DBQWriting

Workshop!

Name:_______________________________

What is a DBQ?

DBQ stands for Document Based Question

Documents can be charts, graphs, speeches, readings, photographs, political cartoons, diagrams, artwork, or diary entry.

They can be primary or secondary sources. Each DBQ essay will have different types of documents on it.

DBQ’s require you to answer questions about each document and then write an essay. The essay will include details, facts, and examples from the documents.

WHY DO WE WRITE DBQs?

DBQs are used in social studies classes to help you better understand a time period. In a DBQ question, you use primary and secondary sources to analyze or interpret an event or topic in history. Instead of writing an essay based only on information you know, you get the chance to include some of this information into your essay. COOL HUH? This skill will help you in the future too, in a lot of jobs you have to take a pile of information, process it, and then write a report about it or come up with a solution!

Steps to complete a DBQStep 1 – Read all parts of the TASK. Highlight the key words.

Step 2 – Read historical context in the question.

Step 3 - Read through the documents. Use reading strategies to help you! Answer the questions that follow each document. Highlight and number for each question.

Step 4 – Write your thesis statement based on the TASK!

Step 5 – Fill-in the planning page. The planning page needs to have details, facts, examples from the documents and additional information and details you already know!

- Write a topic sentence for each box based on the bullets in the TASK!- Go through each document and ask yourself: Which bullet in the task does this

help answer?

- For each box on the planning page: Fill-in details, facts, examples, and statistics from the documents.

- Fill-in what you know about the topic in the outside information box. Remember, this is information that was not in a document. Use your notes to help you!

Step 6 – Write your introduction and make sure your thesis is the last sentence.

Step 7 - Write your first body paragraph using your planning page as a guide. Be sure to use transition words at the beginning of your topic sentence.

Step 8 – Write your second body paragraph and any other remaining paragraphs.

Step 9 – Write your conclusion. Be sure to start it with a transition word and a restatement of your thesis.

Step 10 – Check your work! Be sure you have cited your document information, used analysis, incorporated transition words, and used proper grammar and spelling. You can use the DBQ checklist to help you. There is a sample checklist at the end of this packet.

Reading Strategies for SuccessBackground: Reading strategies can help you save time and get the right answers to questions.

Strategy 1- Read the questions and captions first. Highlight main ideas.

Strategy 2 - When looking for answers in documents, they usually go in order. Highlight and number them as you find them. For example: Place a number 1 next to the answer to question 1.

Strategy 3 – Star information that you think might help you write your essay. Write where you think you would want to use it.

Strategy 4 – Use symbols to label important information in the margins. You can use the ones below or you can make up your own!

Symbol What it means?* ImportantI Detail for introduction

BP 1 Detail for body paragraph 1BP 2 Detail for body paragraph 2

C Detail for conclusion

Strategy 5 – Highlight the answers to the questions in each document. You can also number which question it answers.

Example:

“We slept in the chief’s cabin, and on the following day we took leave of him, promising to pass again by his village, within four moons. He conducted us to our canoes, with nearly 600 persons who witnessed our embarkation, giving us every possible sign of the joy that our visit had caused them. For my own part, I promised … that I would come the following year, and reside with them to instruct them.”

- Jacques Marquette, quoted in The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents

Question 1: According to Marquette, how were he and Joliet treated by the Native Americans?

Answer: Marquette and Joliet were treated nicely by the Native Americans. For example, the natives let them sleep in the chief’s cabin.

Constructed Response Questions

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#1

1. To obtain full credit, all document questions must be answered in complete sentences.

2. When you are unsure of an answer, give it your best guess. Do not leave questions blank.

3. Most answers to constructed response questions are found within the documents. Try to find the specific detail in the document. Some answers may not be found in the document. You may have to use your prior knowledge.

4. Highlight and number where you find the answers to the questions. For example, highlight the section of the document that answers question 1 and place a number 1 next to it.Sample Document

Ratification of the U.S. Constitution

Questions1. What is the title of this chart?

2. In what year did most states ratify the U.S. Constitution?

3. Which state was the last to ratify the Constitution?

Thesis StatementsHow to write one:

1. Look at the TASK or essay question to know what you need to write about.

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Thesis Statement: The main idea for the entire essay stated in one complete statement.

State DateDelaware 1787Pennsylva

nia1787

New Jersey 1787Georgia 1788

Connecticut

1788

State DateMassachusetts 1788

Maryland 1788South Carolina 1788

New Hampshire

1788

State DateVirginia 1788

New York 1788North Carolina 1788Rhode Island 1790

2. The thesis is the last sentence of your introduction and the first sentence of your conclusion.

3. You cannot use: “In this essay”, “this essay will talk about”, or “I will tell you”.Thesis Examples and Practice

Example 1Task: Discuss the two causes of the American Revolution.

Thesis: There were many causes of the American Revolution.

Upper-Level Thesis: The French and Indian war, mercantilism, and taxes on the colonists were all causes of the American Revolution.

Example 2

Task: Describe how the Iroquois adapted to their environment.

Thesis: The Iroquois Indians adapted to their environment in many ways.

Upper-Level Thesis: The Iroquois used their environment to build their shelter, make tools and weapons, and their clothing.

Your Turn!1. Task: Discuss the causes of the Protestant Reformation.

Thesis: _________________________________________________________

2. Task: Describe the effects of European colonization on the Americas.Thesis:__________________________________________________________

Planning PageBackground: The planning page is a very important part of your DBQ essay. It is critical to the development of the essay. It helps you organize the information from the documents as well as the information you know about the topic.

Resources to use: Whenever completing a planning page, you must use both your documents and your notes. Other handouts and your textbook may also be used.

Steps to take to complete a planning page:

1. Write your thesis from the task in the space provided.2. Each box should focus on one bullet from the Task. If there are 2 bullets in the

task, you would have 2 boxes on your planning page. 3. Each of these boxes will end up being one body paragraph for your essay.

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4. For each box:a. Write a topic sentenceb. Go through the documents; decide on if the document relates to the topic.c. If the document will help you prove your point, write down the details, facts,

examples from the documents that you can use.d. Write down other information that you know about the topic. This information

can come from class notes, discussions, handouts, and other books. This information is known as outside information.

e. Reminder: Your essay needs to have a combination or details from the documents as well as being richly supported with outside information. This outside information helps your essay provide additional details, facts, statistics, explanations, and connections.

Name:___________________ Date:__________DBQ Topic:_______________ Planning Page

Thesis statement based on the TASK:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 2 (1st body paragraph)

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Inside Information (from Docs)DOC #s

1st sentence based on the task (topic sentence for body paragraph)

Outside Information

Paragraph 3 (2nd body paragraph)

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Inside Information (from Docs)DOC #s Outside Information

Inside Information (from Docs)DOC #s

1st sentence based on the task (topic sentence for body paragraph)

Outside Information

Thesis Restatement for Conclusion:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

IntroductionsThe introduction is the first paragraph of every essay. It is your first chance to impress the reader. It always ends with the thesis statement.

1. The introduction should be 3-5 sentences long.2. Good introductions do not simply restate the task information. Also, you cannot

simply copy the historical context!3. There are a lot of different styles of introductions: historical, quotations,

definitions, facts and statistics or individual backgrounds. Explanations of each of these styles are on the following pages.

Helpful Hints for IntroductionsThere are many different ways to write an introduction. If you are stuck, try one of the ideas below to help get you started.

o Historical Background – Give background. Discuss information that occurred just before the event you are writing your essay on. For example: If the essay is about the American Revolution, you can write about the events that led up to the revolution.

o Quote – take something from the documents and explain it, this is the easiest way.

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Inside Information (from Docs)DOC #s Outside Information

o Definition – Explain concepts or definition words that will be part of the essay. Add definitions that maybe the average reader might not know!

Introduction mistakes to avoid

1. There should be no personal pronouns in the introduction. Do not say “I am going to talk about,” or “in this essay, I will discuss,” or anything like it. Save these for English essays when they ask your opinion!

2. The thesis sentences should not be the first sentence of your introduction. Some individuals think that a good intro simply puts the thesis statement first and rewords it until it is again last. This is not true. You will receive no credit for this. An example would be for the essay question: What were the causes of the American Revolution? If someone wrote the paragraph below, it would be a very poor introduction receiving no real credit.

Ex: The American Revolution had many causes. Some were big causes, and some were small causes. There were many causes of the American Revolution.

Ex2: The Revolutionary War was caused by many things. The war had many things that made it start. There were many causes of the American Revolution.

3. Remember: Always use the essay question (TASK) to write your thesis statement. Simply change the wording so that you can make it a

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statement by adding “there were many” or “in many ways” or something similar.

Be wise: Analyze!Analysis: Taking facts and drawing accurate conclusions from them.

This can be done by:

A. Organizing facts, details, statistics, and examples into sentences and paragraphs with like information.

B. Explaining how something happened, how something made a difference, how something brought about change, how something effected other people.

C. Telling why something occurred, why something is needed, why something led to something else.

D. Describing examples in detail, telling the step by step process of the event itself, identifying causes of the event, and explaining the short and long term effects or consequences of the event.

E. Comparing common issues throughout time. For example: You can compare the Civil Rights Movement and the Women’s Rights Movement

F. Remember: How? Why? Cause? Effect?

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Sample AnalysisDirections: Below you will see examples of statements that are descriptive statements. While these are good, you must make sure your give more than descriptive statements in DBQ. You must analyze information as well.

Example 1Descriptive Statement - The Great Plains Native Americans lived in tepees.

Analysis Statement - The Great Plains Native Americans were nomadic and followed the buffalo herds. They used buffalo skins and wooden poles to make their tepees. They needed a home that was easy to assemble and take down. They transported all of the belongings using a travois.

Let’s think about it: What part of the above statement tells why the Great Plains live in tepees? Which part tells how they make their homes? Which part tells you what tepees were made from?

Example 2

Descriptive Statement: The Iroquois lived in longhouses.

Analysis Statement: The Iroquois lived in longhouses made from wooden frames covered with elm bark. Men would gather sapling trees from the forest. Then, they would create a frame from those trees and cover the frame with elm bark. The bark covered homes held in the heat because they did not have windows. They curved the roof of the longhouse to prevent cave-ins during the winter months. In addition, their home was the center of family life. Several Iroquois families lived inside one longhouse.

Let’s think about it: What part of the analysis statement tells why the Iroquois lived in longhouses? Which part tells how they built them? Which part tells why they chose this type of home?

Citing your sources1. It is important to let your reader know where

you are getting your information from. In a 12

DBQ, your information comes from either the documents or your own personal knowledge of the subject. On the planning page, the terms “inside information” and “outside information” have been used. Inside information is from the documents!

2. You should always be asking if the document is a primary or a secondary source.

Types of documents:Document Add direct quotes of information that supports

what you are trying to proveJournal/Diary Add direct quotes from journal; explain the point

of view of the author. How does this information relate to the task?

Chart Add details, facts, statistics that supports what you are trying to prove. Explain how this information relates.

Graph Add details, facts, statistics that supports what you are trying to prove. Explain how this information relates.

Cartoons Explain the point of view of the political cartoon. How does this point of view help explain the task?

Photographs Add details, facts, statistics that supports what you are trying to prove. Explain how this information relates.

How to Cite Documents1. When taking information, details, facts, statistics, and quotes from a

document you should put the document number in parenthesis at the end of the sentence. See examples.

2. In document one, it states…3. As seen in document one, …4. The photo in document two shows…

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Practice Skill

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Let’s pretend we are writing an essay on the effects of the Erie Canal on New York State. Here is an excerpt from the body paragraph that includes how to cite the information.

Sample paragraph:

The Erie Canal impacted the development of New York State in many ways. It made transportation quicker and cheaper. For example, “ The cost of shipping wheat from western New York to New York City dropped from $100 a ton to $5 a ton” (Doc 1). This allowed more goods to be shipped to markets and more people were able to buy them. Also, the drawing in document 1 shows animals being used to pull the boats. Travel by water was a lot faster than travel by roads. More people and businesses moved to New York State because of the benefits of the Erie Canal.

Document 1 Let’s pretend we are writing an essay on

ways the American colonists protested British taxes.

Think about: What details could we use from this document? How would we cite them?

Let’s pretend we are writing an essay on the effects of the Erie Canal on New York State. Here is an excerpt from the body paragraph that includes how to cite the information.

Sample paragraph:

The Erie Canal impacted the development of New York State in many ways. It made transportation quicker and cheaper. For example, “ The cost of shipping wheat from western New York to New York City dropped from $100 a ton to $5 a ton” (Doc 1). This allowed more goods to be shipped to markets and more people were able to buy them. Also, the drawing in document 1 shows animals being used to pull the boats. Travel by water was a lot faster than travel by roads. More people and businesses moved to New York State because of the benefits of the Erie Canal.

Let’s pretend we are writing an essay on the effects of the Erie Canal on New York State. Here is an excerpt from the body paragraph that includes how to cite the information.

Sample paragraph:

The Erie Canal impacted the development of New York State in many ways. It made transportation quicker and cheaper. For example, “ The cost of shipping wheat from western New York to New York City dropped from $100 a ton to $5 a ton” (Doc 1). This allowed more goods to be shipped to markets and more people were able to buy them. Also, the drawing in document 1 shows animals being used to pull the boats. Travel by water was a lot faster than travel by roads. More people and businesses moved to New York State because of the benefits of the Erie Canal.

Transitions move you from one event to the next. In writing, authors must transition from topic to topic so that their readers can follow a train of thought. Each paragraph starts a new topic, so transitions must be seen at the beginning of new paragraphs. There are many ways to transition. The best way is to connect one paragraph to another with a phrase. Transition words are also helpful; frequently, they are even used at the beginning of transition phrases.

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Transitions

The following political cartoon depicts a scene in which colonists are tar and feathering a tax collector.

Title: The Bostonians Paying the Excise-Man, or Tarring & FeatheringArtist: Copy of mezzotint attributed to Philip DaweDate: 1774

Let’s pretend we are writing an essay on ways the American colonists protested British taxes.

Think about: What details could we use from this document? How would we cite them?

Transitions are also used to connect ideas inside paragraphs. They help the paragraph to “flow” or not be choppy. Thus, transitions make it easier for your reader to connect ideas, and they make an essay “sound right.”

Common transition words and phrases are listed on the next few pages. Use them to help you when you get “stuck.”

Type Milder StrongerAddition A further example

AndAnd then

ThenAlsoTooNext

AnotherOtherNor

FurtherFurthermore

MoreoverIn additionAdditionally

BesidesAgain

Equally importantFirst, secondFinally, last

Comparison Just asSo too

A similar exampleAnother example like

SimilarlyComparable

In the same wayLikewise

Contrast ButYet

And yetStill

OtherwiseOr

ThoughBut another

Rather

HoweverStill

NeverthelessOn the other hand

On the contraryEven so

For all thatIn contrast

AlternativelyAt the same time

Though this may beOtherwise

InsteadNonetheless

Time ThenNowSoon

AfterwardLater

ShortlyEarlier

RecentlyFirst, second, third

MeanwhileAt lengthPresently

At lastFinally

ImmediatelyThereafter

At that timeSubsequently

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Transitions

NextBeforeAfterToday

Tomorrow

EventuallyCurrently

In the meantimeIn the past

In the future

Conclusions17

Type Milder StrongerPlace There

HereBeyondNearbyNext to

At that pointOpposite toAdjacent to

On the other sideIn the frontIn the back

Result SoAnd soThen

HenceTherefore

AccordinglyConsequently

ThusThereuponAs a result

In consequenceExample That is

SpecificallyIn particularFor one thing

For exampleFor instance

An instance of thisThis can be seen in

Summary and Emphasis In sumGenerallyAfter all

By the wayIn general

IncidentallyNaturallyAt leastIt seemsIn brief

In shortOn the whole

As one can seeIn other words

To be sureIn factIndeedClearly

Of courseAnyway

RemarkableAssuredlyDefinitely

Without doubtFor all that

In any eventImportantly

CertainlyAll in all

Transitions

Background: For conclusions, you need to remember that this is the last chance to impress your reader. There are many ways to do conclusions, some stronger than others. Overall, you need a transition, a re-worded yet accurate thesis, and one of the following ideas:

A.The topic sentence from each body paragraph

B.A description of how the event affected the future or why life is different because of it. (It is only ok to introduce this new information to show analysis on how things changed from earlier times. Do not give new, unrelated information that should be in a body paragraph in the conclusion.)

C.A quote and the explanation of it where you relate it to your topic

D.Reverse the order of your introduction

E. Use a relevant document and summarize the whole topic with it

DBQ ChecklistDirections: This checklist should be used at the completion of your DBQ. Read each statement and make sure the task is complete. Then put a check in the box to show that it is. Fix your mistakes!

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All questions in the constructed response packet are answered in complete sentences.

The thesis is created from the essay question (Task).

The planning page has a thesis, at least two body paragraphs plans.

The planning page has documents and at least 10 pieces of outside information in the proper places and topics.

The thesis is stated only once in the introduction; it is the last sentence of the introduction and is underlined.

Each body paragraph focuses on one part of the essay question.

Each body paragraph has a transition at the beginning followed by the rest of the topic sentence.

Each body paragraph has documents and outside information.

Each body paragraph has details and analysis.

Each body paragraph has at least five sentences.

The conclusion has a transition and a thesis first; the thesis is underlined.

Document cites follow the proper format (Doc 1).

Most of the documents are referenced in the essay. For example, if there are 7 documents, you should be using 6.

Spelling, punctuation, and grammar were checked.

Grading RubricScore of 5:• Thoroughly develops all aspects of the task evenly and in depth• Is both descriptive and analytical (applies, analyzes, evaluates, and/or creates truthful information)• Incorporates relevant information from at least four documents• Incorporates substantial relevant outside information• Richly supports the theme with many relevant facts, examples, and details• Demonstrates a logical and clear plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that are beyond a restatement of the theme

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Score of 4:• Develops all aspects of the task but may do so somewhat unevenly• Is both descriptive and analytical (applies, analyzes, evaluates, and/or creates truthful information)• Incorporates relevant information from at least four documents• Incorporates relevant outside information• Supports the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details• Demonstrates a logical and clear plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that are beyond a restatement of the theme

Score of 3:• Develops all aspects of the task with little depth or develops most aspects of the task in some depth• Is more descriptive than analytical (applies, may analyze, and/or evaluate information)• Incorporates some relevant information from some of the documents• Incorporates limited relevant outside information• Includes some relevant facts, examples, and details; may include some minor inaccuracies• Demonstrates a satisfactory plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that may be a restatement of the theme

Score of 2:• Minimally develops all aspects of the task or develops some aspects of the task in some depth• Is primarily descriptive; may include faulty, weak, or isolated application or analysis• Incorporates limited relevant information from the documents or consists primarily of relevant information copied from the documents• Presents little or no relevant outside information• Includes few relevant facts, examples, and details; may include some inaccuracies• Demonstrates a general plan of organization; may lack focus; may contain digressions; may not clearly identify which aspect of the task is being addressed; may lack an introduction and/or a conclusion

Score of 1:• Minimally develops some aspects of the task• Is descriptive; may lack understanding, application, or analysis• Makes vague, unclear references to the documents or consists primarily of relevant and irrelevant information copied from the documents• Presents no relevant outside information• Includes few relevant facts, examples, or details; may include inaccuracies• May demonstrate a weakness in organization; may lack focus; may contain digressions; may not clearly identify which aspect of the task is being addressed; may lack an introduction and/or a conclusion

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Score of 0:Fails to develop the task or may only refer to the theme in a general way; OR includes no relevant facts, examples, or details; OR includes only the historical context and/or task as copied from the test booklet; OR includes only entire documents copied from the test booklet; OR is illegible; OR is a blank paper

Name:___________ Topic:___________

DBQ Scoring SheetScore out of 5:_________________

Percent Score:__________________

Comments:

Strengths

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Areas in need of improvement

Name:__________________________________

DBQ Grade Sheet

Planning Page – Planning page should have information from documents and other details and facts in the outside information section.

10 points

Documents – Documents should be answered in complete sentences, documents should be highlighted or underlined.

10 points

Introduction – Should contain 3-5 sentences, be in own words, and have a clear thesis as the last sentence

3 points

Body Paragraph 1 – Should start with a topic sentence; address the first bullet of the task, use information from the documents as well as other information to support your writing.

5 points

Body Paragraph 2 – Should start with a topic sentence; address the second bullet of the task, use information from the documents as well as other information to support your writing.

5 points

Body Paragraph 3 – Should start with a topic sentence, address the third bullet of the task, use information from the documents as well as other information to support your writing.

5 points

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Another possible grading sheet – This could be used in place of the score sheet out of 5. You can also change point values to meet your class.

Conclusion – Should have a reworded thesis, and be 2-3 sentences.

3 points

Document citation – Document information in essay was cited. (Doc 1), used at least 5 documents in your essay.

5 points

Total Grade: ______________________________/ 46 points

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