

Follow these steps to help you get started with your DBQ:
- Carefully read the historical context (background information) and the two
part essay question to be sure you understand the topic and the question.
- Answer the scaffolding questions (questions for
each document) in complete sentence form, in ink, in the spaces provided.
Remember, some questions can be answered from information in the document
itself while others questions require you to think a little more and make certain
connections based on outside knowledge of the topic. Be sure to read
each question carefully and give what is asked for. Also, pay attention to all
parts of the document, including captions and small print.
- Go back to the two part essay question. Use two different colored
highlighters and highlight the information in each document that applies to
each part of the essay question. Use one color for the first part of the
question and a different color for the second part.
- Make two lists of outside knowledge you have which applies to each part of
the essay question. This should be information which is not
found in the documents.
- Complete an outline or graphic organizer before you begin writing your
essay. Include your introduction, transition sentences for each part of
the essay question, highlighted information from the documents you plan to
use, and outside knowledge from your lists which you plan to include.
- You may start your introduction by using the historical context and
rephrasing the essay question. However, you must add something of
your own to that. An introduction should include a minimum of
three sentences and should focus on the theme or the general topic of the
essay question. Save details and examples for the body paragraphs.
- Write a transition sentence after your introduction to lead the reader
into the first part of the essay question. Then follow it with specific
information from the documents and your outside knowledge that
applies to that part of the question. When you use information from the
documents, mention it by document title or number.
- Repeat the same process in a new paragraph for the second part of the
essay question. Remember that in a DBQ of 6 documents you must use
information from at least 4 of them in your essay. Also remember that a
DBQ essay with no outside information cannot receive a score higher than a 3.
- Write a conclusion paragraph which summarizes the theme or topic but does
not repeat information from the body paragraphs.
- Proofread your rough draft. Check for
spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors before you copy it over (in dark
blue or black ink) as your final draft. If you use the computer, double
space your final copy and print it in Times New Roman 12 pt. font in black ink. (Double
spacing means there is enough room between any two lines of your print that I
could write in something in my handwriting. You can set your program to double
space or hit "enter" twice at the end of each line.) Student work WILL NOT
be accepted on disks or CDs; if you can't print it yourself, then do it the
old-fashioned way and write it out.
- Note: the tips about introductions, conclusions, transition
sentences, paragraphing, proofreading, etc. can apply to any essay in Social
Studies, not just DBQs.
ESSAY SPOILERS - DON'T LET
THEM RUIN YOURS !!!!!!
These are things which should
NOT appear in any
piece of formal writing.....................
-
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....".
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