Basic guidelines to writing the DBQ Essay

1. DBQ Essay
Guidelines

2. Document Annotation
•Don’t just summarize docs.
•Annotations should DIRECTLY reflect prompt
•In other words, ask yourself the prompt question with each
document.
•May be multiple themes/possible groups in one document.
•Not just “positive or negative”; may work sometimes but will
still need different categories “groups” of positive and
negative.
•Try to underline/circle supportive info./evidence in the docs.
during the annotation process.
•Also: address possible Point of View as you annotate docs.

3. Thesis
•Know what the prompt is asking.
•Must DIRECTLY reflect prompt!
•Use words from prompt; if prompt asks for
“responses” write “The responses were…”;
•if the prompt asks for “consequences” write “the
consequences were…”
•Add analysis; reason for(cause) or impact of
categories.
•Read thesis to make sure it matches prompt.

4. DBQ Thesis Writing Activity
Prompt: Analyze the various reactions to the spread of the
Black Death in Western Europe during the 14th century.
3 Groups (with analysis):
Hopelessness(not knowing cause or how to stop)
Assigned blame(in order to make sense of tragedy)
Embraced penance(in an attempt to avoid God’s punishment)
Steps: 1. restate prompt context; 2. identify each group “reaction” with analysis
Sample Analytical Thesis: The reactions to the spread of the
Black Death in Western Europe during the 14th century
included hopelessness, because people did not know the
cause of, or how to stop the plague , assigning blame, in order
to make sense of the tragedy, and finally, many embraced
penance in an attempt to avoid God’s punishment.

5. Point of View statement - POV
•3 Components to a POV statement; can be
one sentence
•Author/source
•The POV
•Reason for POV

6. Another skill you must demonstrate is an assessment
of the point of view (POV) represented in the
documents; in other words, why is this specific author
making this particular statement? Here you should
consider the following: in what way(s) does the class,
nationality, gender, official position, ideology, or other
characteristic of the author influence his or her
thinking on the topic at hand?

7. “In doc. 7, Jonathan Sampson, a native American,
voices a dislike towards Anglo Americans because his
family was murdered during the Black Kettle uprising”
”In doc. 5, Miguel Montez, a resident of the American
southwest, had a reaction of anger and resentment,
because his ancestor’s land was taken by American
soldiers during the Mexican American War. ”
Sample 1
Sample 2

8. “Count Wilhelm von Hennenberg, in a letter to Duke Albert of
Prussia, noted that nobles were surprised when peasants turned
from attacking priests and monks to the property of the nobility.
(doc. 11)”
Why unacceptable? This is merely attribution with no attempt at further analysis
beyond the stated information from the document itself; the statement does not
explain why Hennenberg held these views.
“Because this is a statement written by two preachers, it accurately
reflects the attitudes of the people during this time period. (doc. 5)”
Why unacceptable? Again, this is really just attribution, since the
statement makes no effort to explain how or why these two preachers
would be authoritative voices of the people.

9. Examples of ACCEPTABLE point-of-view analysis:
Relating authorial point of view to author’s place in society:
“Leonard von Eck, as a chancellor, would likely hold this view since as a government official he is
probably very concerned with preserving order and the stability of the political structure. (doc.
1)”
“Since Martin Luther had been deemed a heretic and was dependent upon local princes for
protection, it is not surprising that he would be so vehement in condemning events that many
linked to him and that were causing such civil unrest. (doc. 7)”
Evaluating the reliability of the source:
“Lichtenstein may not be a completely reliable source, however, since he was pleading his own
case and clearly had something to gain. (doc. 10)”
“Since Caspar Nutzel is a local government official writing to a superior, his acknowledgement of
“excessive” actions by authorities seems credible since it may have been somewhat risky to offer
criticism of authority during this time period. (doc. 9)”
Recognizing that different kinds of documents serve different purposes:
“It is important to note that Lorenz Fries is commenting in a secret report probably not meant
for publication; therefore, he is likely able to be more frank and honest than he might have been
in a public document. (doc. 8)”

10. Additional Document Statement
•3 components:
•Source from whom/what
•What type of info. desired
•Why would that information be helpful in
your analysis of the question?
“A report from a Roman military commander comparing the
service of Germanic soldiers and Roman soldiers could assist
in the identification and evaluation of the specific impacts of
increasing numbers of Germanic mercenaries, in the overall
decline of the Roman military.”

11. Critical Intro
“Count Wilhelm von Hennenberg, in a letter to Duke
Albert of Prussia, noted that nobles were surprised
when peasants turned from attacking priests and
monks to the property of the nobility. (doc. 11)”
Why is this not an appropriate analytical Point of View
Statement?