Basic DBQ Stuff Flashcards
Expectations for thesis?
Put it in the first paragraph of your DBQ, usually after contextualization. Make sure it responds to the prompt directly, is historically defensible (argumentative in nature, there needs to be a possibility of a counter-thesis), and establishes a line of reasoning. Include references to the how you categorized the evidence in your thesis. A good formula (that goes above and beyond, a step towards scoring the 7th complexity point) is Despite [counterargument], because [evd 1] and [evd 2], [your argument] (credit: Heimler)
How do you score the contextualization point?
Provide background info on the prompt. Think of it as a prologue or prequel: what does the reader need to know to understand what led up to what the prompt discusses? Make sure you talk about what has happened in the past and don’t describe the prompt. Additionally, incorporate at least 3 pieces of evidence (a good tip is to use vocabulary words from the terms list) to provide contextualization. Make sure the evidence is accurate and relevant.
How do you get the evidence from documents 1st point?
Use at least 3 documents that summarize and address the prompt. Do not quote.
How do you get the Evidence 2nd point?
Use 6 documents to support your thesis. If you are going for this point, be safe and use all 7. Make sure you clearly connect back to the claim by explaining how it is relevant. Make sure you do NOT QUOTE. Analysis, not summary.
How do you get the evidence beyond docs point?
Provide specific evidence beyond the 7 docs that support/qualify the argument. Clearly reference your claim for this piece of evidence. You should do this in 2-3 sentences: say what it is, why it’s significant, and connect it back to the claim. The best way to do this is to look at your categories and try to think of a piece of evidence that you know well.
How do you get the sourcing point?
This can be done through recognizing the audience, historical situation, purpose, or point of view. Since you have 55 minutes, you should start writing instead of trying to get to this point. Once you are in a good spot and have plenty of time left, you can incorporate sourcing at least 3 times in your essay (each for a separate piece of evidence). You don’t have to connect back to your claim for sourcing (although it strengthens your argument and is safer), but you should explain HOW IT EFFECTS HOW THE DOCUMENT WAS WRITTEN. If this isn’t done, you cannot get the point. Simply stating the audience doesn’t count. You have to do something along the lines of “since this document was written for ______, it was written in a way that….”
