documents.

The purpose of the AP Euro DBQ is to put you in the historian's shoes as an interpreter of historical material and test your ability to:

• Create a strong thesis and support that thesis with the aid of the documents provided
• Analyze sources for characteristics such as author's point of view, the author's purpose, the audience, and context
• Make connections between the documents
• Bring in outside knowledge to strengthen the argument

For the AP Euro exam, the DBQ accounts for 25% of your total exam score, so it's definitely not something you want to overlook. It's also consistently one of the toughest parts of the exam. In 2021 , the average AP Euro DBQ score was just a 3.26 out of 7--less than a 50%! Fortunately, preparing in advance for the AP Euro DBQ can go a long way to helping you feel more confident and, ultimately, get a higher score.

What to Expect from the AP Euro DBQ

The AP Euro exam is broken into two main sections. The first section consists of the multiple-choice questions and three short-answer questions. The second section consists of the DBQ and the long essay. When you get to section two, you'll see the DBQ instructions, then the DBQ prompt, and finally the documents (there are typically seven). Here's what the DBQ instructions look like:

These instructions lay out exactly how you're expected to use the documents. You'll need to mention at least six and go into depth for at least three of them. Additionally, you'll have to come up with at least one other piece of historical evidence not found in the documents to support your argument.

Here's an AP Euro DBQ example from the 2021 exam :

"Evaluate whether or not British imperial rule in India during the 1800s was primarily influenced by liberalism."

 Seven documents follow (which you can see if you click the above link), and they're a mix of extracts from posters, newspaper articles, interviews, and other sources. Your job would be to write an essay that takes a side on the issue and uses both information from the documents and your own analysis to support your stance. We'll go over exactly how to do this throughout the rest of the article.

The AP Euro DBQ is worth seven points. You can see the full rubric here , but here's a brief overview of where those points are earned:

• Thesis responds to the prompt with a historically defensible thesis/claim that establishes a line of reasoning. (1 point)
• Essay describes a broader historical context relevant to the prompt.   (1 point)
• Essay supports an argument in response to the prompt using at least six documents. (2 points)
• Essay uses at least one additional piece of specific historical evidence (beyond that found in the documents) relevant to an argument about the prompt. (1 point)
• For at least three documents, the essay explains how or why the document’s point of view, purpose, historical situation, and/or audience is relevant to an argument. (1 point)
• Demonstrates a complex understanding of the historical development that is the focus of prompt, using evidence to corroborate, qualify, or modify an argument that addresses the question. (1 point)

As you can see, a lot of points are derived from clearly and accurately incorporating information from the documents into your essay.

6 Steps for Tackling an AP Euro DBQ Example

Writing a full-length DBQ essay can be a daunting task, but breaking it into smaller steps will help it seem more manageable and can make your writing more organized. Here are six steps to follow when writing your AP Euro DBQ essay.

#1: Break Down the Prompt

Your first step should always be to read the prompt that you need to answer. Mark it up or read it a few times, if necessary, to make sure you really understand what's being asked. For the 2021 prompt, "Evaluate whether or not British imperial rule in India during the 1800s was primarily influenced by liberalism," you might rewrite some of it in your own words, something like, "British rule in India: liberalism?" Whatever works for you.

Once you have a solid grasp of the prompt, you'll be much more focused when reading the documents because you'll know what information to be looking out for.

#2: Look Through the Documents

You can spend as much or as little time reading the documents for the AP Euro DBQ as you'd like, although 15 minutes is recommended for reading time. Depending on the length of the documents and your speed reading skills, that may or may not be enough time to read them all the way through. Some skimming might be necessary.

You'll also need to do more than just read through the documents: quick, targeted notes will help organize the documents and your thoughts. For each document, jot down a few bullet points, covering things like who it was written by, when it was written, and what its main 1-3 points related to the prompt are. This will make it easier to see patterns in the documents which will be necessary when you write your thesis in the next step.

#3: Write Your Thesis

Your thesis is the most important sentence in your DBQ essay: it's the main point of your essay and what everything else you write hinges upon. A good thesis will make a claim, respond to the prompt, and lay out what you will discuss in your essay. Suppose you are responding to a prompt about women's suffrage (suffrage is the right to vote, for those of you who haven't gotten to that unit in class yet): "Analyze the responses to the women's suffrage movement in the United Kingdom."

Included among your documents, you have a letter from a suffragette passionately explaining why she feels women should have the vote, a copy of a suffragette's speech at a women's meeting, a letter from one politician to another debating the pros and cons of suffrage, and a political cartoon displaying the death of society and the end of the ‘natural' order at the hands of female voters.

An effective thesis might be something like, "Though ultimately successful, the women's suffrage movement sharply divided the United Kingdom between those who believed women's suffrage was unnatural and those who believed it was an inherent right of women." This thesis answers the question and clearly states the two responses to suffrage that are going to be analyzed in the essay.

#4: Outline Your Essay

After you know your thesis, you may be tempted to dive right in, but creating an essay outline can end up saving you time and making your DBQ essay much clearer and more organized. Once you get good at outlining, you should be able to come up with one in roughly five minutes so you still have plenty of time to write the essay.

Here's a sample DBQ outline:

• Introduction
• Thesis. The most important part of your intro! It should be the last sentence of your introduction paragraph.
• Body 1 - contextual information
• Any outside historical/contextual information
• Body 2 - First point
• Documents & analysis that support the first point
• If three body paragraphs: use about three documents, do deeper analysis on two
• Body 3 - Second point
• Documents & analysis that support the second point
• Use about three documents, do deeper analysis on two
• Be sure to mention your outside example if you have not done so yet!
• Body 4 (optional) - Third point
• Documents and analysis that support third point
• Restate thesis
• Draw a comparison to another time period or situation (synthesis)

Your ideal outline may include more or less information, so try out a few different ones as you work through AP Euro DBQ example questions to see which works best for you and still allows you to finish the essay on time.

#5: Start Writing!

Now it's time to get writing! If you've kept to 15 minutes for the reading period and 5 minutes for creating your outline, you'll have 40 minutes to write the essay . With an intro, conclusion, and four body paragraphs, that gives you about 6.5 minutes per paragraph --not much time, but doable if you keep your paragraphs short and to the point, which you want to be doing anyway! Remember to refer to the documents but also do more than just repeat what they say. Including your own analysis is key. If you find yourself doing a lot of "Source A says blah, and Source B says blah, and Source C says blah..." make sure you are using the documents to make a point , and not letting the documents use you.

#6: Review Your Essay

You may not have time to do this, of course, but even if you only have an extra minute or two at the end of the section, a quick readthrough can help you spot and fix any glaring errors or omissions. Graders won't dock you points over a misspelling or two, but keeping things as clear as possible makes it easier for them to see the point you're making, which in turn makes it easier for them to award you points. Basically, you want to use every minute you have in this section of the AP Euro exam, so don't let a few extra minutes at the end go to waste if you can use them to add a little final shine to your DBQ essay.

4 Tips for Your AP Euro DBQ Practice

You're now well prepared for the AP Euro DBQ, but a couple extra tips never hurt! Keep these four in mind throughout your studying and on test day.

#1: Find High-Quality Practice Questions

One of the best ways to measure your progress and learn which areas you need to focus on is to take practice exams. There are a lot of AP Euro History practice tests available; however, some are higher-quality than others. Taking a poorly written practice exam can cause you to study the wrong things and give you an inaccurate picture of what the real AP exam will be like. 

Official practice exams are those that have been created by the College Board (the organization that develops and administers all AP exams). Here are the AP Euro free-response questions they've made available:

2021 free-response questions

1999-2019 free-response questions

These include old prompts for both the DBQ and the long essay, as well as answer explanations. The most recent questions will be the most helpful, particularly those from 2018 and later, since AP Euro underwent its last significant changes in 2018. However, older questions can still give you a sense of what AP Euro free-response questions will look like.

#2: Always Keep Track of Time

Time constraints are one of the toughest parts of the AP exam, including the DBQ. You can have all the information and skills you need to write an amazing essay, but if you run out of time halfway through, you won't get a high score. That's why it's crucial to always watch your time.

Part II of the AP Euro exam lasts for a total of 100 minutes, during which time you'll need to write two essays, the DBQ and the long essay. For the DBQ, it's recommended that you spend 15 minutes reading over the documents and 45 minutes writing your DBQ essay. The proctor may note when you have a certain amount of time left, but no one will make you finish your DBQ and move to the long essay at a certain time, so spending too much time on the DBQ can cause you to run out of time on the long essay as well. 

#3: Be an Active Reader, Not a Passive Reader

Many students, especially if they don't have a lot of experience with DBQs, will spend the 15 minutes of recommended reading time reading every word of each of the documents, then, when it comes time to begin writing their essay, have no idea how to craft an essay around all that information they just took in. This is one of the reasons DBQs can be so tricky.

So, how to avoid this problem? Don't just read through the documents. Instead, mark them up: underlining and circling important parts and jotting down helpful notes. We recommend reading the essay prompt before you begin reading the documents. Once you have a good handle on the prompt, then you can skim through the documents, focusing on the parts that relate most to the prompt.  

The DBQ prompt for 2020 was, "Evaluate whether or not the Catholic Church in the 1600s was opposed to new ideas in science." So, when going through the documents, the key thing you're going to want to be making note of is whether each document seems to support or disprove the Catholic Church being opposed to new ideas in science. Your notes for this can be as little as a plus or minus sign next to the document, or you can do some short bullet points (we'd recommend no more than three per document) that give an overview of the main viewpoint. If you actively read the documents, starting to write the essay is much easier because you can clearly see the cases the documents make and, therefore, how to make your own case.

#4: Remember to Cite the Sources

The final tip to keep in mind, which will make a big difference in your DBQ essay quality, is integrating document citations into your essay. You want to be able to reference the information in the documents in a clear, concise way that doesn't take too much of your time but makes it easy for graders to see where you're getting your facts from (as well as how well you're making use of the documents).

To do this, we recommend using the author or title of the document to identify a document rather than writing "Document A." So instead of writing "Document A describes the riot as...," you might say, "In Sven Svenson's description of the riot…"

When you quote a document directly without otherwise identifying it, you may want to include a parenthetical citation. For example, you might write, "The strikers were described as ‘valiant and true' by the working class citizens of the city (Document E)." Doing this throughout your DBQ essay will make it easier for graders to understand the major points you're making.

Summary: AP Euro Document-Based Question

Once you know what to expect from the AP Euro DBQ, it becomes one of the more straightforward parts of the AP exam. The AP Euro DBQ consists of a prompt that asks you to evaluate a statement, and it's followed by about seven documents. You'll need to mention at least six of those documents in your essay. Reviewing the AP Euro DBQ rubric can help you see where points are gained and lost, and running through AP Euro DBQ example questions is a great way to feel more comfortable with this essay. Review your course material over the school year and write several AP Euro practice DBQs to put yourself in a great place on exam day.

What's Next?

Interested in learning more about the AP Euro exam?  Our in-depth guide to the AP European History text explains everything you need to know!

Now that you better understand how hard AP Euro will be for you, get your hands on the best practice materials available!  Check out our guide on the best AP Euro practice tests and quizzes to help with your studying. 

Is AP Euro hard? How tough are the class and exam compared to other APs? We break down the five key factors in determining how hard is AP European History.  

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, what's a dbq essay and how do i write one.

Hey everyone, my history teacher just assigned us to write a DBQ essay, but I'm not exactly sure what that means. Can someone explain what a DBQ essay is and possibly give some tips or guidelines on how to approach it? Thanks in advance!

A DBQ (Document-Based Question) essay is a type of essay commonly found in history exams like Advanced Placement (AP) courses or on standardized tests. The main goal of a DBQ essay is to analyze and interpret a set of documents provided to you, incorporating the evidence from these documents into a coherent and well-structured argument. The documents can include a variety of materials such as texts, images, maps, or charts. Here are some steps to guide you through the process of writing a DBQ essay:

1. Understand the prompt: Before diving into the documents, make sure you thoroughly read and understand the prompt. Identify the historical context, key themes, and any specific instructions the question provides. Knowing what the question asks will help you focus your analysis.

2. Examine the documents: You'll typically receive 5-7 documents to analyze for your essay. Read and analyze each document carefully, noting the author, historical context, and intended audience. Pay close attention to any bias or perspective presented and think about how the documents relate to the prompt.

3. Develop a thesis statement: Your thesis statement should clearly state your argument and address the prompt. It should be specific, concise, and take a position that can be supported with evidence from the documents.

4. Organize your thoughts: Create an outline for your essay, organizing your thoughts and evidence into a logical sequence. Make sure your argument flows coherently, and your points relate to one another. Group the documents into major themes or categories based on their content.

5. Write your essay: Start with an introduction paragraph that provides context for the time period and introduces your thesis statement. In the body paragraphs, discuss each document and tie it back to your thesis. Make sure to reference the document's author, title, or other relevant information. Use outside knowledge, where appropriate, to provide additional context or evidence. Balance your analysis of the documents with your own perspective and arguments.

6. Write a conclusion: Sum up your arguments, restate your thesis, and provide a closing thought. The conclusion should provide a sense of closure and effectively wrap up your essay.

7. Proofread: Read through your essay carefully, checking for grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes. Make sure your arguments are clear and well-supported, and your essay is logically organized.

Remember that practice makes perfect! If you're new to DBQ essays, try working through a few practice prompts and sets of documents to familiarize yourself with the format and expectations. Good luck!

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The Byzantine Empire Dbq

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