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| How to Write a DBQ Essay |
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DBQ questions are composed of two sections. In Part A, documents are provided for students to read, analyze, and then answer questions about each one. In Part B, students are provided with a specific task which must be addressed in an essay response. The essay response can be organized into three sections: the introduction, body, and conclusion. Below is a visual representation of this division:
Carefully read or view each document in Part A of the DBQ question, and answer the question that follows each document. Use factual information and base your answer to each question on the specific document to which it is related, and be sure to compose each answer using complete sentences.
A DBQ essay question will always be accompanied by a grading rubric which explains how the essay response will be graded. Pay close attention to this rubric and be sure to meet all of the requirements so that your essay response can earn the maximum number of points. Be sure to read through the entire rubric so that you can discover not only what you should do to earn points, but also what you shouldn't do so that points will not be deducted from your response. Once you have an understanding of these criteria, begin writing your essay in Part B.
Read the task section in Part B of the DBQ essay question and analyze it in order to figure out what it is asking you to do. Key words used in the task may include:
Discuss
means "to make observations about something using facts, reasoning, and argument; to present in some detail."
Describe
means "to illustrate something in words or tell about it."
Show
means "to point out; to set forth clearly a position or idea by stating it and giving data to support it."
Explain
means "to make plain or understandable; to give reasons for or causes of; to show the logical development or relationships of"
Once you understand what the task is asking you to write about, compose a thesis statement that addresses these issues.
Organize the information that you want to use in your essay through the use of an outline. During this pre-writing step, you should brainstorm as many facts as possible that could be used in your essay. Also make sure that you are addressing the task as well as the requirements from the rubric.
The box format outline.
The box method visually divides the essay into sections . Ideas that support each of the sections are placed in the appropriate box. These are main ideas and sometimes have less detail then the outline method. An example follows:
A._____Revisit the historical context and determine if you can use part or all of this statement in your introduction.
B._____Insert your thesis statement from step three.
C._____If your thesis does not address the body paragraphs that will follow, compose a sentence that briefly introduces each topic.
Write the first body paragraph. Be sure to include all of the following components: topic sentence, supporting evidence in the body sentences, and a closing sentence. Follow this same format as you write the additional body paragraphs. Compose additional paragraphs if necessary in order to completely answer the essay question.
Be sure to use most of the documents provided in Part A in order to provide evidence which proves your thesis statement, and to meet the criteria in the rubric to earn a full credit for your essay.
Summarize the subject of the essay. You can often do this by restating the question in a different way. Explain what you concluded about the essay question. Summarize how the information in the body of your essay proves your point.
To earn a 5, the DBQ essay:
*___Thoroughly addresses all aspects of the task by
accurately analyzing and interpreting most of the documents
*___Incorporates relevant outside information
*___Richly supports essay with relevant facts, examples, and details
*___Is a well-developed essay, consistently demonstrating a logical and clear plan of organization
*___Uses information from the documents in the body of the essay, but does not copy document
*___Includes a strong introduction and conclusion
To earn a 4, the DBQ essay:
*___Addresses all aspects of the task by accurately analyzing and interpreting most of the documents
*___Incorporates relevant outside information
*___Includes relevant facts, examples, and details, but discussion may be more descriptive than analytical
*___Is a well-developed essay, demonstrating a logical and clear plan of organization
*___Includes a good introduction and conclusion
To earn a 3, the DBQ essay:
*___Addresses most aspects of the task or addresses all aspects in a limited way; uses some of the documents
*___Incorporates limited or no relevant outside information
*___Uses some facts, examples, and details, but discussion is more descriptive than analytical
*___Is a satisfactorily developed essay, demonstrating a general plan of organization
*___Restates the theme in the introduction and concludes with a simple restatement of the theme
To earn a 2, the DBQ essay:
*___Attempts to address some aspects of the task, making limited use of the documents
*___Incorporates no relevant outside information
*___Presents few facts, examples, and details; simply restates contents of the documents
*___Is a poorly organized essay, lacking focus
*___Has vague or missing introduction and/or conclusion
To earn an 1, the DBQ essay:
*___Shows limited understanding of the task with vague, unclear references to the documents
*___Presents no relevant outside information
*___Attempts to complete the task, but essay demonstrates a major weakness in organization
*___Uses little or no accurate or relevant facts, details, or examples
*___Has vague or missing introduction and/or conclusion
To earn a 0, the DBQ essay:
*___Fails to address the question
*___Is illegible
*___Is missing; a blank paper is handed in
