Transcript The DBQ - Oconee County Schools

The DBQ
 What’s the DBQ?
An essay—pure and simple. Some like to call it an
“essay with a cheat sheet” since the documents often
stir up memories that the usual essay wouldn’t.
2. An opportunity for you to think like a historian—to
look at documents and use them to make an
argument
3. A puzzle for you to figure out—someone made the
DBQ—they chose the documents for a reason. Can
you put the puzzle together?
1.
Succeeding on the DBQ
 You must:
Answer the question asked—address all parts via a
developed thesis.
2. Correctly interpret, and then use, the documents.
3. Use the documents to HELP make your argument
4. Support your argument with SUBSTANTIAL
OUTSIDE INFORMATION.
1.
a)
Remember—if a fact is mentioned specifically in a
document, it’s NOT outside info!
5. Provide analysis of your facts to tie into the thesis.
What NOT to do on the DBQ
 Here are some things that will kill you:
Just going through the documents and telling me
what they say—this is simple description and NOT
the point.
2. Use the documents to make an argument, but not
use any outside information (OI) to back up your
points.
3. Extensive quoting from the documents—I’d avoid
almost any quoting from the documents. It
wastes time and is unnecessary.
1.
How to Interpret the Documents
 Some suggestions:
1.
As you read or examine a document, think of
S = Speaker—who is the source of the speech, cartoon etc.
O = Occasion—what was happening at the time to make this document?
A = Audience—who was the intended audience for the words or message of the
document?
P = Purpose—why was the document created at that time?
S= Significance—why did the “puzzle maker” include this document? It should
tie in somehow.
2.
3.
4.
If that seems too much, then think “What is the MAIN IDEA of this
document in 1-2 sentences?” and “Why is this document here?”
What outside information (OI) does this document get me to think
about?
If you can’t get a document, skip it—you only need to use ¾ of the
documents.
Citing the documents
 Some tips:
1.
Never use this—any variety of it is undesirable:
“As it says in document B”—this just invites you to describe
the document and that isn’t necessary at all—I know the
documents as do the “readers”—you DON’T need to
describe them for me.
2. Instead, refer to the documents in a sentence at
most, and then put (B)—that’s it!!!
To summarize
 Remember it’s just an essay—simply use the
documents to “back up” what you’re saying.
 Remember to use the documents, but don’t abuse
them—in other words don’t have the documents write
the essay for you.
 Bring in lots of OI, just like you would on a regular
essay. Outside means outside!