Tips for Writing a DBQ Plan and Organize

Tips for Writing a DBQ

Plan and Organize You will have 55 min. 15 minutes (at most) should be spent reading, analyzing, & organizing info. READ THE ENTIRE PROMPT! Organize your thoughts into categories (based on the prompt) Make an outline Include which documents you will use to support your argument

Thesis Do NOT simply restate the prompt Make it specific Must be defensible (don’t tell me that you think aliens helped get Jefferson elected) Make It sure you can actually PROVE your argument is a roadmap for your essay Take into account differing opinions (find them in the documents) The word “although” is a nice hook Answer “so what”

Document Analysis Do not explain the documents Do not quote from the documents Use No AT LEAST 6 of the documents need to cite the document unless absolutely necessary Explain (more than just a sentence) how documents prove your argument (“So what”) HIPP (only need to use ONE on at least FOUR documents)

Using Evidence Beyond the Documents (Outside Info. ) Contextualize! Set the scene Intro. Give is a great spot for this at least one specific example not mentioned in documents (explain it fully and relate it back to your thesis)

Synthesis Relate your argument to a DIFFERENT historical period (i. e. comparing the Alien Acts to recent attempt to limit or ban immigration) Put this in your conclusion

The Make Up of Your DBQ Intro. Contextualize Thesis Body Paragraphs Use documents to prove your thesis Use one part of HIPP on at least four documents Specific outside example Conclusion Synthesis