How to write a DBQ

What’s a DBQ?

Document Based QuestionResponse to a particular guiding questionBased on a set of documents

Primary sources

Secondary sources

Often appears on timed tests

How do I write a DBQ?

1. Read the directions

2. Activate background knowledge

3. Read the directions again

4. Annotate the documents

5. Outline your response

6. Read the directions again

7. Write your response

1. Read the directions!

Every DBQ begins with a question

Let the question guide your work

Box the question

2. Activate background knowledge

Brainstorm: what do you know about this topic already?

Write down:A draft thesis statement (or more than one!)

Key terms, events, people that you might use in your response

Descriptive information about context

3. Read the directions again!

How much do you have to write?

Is there an intro paragraph?

Is there a conclusion?

Is there a thesis statement?

Underline all requirements

4. Annotate the documents

First read: what is this document saying?

Second read: how does this document answer the question?

Jigsaw groupings

Group 1: Claudlyne (A), Ann (B), Kyla (C)

Group 2: Amirah (A), Josh (B), Malcolm (C)

Group 3: Dishon (A), Maya (B), Kyania (C)

Group 4: Aryanna (A), Catrina (B), Beemnet (C)

Group 5: Tatiana (A), Noreen (B), Christina (C)

Group 6: Lovell (A), Spencer (B), Tatiani (C)

Group 7: Nelson (A), Allison (B), Valentine (C)

Group 8: Danielle (A), Elana (A), Shemar (B), Nyoka (C)

Group 9: Ashayla (A), Ashonti (B), Treshon (C)

5. Outline your response

Thesis statement

Topic sentences

Evidence

6. Read the directions again!

Does your outline:Answer the question?

Include enough paragraphs?

Cite enough sources?

Satisfy the content requirements?

If not, revise it before you start writing

7. Write the DBQ

You know what to do here…

Give context for sources (“In Wealth and its Uses, the industrialist Andrew Carnegie writes…”)

Cite sources using letters/numbers (“Document 1” or “Document A”)

Be mindful of time