Point of View on Point of View on the DBQthe DBQ

How to Analyze Point of View How to Analyze Point of View (POV) Effectively (POV) Effectively

When studying historical sources you When studying historical sources you need to be aware of documents’ need to be aware of documents’ sources and their authors’ points of sources and their authors’ points of view.  The Document Based Question view.  The Document Based Question (DBQ) rubric requires you to analyze (DBQ) rubric requires you to analyze point of view in the documents point of view in the documents

Basic Core #5 from the DBQ Rubric: Basic Core #5 from the DBQ Rubric: “ “The student analyzes The student analyzes point of viewpoint of view or or

bias in at least three documents.”bias in at least three documents.”

What is P.O.V.?What is P.O.V.?It is one’s perspective toward a particular It is one’s perspective toward a particular person or issue that has been shaped over person or issue that has been shaped over a period of time due to one’s…a period of time due to one’s…

experiences or motivesexperiences or motivesrace / ethnic orignsrace / ethnic orignsnationalitynationalityclass statusclass statusideological positionideological positiongendergender

Analyzing Point of ViewAnalyzing Point of View

Students often mistakenly feel documents Students often mistakenly feel documents in a DBQ are restatements of historical in a DBQ are restatements of historical facts; they often do not critique the facts; they often do not critique the documents for bias, accepting the documents for bias, accepting the statements at face value and as absolutely statements at face value and as absolutely accurate. accurate.

In order to effectively analyze point of In order to effectively analyze point of view, the student must treat the view, the student must treat the documents as personal interpretations and documents as personal interpretations and not facts.not facts.

Analyzing POVAnalyzing POV

1. The first question you should ask yourself 1. The first question you should ask yourself when analyzing the author’s POV is “when analyzing the author’s POV is “whowho produced the document?” – gender, age, produced the document?” – gender, age, ethnicity, social status, religion, ethnicity, social status, religion, intellectual beliefs, etc. intellectual beliefs, etc.

exampleexample: an English historian writing : an English historian writing about Indian independence vs. an Indian about Indian independence vs. an Indian nationalist writing about Indian nationalist writing about Indian independence vs. a Pakistani Muslim independence vs. a Pakistani Muslim writing about Indian independence.writing about Indian independence.

Source:  Isocrates, Greek philosopher; Source:  Isocrates, Greek philosopher; description of Artaxerxes II, a Persian king description of Artaxerxes II, a Persian king who gained control over Greek city-states in who gained control over Greek city-states in 387 BCE387 BCE

“He is a despot to whose course we sail to “He is a despot to whose course we sail to accuse each other.  We call him the Great accuse each other.  We call him the Great King, as though we were subject prisoners of King, as though we were subject prisoners of war, and if we engage in war with each other, war, and if we engage in war with each other, it is on him that our hopes are set, though he it is on him that our hopes are set, though he would destroy both sides without hesitation.”would destroy both sides without hesitation.”

POV - SpeakerPOV - Speaker

As a Greek, Isocrates would have ill-As a Greek, Isocrates would have ill-will towards his conquerors and will towards his conquerors and would thus be inclined to describe would thus be inclined to describe him harshly with such terms as him harshly with such terms as “despot” or “subject prisoners of “despot” or “subject prisoners of war” and “without hesitation.” war” and “without hesitation.”

Analyzing POVAnalyzing POV2. The second question you should ask yourself is 2. The second question you should ask yourself is

“who was the “who was the intended audienceintended audience?” – written ?” – written privately, written to be read/heard by others privately, written to be read/heard by others (who?), official document for a ruler to read, (who?), official document for a ruler to read, commissioned painting, etc. commissioned painting, etc.

Generally, a speaker chooses a particular Generally, a speaker chooses a particular audience because audience because that audience has the that audience has the power or capability to accomplish what power or capability to accomplish what the speaker wants. the speaker wants.

The intended audience can affect the The intended audience can affect the document’s reliability.document’s reliability.

exampleexample: diary entry or personal letter vs. : diary entry or personal letter vs. public proclamation/decreepublic proclamation/decree

Source:  Emperor Qianlong, Qing Emperor Source:  Emperor Qianlong, Qing Emperor of China, addressing the British sovereign.of China, addressing the British sovereign.

You, O King, from afar have yearned after You, O King, from afar have yearned after the blessings of our civilization, and in your the blessings of our civilization, and in your eagerness to come into touch with our eagerness to come into touch with our converting influence have sent an converting influence have sent an Embassy.  Your Ambassador has put Embassy.  Your Ambassador has put forward requests which completely fail to forward requests which completely fail to recognize the Throne’s principle to ‘treat recognize the Throne’s principle to ‘treat strangers from afar with indulgence,’ and to strangers from afar with indulgence,’ and to exercise a pacifying control over barbarian exercise a pacifying control over barbarian tribes the world over. Nevertheless, I do not tribes the world over. Nevertheless, I do not forget the lonely remoteness of your island, forget the lonely remoteness of your island, cut off from the world. I have therefore cut off from the world. I have therefore commanded my minister to enlighten your commanded my minister to enlighten your Ambassador on the subject.Ambassador on the subject.

POV - AudiencePOV - Audience

When addressing what in his mind was an inferior When addressing what in his mind was an inferior culture, Qianlong condescends:  “the lonely culture, Qianlong condescends:  “the lonely remoteness of your island, cut off from the remoteness of your island, cut off from the world.”  world.” 

The speaker and his/her audience can also affect The speaker and his/her audience can also affect the the TONETONE of the document: of the document:

Qianlong’s belief that Chinese civilization was Qianlong’s belief that Chinese civilization was superior to all others is indicated in his use of superior to all others is indicated in his use of phrases such as “the blessings of our civilization,” phrases such as “the blessings of our civilization,” “our converting influence,” “barbarian tribes” etc.“our converting influence,” “barbarian tribes” etc.

Analyzing POVAnalyzing POV

3. The third question, as any good 3. The third question, as any good attorney knows, would be attorney knows, would be ““why?why?””

What is the What is the MOTIVEMOTIVE of the author of of the author of the document? What is it they want to the document? What is it they want to accomplish? Is there anything they accomplish? Is there anything they would like to change? Do they stand to would like to change? Do they stand to benefit somehow? benefit somehow?

Source:   Marx and Engel’s Communist Source:   Marx and Engel’s Communist Manifesto in 1848 Manifesto in 1848

“The bourgeoisie has put an end to all “The bourgeoisie has put an end to all feudal, patriarchal, idyllic relations.  It has feudal, patriarchal, idyllic relations.  It has pitilessly torn asunder the motley feudal pitilessly torn asunder the motley feudal ties that bound man to his ‘natural ties that bound man to his ‘natural superior,’ and has left remaining no other superior,’ and has left remaining no other nexus [link] between man and man than nexus [link] between man and man than naked self-interest, than callous ‘cash naked self-interest, than callous ‘cash payment.’  It has drowned the most payment.’  It has drowned the most heavenly of ecstasies of religious fervor, of heavenly of ecstasies of religious fervor, of chivalrous enthusiasm in the icy water of chivalrous enthusiasm in the icy water of egotistical calculation.  In one word, for egotistical calculation.  In one word, for exploitation, veiled by religious and political exploitation, veiled by religious and political illusions, it has substituted naked, illusions, it has substituted naked, shameless, direct, brutal exploitation.”shameless, direct, brutal exploitation.”

POV - PurposePOV - Purpose

Marx and Engel are trying to inspire Marx and Engel are trying to inspire a revolution and therefore are trying a revolution and therefore are trying to arouse negative feelings about the to arouse negative feelings about the bourgeoisie and capitalism in general bourgeoisie and capitalism in general by describing them with such words by describing them with such words as “pitiless,” “egotistical” and as “pitiless,” “egotistical” and “exploitation.” “exploitation.”

SPEAKERSPEAKER Who is the speaker or producer? What can you tell me Who is the speaker or producer? What can you tell me about his background? How might his personal about his background? How might his personal background have influenced his work?background have influenced his work?

OCCASIONOCCASION Where and when was the document produced? What Where and when was the document produced? What was happening during the time the document was was happening during the time the document was written? This is often called historical context. How written? This is often called historical context. How might this have influenced the writer?might this have influenced the writer?

AUDIENCEAUDIENCE For whom was the document written/produced? How For whom was the document written/produced? How might an audience have received this document and might an audience have received this document and why?why?

PURPOSEPURPOSE Why was the document produced? What did the Why was the document produced? What did the producer hope to accomplish through his words?producer hope to accomplish through his words?

SUBJECTSUBJECT What is the main topic or idea of the document? Be What is the main topic or idea of the document? Be able to summarize the main idea in one sentence and no able to summarize the main idea in one sentence and no more. more.

TONETONE What feeling or attitude does this document express? What feeling or attitude does this document express? Use descriptive adjectives and adverbs. Use descriptive adjectives and adverbs.

SOAPS-ToneSOAPS-Tone

Analyzing Point of ViewAnalyzing Point of View

More Good Examples of More Good Examples of P.O.V.P.O.V.

““Balthasar Rusow, as a Lutheran Pastor, was Balthasar Rusow, as a Lutheran Pastor, was naturally upset by the celebration of a saints naturally upset by the celebration of a saints day because Lutherans don’t venerate saints.”day because Lutherans don’t venerate saints.”

““Since Benjamin Disraeli was writing a speech Since Benjamin Disraeli was writing a speech to the House of Commons, he probably chose to the House of Commons, he probably chose his words carefully to persuade members to his words carefully to persuade members to support his political agenda.”support his political agenda.”

““It is not surprising that the resolution from the It is not surprising that the resolution from the German Social Democratic Party Congress was German Social Democratic Party Congress was extremely critical of the capitalist agenda.”extremely critical of the capitalist agenda.”

Including P.O.V. in Your Including P.O.V. in Your EssayEssay

Each time you include point of view Each time you include point of view analysis in your essay, you will write a analysis in your essay, you will write a two two sentencesentence combination. combination.

We need to learn this combinationWe need to learn this combination

A.S.A.P.!A.S.A.P.!

A.S.A.P.!A.S.A.P.!

AAttributettribute

SSourceource

AAnalyze nalyze

PP.O.V..O.V.

11stst sentence: Attribute the sentence: Attribute the Source!Source!

The background information about the author is The background information about the author is always given to you in the “box” of the documentalways given to you in the “box” of the document

A. Name of the personA. Name of the person

B. Time period when he/she livedB. Time period when he/she lived

C. Profession or social positionC. Profession or social position

D. GenderD. Gender

You must use this info to connect the author’s You must use this info to connect the author’s personal background to their point of view. This is personal background to their point of view. This is the easy part since this information is already the easy part since this information is already given to you!given to you!

Example…Example…Information about the author given to you.

Attribute the source: your first sentence should include the author’s personal background and what he believes.

Information about the author given to you.

Read the source information first – what can you determine about the author before reading the document?

Example Attribution Sentence:

“Thomas Muntzer, a German preacher and theologian during the 16th century, believed that the peasants would be justified in overthrowing the rule of their princes and lords (doc.6).”

22ndnd sentence: Analyze the sentence: Analyze the POV!POV!

After you have written your attribution After you have written your attribution sentence, you are ready for the next sentence, you are ready for the next step: step: Analyzing the author’s POVAnalyzing the author’s POV: :

Why do they have a particular opinion?Why do they have a particular opinion?

How is the author’s point of view How is the author’s point of view influenced by their occupation or influenced by their occupation or background?background?

Is the source reliable? Why or why not?Is the source reliable? Why or why not?

Let’s finish our example:

“Thomas Muntzer, a German preacher and theologian during the 16th century, believed that the peasants would be justified in overthrowing the rule of their princes and lords (doc.6).”

Despite the fact that Muntzer is a Christian preacher who may feel sympathy for the plight of poor peasants, he would most likely feel a greater sense of anger for the destruction of the abbeys and want to encourage uprisings against the princes to gain revenge for their offenses. Further, Muntzer may stand to gain more power in his parish if the political authority of the lords were reduced.

Interesting fact: Thomas Müntzer was an early Reformation-era German theologian and Anabaptist. He turned against Martin Luther and became a rebel leader during the Peasants' War. During the rebellion Müntzer and his farmers were defeated. He was captured, tortured and decapitated.

A.S.A.P.A.S.A.P.

When you put your attribution sentence When you put your attribution sentence and analysis sentence together, you and analysis sentence together, you connect the author’s background to connect the author’s background to their opinion or point of view.their opinion or point of view.

As a historian you are then in a position to As a historian you are then in a position to evaluate how much you “trust” the evaluate how much you “trust” the information in the document.information in the document.

SourceSource: Pope Urban II, at the Council of : Pope Urban II, at the Council of Clermont, calling for the first Crusade, Clermont, calling for the first Crusade, November, 1095.November, 1095.

“ “Your brethren who live in the Middle East Your brethren who live in the Middle East are in urgent need of your help… For, as are in urgent need of your help… For, as most of you have heard, the Turks and the most of you have heard, the Turks and the Arabs have attacked them and have Arabs have attacked them and have conquered the territory of the Byzantine conquered the territory of the Byzantine Empire… They have occupied more and Empire… They have occupied more and more of the lands of the Christians…They more of the lands of the Christians…They have killed and captured many, and have have killed and captured many, and have destroyed the churches and devastated the destroyed the churches and devastated the Empire…”Empire…”

Another Example Another Example DocumentDocument

A.S.A.P. Example:A.S.A.P. Example:

Pope Urban II, leader of the Roman Catholic Pope Urban II, leader of the Roman Catholic Church during the 11Church during the 11thth century, century, characterized Muslims in the Middle East as characterized Muslims in the Middle East as destructive and hostile peoples destructive and hostile peoples (doc.4)(doc.4). .

Obviously, as Pope, he would want to Obviously, as Pope, he would want to portray the Arabs as warlike in order to gain portray the Arabs as warlike in order to gain support for a Crusade to liberate and support for a Crusade to liberate and restore Christian title to the “Holy Land”, restore Christian title to the “Holy Land”, which would increase his political and which would increase his political and religious authority in addition to providing religious authority in addition to providing the Church with increased tax revenue from the Church with increased tax revenue from lucrative eastern trade routes.lucrative eastern trade routes.

When Writing Point of ViewWhen Writing Point of View

1.1. Make at least THREE attempts at P.O.V. Make at least THREE attempts at P.O.V. (preferably five or more).(preferably five or more).

2.2. Choose Choose OBVIOUSOBVIOUS documents in your documents in your P.O.V. attemptsP.O.V. attempts

3.3. Begin with a formulaic sentence if Begin with a formulaic sentence if necessary…necessary…

““It is not surprising that Source X would make It is not surprising that Source X would make this statement because . . .”this statement because . . .”

““Person X most likely has this opinion due to the Person X most likely has this opinion due to the fact that he/she is …”fact that he/she is …”

““Obviously because of his [occupation, gender, Obviously because of his [occupation, gender, class, religion, nationality, political position, class, religion, nationality, political position, ethnic identity] … he would most likely have this ethnic identity] … he would most likely have this opinion.”opinion.”

““Because Document 5 is a diary entry, the author Because Document 5 is a diary entry, the author is most likely not seeking to gain publicity or is most likely not seeking to gain publicity or influence opinions.”influence opinions.”

POV Formulaic Phrases

If you get stuck - remember the If you get stuck - remember the word word

OBVIOUSLY!OBVIOUSLY!

A Final Note on Bias vs. A Final Note on Bias vs. POVPOV

Bias or point of view is not inherently Bias or point of view is not inherently “bad.”“bad.”

EVERYBODY has a point of view, which EVERYBODY has a point of view, which usually affects their description or usually affects their description or perception of an event at least subtly.perception of an event at least subtly.

Generally Point of View is not deliberately Generally Point of View is not deliberately (or even unconsciously) inaccurate or (or even unconsciously) inaccurate or misleading, just not quite completely misleading, just not quite completely 100% neutral, maybe implying a little 100% neutral, maybe implying a little more weight on one side of a question, or more weight on one side of a question, or leaving a possible alternative perspective.leaving a possible alternative perspective.

Bias vs. POVBias vs. POV

Bias, on the other hand, is a point of view Bias, on the other hand, is a point of view taken far enough to be actually false or taken far enough to be actually false or misleading, whether conscious or misleading, whether conscious or unconscious, (to include fraud) and unconscious, (to include fraud) and therefore if bias is suspected then the therefore if bias is suspected then the entire document becomes somewhat entire document becomes somewhat suspect.suspect.

I believe that very few, if any, of the I believe that very few, if any, of the documents on the DBQ have any real documents on the DBQ have any real bias, but they all do have a point of view. bias, but they all do have a point of view.