Writing a DBQ using the M E E

Writing a DBQ using the M. E. E. E. A. L Plan

M. E. E. E. A. L Plan It’s a formulaic and concrete writing format. It’s the way that each paragraph in an essay or sentences in a short response should be written. • • • M- Main Idea/Claim E- Explanation E- Evidence E- Example A- Analysis L- Link/transitional sentence

The Introductory Paragraph The “Top Bun” of your essay! 4 -6 sentences

The Introductory Paragraph 1. Establish TIME & PLACE. 2. Create a clear, THESIS STATEMENT. [underline or highlight it!] 3. Allude to the SUB-TOPICS or categories you will discuss to support your thesis statement 1. Not a “laundry list!” 4. Focus on the question at hand—do NOT begin with a “flowery” sentence!

The “Meat” Paragraphs The “tasty” part of your essay! 8 -12 sentences+ per paragraph

The “Meat” Paragraphs 1. Identify your sub-topic or category in the first sentence. 2. Include the documents that are relevant to support the ideas in the paragraph. 3. Use most of the documents given. 4. Bring in supportive outside information. This is critical!! 5. Why were these documents selected?

M. E. E. E. A. L. Plan Model Paragraph Frank Underwood, the main character from the hit show The House of Cards, is more of a villain than the Joker from The Dark Knight because he doesn’t fit the physical description and expectations of what a villain. Frank is a psychopath. He feels no remorse or guilt for many of his crimes. He simply makes a decision to hurt, lie, cheat, or kill for his own political aspirations, and it does not matter to him how many people he hurts. He says, “We don’t bow down to terror, we create terror. ” Frank loves intimidating people and making them afraid of him. It gives him pleasure. In Season 1, Episode 14 of House of Cards, Frank murders Zoe Barnes by throwing her in front of a moving train simply because he felt that she was a threat to him. Zoe is dangerous to Frank’s desire to rise to power, and the things that Zoe knows about Frank could hinder that goal. Frank never leaves any loose ends, so killing Zoe is just one of many terrible acts that make him a villain. Frank has no emotional attachments to people. Although he has been married to Claire for over 20 years, he does not care about her, and he condones her extra-marital affairs….

Main Idea/Claim/Thesis Every paragraph should have one main idea that introduces a concept and expand upon it. Frank is a psychopath.

Explanation The explanation should be written after the main idea/claim/thesis. It should explain or elaborate on your claim. He feels no remorse or guilt for many of his crimes. He simply makes a decision to hurt, lie, cheat, or kill for his own political aspirations, and it does not matter to him how many people he hurts.

Evidence (Quotes) Your main idea/claim/thesis needs support. You should support it thoroughly with the strongest or best quotes from the documents and outside information. He says, “We don’t bow down to terror, we create terror. ” Frank loves intimidating people and making them afraid of him. It gives him pleasure.

Examples Your main idea/claim/thesis needs additional support. You should support it with relevant examples from the documents and other outside information. In Season 1, Episode 14 of House of Cards, Frank murders Zoe Barnes by throwing her in front of a moving train simply because he felt that she was a threat to him.

Analysis is your interpretation of the evidence and/or examples. The analysis is where you break apart the evidence/examples; compare them to other ideas; use them to build a persuasive case, or demonstrate their strengths or weaknesses. It comes after your quotes and examples. Zoe is dangerous to Frank’s desire to rise to power, and the things that Zoe knows about Frank could hinder that goal.

Link or Last Sentence(s) Links are transitional sentences. Transitions are words and phrases that provide a connection between ideas, sentences, and paragraphs. They serve various purposes: a. it links the main idea/claim /thesis of your current paragraph to the next main idea/claim. b. it wraps up or concludes a particular paragraph or the entire essay. It’s usually the last 1 -3 sentences of each paragraph. Frank never leaves any loose ends, so killing Zoe is just one of many terrible acts that make him a villain. Frank has no emotional attachments to people. Although he has been married to Claire for over 20 years, he does not care about her, and he condones her extra-marital affairs….

Questions to Ask Yourself About the Documents 1. Attribution Who is this person? 2. Why might they be significant? 3. What is the point of view (POV) of the author? 4. How reliable and accurate is the source? 5. What is the tone or intent of the document author? 6. What other information does this document call to mind? Use all available clues. Remember, docs. can be used in a variety of ways!

How to Reference a Document in Your Essay 1. Thomas Paine, in his pamphlet, Common Sense, said: “…………………. ” 2. Joe Smith, a mid-Western delegate to the Republican convention in 1912, agreed with…. . 3. The 19 c historian, Frederick Jackson Turner, felt that …………………. (Doc. E) NEVER begin with: In Document B, …

Counterclaim Paragraph Template My opponent might say _____(counterclaim)____________________________ They support this claim because _______________ (evidence/reasoning to support counterclaim)_____________________________ However, ___(rebuttal and the evidence (quote) for your rebuttal)_____________________________ Therefore, ______________________________________________________

The Concluding Paragraph The “Bottom Bun” of your essay! It holds it all together! 3 -4 sentences

The Concluding” Paragraph 1. Start with a “concluding phrase. ” 2. Restate your thesis statement a bit differently. 3. Put your essay answer in a larger historical perspective. End of some trend/movement/idea, etc. Beginning of some trend/movement/idea End of one & beginning of another. Do NOT end on the note that this is the reason we are where we are today!

Put It All Together, And. .

Ummmmm, Burger! I Mean, A Perfect Essay!

Outline Format Write out your introductory paragraph in full, underlining your thesis statement. ¶ 1 sub-topic title § Information from a document (Doc-B) § Information from another document (Doc -E) § Some outside information (OI) § Different info. from the same document (Doc-E) ¶ 2 sub-topic title § Information from a document (Doc-A) § Some outside information (OI) § Information from another document (Doc -H) ¶ 3 sub-topic title § Information from a document (Doc-C) § Information from another document (Doc -D) § Some outside information (OI) § Information from another document (Doc-F) § New information from the same document (Doc-F) § Some outside information (OI) Write out your concluding paragraph in full.