2. 2
Document-based questions (DBQs)Document-based questions (DBQs)
require you to do several things well. . .require you to do several things well. . .
You must understand the prompt and come upYou must understand the prompt and come up
with anwith an “answer” that will be your thesis (AP =“answer” that will be your thesis (AP =
Answer the Prompt).Answer the Prompt).
You must come up with a list of evidence—You must come up with a list of evidence—
names, dates, treaties, battles, significantnames, dates, treaties, battles, significant
events, etc.—that connect to the time period.events, etc.—that connect to the time period.
You must useYou must use mostmost of the documents that areof the documents that are
provided.provided.
You must write a clearly organized and well-You must write a clearly organized and well-
written essay.written essay.
3. 3
General information about theGeneral information about the
documentsdocuments
All of the documents will be relevant to theAll of the documents will be relevant to the
topic.topic.
Sometimes the date or the author in the sourceSometimes the date or the author in the source
notation may be significant.notation may be significant.
The documents are generally presentedThe documents are generally presented
chronologically.chronologically.
Pay special attention to cartoons, charts, &Pay special attention to cartoons, charts, &
graphs.graphs.
4. 4
Tip #1Tip #1
Read the prompt thoroughly several times.Read the prompt thoroughly several times.
Make sure you fully understand the wholeMake sure you fully understand the whole
prompt.prompt.
Identify the time period you are dealing with.Identify the time period you are dealing with.
BrainstormBrainstorm
– write down all of the relevant information you canwrite down all of the relevant information you can
think of BEFORE reading the documents.think of BEFORE reading the documents.
Sketch an outline of how your essay will beSketch an outline of how your essay will be
structured. . .structured. . .
5. Sample PromptSample Prompt
From 1775 to 1830, many AfricanFrom 1775 to 1830, many African
Americans gained freedom from slavery,Americans gained freedom from slavery,
yet during the same period the institution ofyet during the same period the institution of
slavery expanded. Explain why BOTH ofslavery expanded. Explain why BOTH of
those changes took place. Analyze the waysthose changes took place. Analyze the ways
that BOTH free African Americans andthat BOTH free African Americans and
enslaved African Americans responded toenslaved African Americans responded to
the challenges confronting them.the challenges confronting them.
5
6. 6
Tip # 2Tip # 2
Quickly read all of the documents.Quickly read all of the documents.
As you go, indicate where on your essayAs you go, indicate where on your essay
“outline” they will go.“outline” they will go.
Remember to consider the dates in theRemember to consider the dates in the
source material.source material.
Underline any unusual phrases.Underline any unusual phrases.
Jot down any quick summary thoughtsJot down any quick summary thoughts
about the documents as you read.about the documents as you read.
7. 7
Tip #2 (continued)Tip #2 (continued)
Look carefully atLook carefully at
political cartoons.political cartoons.
Pay attention to anyPay attention to any
small print.small print.
Jot down a quickJot down a quick
summary of what thesummary of what the
cartoon is trying to tellcartoon is trying to tell
you.you.
8. 8
Tip #2 (continued)Tip #2 (continued)
Graphs and charts areGraphs and charts are
important, look atimportant, look at
them carefully.them carefully.
Note the dates.Note the dates.
Notice that theyNotice that they
frequently showfrequently show
change over time.change over time.
Jot down a quickJot down a quick
summary of what theysummary of what they
indicate.indicate.
9. 9
Tip #2 (continued)Tip #2 (continued)
Notice dates, especially on pictures.Notice dates, especially on pictures.
The picture on the left is dated 1915; the picture on theThe picture on the left is dated 1915; the picture on the
right is dated 1919.right is dated 1919.
What had changed for working women in those years?What had changed for working women in those years?
Why?Why?
10. 10
Tip # 2 (continued)Tip # 2 (continued)
Look very carefully atLook very carefully at
data presented indata presented in
charts.charts.
Look forLook for
– trends,trends,
– forfor changes over timechanges over time,,
– forfor sudden changessudden changes..
Summarize what theSummarize what the
chart tells you in achart tells you in a
quick sentence.quick sentence.
11. 11
Having read the documents. . .Having read the documents. . .
Go back and add the documents to your essayGo back and add the documents to your essay
outline.outline.
Remember, you must use outside informationRemember, you must use outside information
AND the documents to respond to the essayAND the documents to respond to the essay
prompt.prompt.
Make sure that you have both—outsideMake sure that you have both—outside
information and documents—to support eachinformation and documents—to support each
point of your essay.point of your essay.
12. 12
This document appeared in the 1999This document appeared in the 1999
DBQ. Notice the source note.DBQ. Notice the source note.
13. 13
The most significant thing about this documentThe most significant thing about this document
is the date, 1754, in the source note.is the date, 1754, in the source note.
This document was intended to bring to mindThis document was intended to bring to mind
the following:the following:
– The 1754 meeting of the London Board of Trade,The 1754 meeting of the London Board of Trade,
– Benjamin Franklin, printer from Philadelphia andBenjamin Franklin, printer from Philadelphia and
colonial agent,colonial agent,
– FranklinFranklin’s Albany Plan of Union,’s Albany Plan of Union,
– The Albany Plan of UnionThe Albany Plan of Union’s provisions for a’s provisions for a
colonial legislature,colonial legislature,
– The ultimate failure of the colonies to accept theThe ultimate failure of the colonies to accept the
Albany Plan of Union in 1754.Albany Plan of Union in 1754.
14. 14
This document might be used like this:This document might be used like this:
An excellent indication that the coloniesAn excellent indication that the colonies
were unwilling to act together in a unified way iswere unwilling to act together in a unified way is
their failure to accept Franklintheir failure to accept Franklin’s plan for a’s plan for a
colonial legislature as put forth in his 1754colonial legislature as put forth in his 1754
Albany Plan of Union. Political cartoons at theAlbany Plan of Union. Political cartoons at the
time expressed Franklin’s contention that thetime expressed Franklin’s contention that the
colonies must act together or “die” (A). Yetcolonies must act together or “die” (A). Yet
very few of the colonial assemblies were willingvery few of the colonial assemblies were willing
to accept this contention.to accept this contention.
15. 15
Here is a text passage from a recentHere is a text passage from a recent
DBQ and a sample essay reference:DBQ and a sample essay reference:
One of the most significant attempts to extend democratic idealsOne of the most significant attempts to extend democratic ideals
throughout society was that organized by the women's movement in the latethroughout society was that organized by the women's movement in the late
1840s. Meeting at Seneca Falls, NY, a group of women brought together by1840s. Meeting at Seneca Falls, NY, a group of women brought together by
Lucy Stone, Lucretia Mott, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton demanded their right toLucy Stone, Lucretia Mott, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton demanded their right to
vote and their right to be represented in the government (I). These are the mostvote and their right to be represented in the government (I). These are the most
fundamental and basic of rights in a genuinely democratic society.fundamental and basic of rights in a genuinely democratic society.
