Maximising your marks Maximising your marks on the Documents Based on the Documents Based

QuestionQuestionHTAI Dublin Sixth Year Revision Seminar

M. KennedyTCD

2012

Timing for the DBQTiming for the DBQ

DBQ Marking SchemeDBQ Marking Scheme

Question 1 – Comprehension◦Four questions at 5 marks each

Question 2 – Comparison◦Two questions at 10 marks each

Question 3 – Criticism◦Two questions at 10 marks each

Question 4 – Contextualisation◦Short essay (1.5 to 2 pages) 40 marks

Question 1 - ComprehensionQuestion 1 - Comprehension

Read the sources carefullyRead the questionsReread the sources underlining the

information relevant to the questionWrite short answers to each question no

more that three lines in lengthQuote or paraphraseExaminers looking for one/two pieces of

information

Example answerExample answer

Example from 2009 Montgomery Bus Boycott◦Question – According to document A, who

usually travelled on the first bus?◦Answer – According to Document A the first bus

was filled domestic worker going to their jobs.

Question 2 - ComparisonQuestion 2 - Comparison

How are the sources the same?

How are the sources different?

Question 2 - ComparisonQuestion 2 - Comparison

Two questions carrying 10 marks each◦Each 10 marker is divided in two parts for 5

marks each.◦This 5 marks is awarded on a sliding scale

5/4/3/2/1/0As the question type is comparison you

must refer to both documents◦5 marks for reference to document A and 5

marks for reference to document B◦If reference to one document is omitted – no

marks

Comparison – types of questionsComparison – types of questions

How do the documents differ?Which document is more effective?Which document better illustrates a stated

viewpoint?Which document is more factual?Which document is more memorable?Which document gives a clearer picture of a

stated event?Which document do you consider to be more

historically accurate?Which document is more objective?Which document is more informative?

Select a viewpoint, argue it wellSelect a viewpoint, argue it well

There is not necessarily one right answerMarks are awarded for convincing arguments

◦Make a statement: Document A is more factual/historical valuable/effective etc. than Document B or vice versa

◦Develop your answer by stating why you think that is the case referring to the document. Then refer to the other document stating why you think it is not as good (factual/effective etc) as the first document

It is possible that two students could argue for the opposite documents and both get full marks.

Key wordsKey words

Factual – undisputable detailsEffective – serves its purposeHistorical accuracy - factualTone – angry, sad, sympathetic, ecstatic,

etc., = words used.Emotive – stirring feelings, attempts to

influenceObjective – impartial, balanced, fair in its

accountInformative - factual

Question 3 - CriticismQuestion 3 - Criticism

The approach for Question 3 is the same as Question 2

Two questions carrying 10 marks each◦Each 10 marker is divided in two parts for 5 marks

each. This 5 marks can be awarded on a sliding scale

◦5/4/3/2/1/0As the question type is criticism you must refer to both documents

◦5 marks for reference to document A and 5 marks for reference to document B

◦If reference to one document is omitted – no marks

Critical thinking Critical thinking

Criticism asks you to make a judgement◦Strengths/weakness as a historical source◦Reliability as a historical source◦Advantages/disadvantages of autobiographies◦Reliability of newspaper accounts as sources◦Bias versus objectivity◦Advantages/disadvantages of cartoons as

sources◦How objective is the author of the source◦Do the sources support (agree) or contradict

(disagree) each other◦Primary or secondary source

Sources of informationSources of information

Primary Sources of Information

(first hand information, unedited)

orSecondary Sources of

Information(second hand information, edited)

Evaluating sourcesEvaluating sources

Primary sources of information – what are they?◦Unedited pieces of information from the time of

the event (contemporary)◦Time and place rule – generally the closer in

time and space the information is to the event itself the more accurate or reliable (reliability) it should be. EXAMPLES: eyewitnesses, letters, diaries,

government records (censuses, acts), poems, songs, photos, paintings, film/video, newspapers, speeches, maps, coins, tomb inscriptions, certificates, account books, clothing

◦Primary sources are regarded to be excellent sources of information but the following must be considered: Who is the author? Why was it recorded? When was it recorded? What is it? Where was it recorded?

◦Eyewitness accounts are generally given as the most obvious primary source of information Eyewitness accounts can be selective, inaccurate,

limited, undetailed However, the personal experience/account is

invaluable but does not necessarily contain a lot of factual information.

Factors that affect reliabilityFactors that affect reliability

Bias/Prejudice – occurs when one point of view is favoured over other points of view.

Propaganda – using half truths or lies to convince the receiver of a certain point of view

Subjective – occurs when one person’s viewpoint is given, reflects an emotional input

Exaggeration – adding additional fictious details – bigger/smaller, better/worse

Cross-checks – have the details been verified through another source?

Interrogating cartoonsInterrogating cartoons

Cartoons are useful to historians when trying to understand how people or events in the past were viewed by contemporary observers◦They give insight into mood and attitude at the time

Cartoonists are not interested in a balanced view◦They rely heavily on caricature and exaggeration to

make their points◦They assume the viewer has a certain amount of

background knowledge in order to understand the image

The developers The bankers

The Celtic Tiger

Types of documentsTypes of documents

Past papersPast papers

Newspaper extract (SEC sample, 2009, 2011)Transcript from a political speech (2006,Cartoon from a magazine (2006)Cartoon from a newspaper (2008)Letter (2007)Excerpt from an autobiography (2009, 2010)Extract from a memoir (2010)Extract from an interview (2008)Extract from a book (2011)

Contemporary•Daily details

•Shows what the public knew

Reflects the point of view of the newspaper/editor - often used as a mouth piece for political parties

No context – doesn’t tell the

whole story

May contain errors

May contain little detail

Editing?

Critical evaluation – always Critical evaluation – always consider the sourceconsider the source

Don’t believe everything you read in the papers

Contemporary

Simple in their format

Represent a single point

of view

Distance in time from the event

makes interpretation

difficultOpen to

interpretation

Lacks detail

Personal insights

Language reflects mood

Honesty based on trust

May lack detail focusing on

emotion

Personal letters

Business letters

Contains factual details

Represents one point of view

Life

Events/people

A single point of

viewGives insight into emotion

and motivations

May be biased and

unbalanced

Provides information

not available elsewhere

Radio Newspaper

Subject to editing

Insight into motivations,

mood, character of the

interviewee

Nature of questions

determines the scope of the

detailContemporary

A single point of view

Highlights the priorities of the

oratorPropaganda – speeches always used to

convince the listener of a particular view point.

Factual

Contemporary

Excellent detail on surroundings,

clothes, hair styles

Frame focuses the

viewer

Image is composed –

context can be removed.

What’s outside the frame?

Gives insight into emotion –

facial expressions

Question 4 - ContextualisationQuestion 4 - Contextualisation

This is a mini essay worth 40 marks◦No need for an introduction or conclusion◦Write 1 to 2 pages◦An elaborate introduction/conclusion is not

necessary◦15 – 20 minutes available◦Should be broken up into paragraphs (3 or 4 to

a page)◦If you can’t answer the question throw the

kitchen sink at it – write everything you know about the topic

What constitutes a paragraph?What constitutes a paragraph?

A paragraph or paragraph equivalent may be one of the following: A relevant introduction giving the background situation and/or

defining the terms and explaining the approach; An episode, phase or stage in a sequence of events;An aspect of a topic/issue, with supporting factual references;A point in an argument or discussion, with supporting factual references;An explanation of a concept or term, with supporting factual references;A number of significant, relevant statements of fact, explanation or

comment which, although not connected or related, can be taken together and assessed as a paragraph equivalent;

A good concluding paragraph or summation, which is not mere repetition

Marking a paragraphMarking a paragraph

Excellent: 11-12 marks Outstanding piece of analysis, exposition or

commentary. Clearly expressed, accurate andsubstantial information.Very good: 8-10 marks Very good material,

accurately and clearly expressed.Good: 6-7 marks Worthwhile information,

reasonably well expressed.Fair: 3-5 marks Limited information/barely

expressedPoor: 0-2 marks Trivial/irrelevant/grave errors.

Overall Evaluation markOverall Evaluation mark

Excellent: 14-16 marksVery good: 11-13 marks

Good: 6-10 marksFair: 4-5 marks

Weak: 2-3 marksVery weak: 0-1 mark