Strive for 5!

Guidelines for Writing a Document-Based Question Essay

-Only use quotations when repeating dialogue of a direct statement from a document.  Do not use quotations when stressing a point or belief.

-Make sure to capitalize all proper nouns.  Proper nouns include the name of a person, formal name for a group of people, countries, states, counties, and towns.

-Spell out all numbers from 1-100 and any of the whole numbers followed by hundred, thousand, hundred thousand, million, and so on, except when writing out a date or when quoting a document.  (Examples: Instead of writing 1, write one.  Instead of writing 4,000, write four thousand.)

-Proofread your essay when finished.  Make sure you have avoided the following in your essay:

·        Contractions (can't, didn't, etc.).  These are meant for conversation, not essays.

·        Abbreviations (mtns., gov't., etc.). Write these words out in full. Numbers between 1 and 100 should also be written out (only dates can be written using numbers.)

·        Slang expressions ("stuff", for example; replace it with "things", "objects", etc.)

·        Symbols (plus sign instead of the word "and" or slash instead of the word "or".)  Use the words instead of the symbols.

·        "I", "me", "my", "you", "your": these are the five words which should never appear in a formal essay.  It is not a conversation; assume you are instructing your readers on a topic they have no knowledge of.  Do not address them, ask them questions, or offer them your opinions, just inform them.  A more mature style of writing suitable for middle school students preparing for high school does not include phrases such as: "In this essay I will talk about..........." or "I hope you enjoyed reading my essay on....".

DBQ Outline

DBQ Rubric

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