Name ______________________________

Date _______________________________

Period _____________________________

 

What is a DBQ question?
Beginning in June 2000, the Global History and Geography Regents Examination will require students to respond to a DBQ question.

 

·          Requires that students analyze a series of documents from Part A of     the DBQ question and answer a specific short answer question about each document.

·          Presents a specific task in Part B, which must be addressed in an essay response using information obtained from the documents, presented in Part A and the student's knowledge of social studies.

·          Is graded using a rubric, which is made available to students during the test in the exam booklet.

Part A
Short Answer

Directions:
·Analyze the documents and answer the questions that follow each 
    document in the space provided.

 

Part B
Essay

§         Directions:

§         Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs, and a conclusion.

§         Use evidence from the documents to support your response.

§         Do not simply repeat the contents of the documents. Include specific related outside information.

Historical Context:
Throughout history, societies have held different viewpoints on governmental decision-making and the role of citizens in this decision-making process. The decision-making process can range from absolute control to democracy.

Task:
Using information from the documents and your knowledge of global history and geography, write an essay in which you

· Compare and contrast the different viewpoints societies have held 
 about the process of governmental decision-making and about the role of citizens in the political decision-making process.

·  Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a political system that  is under the absolute control of a single individual or a few  individuals, or a political system that is a democracy.

Be sure to include specific historical details. You must also include additional information from your knowledge of global history and geography.

 

Step 1: Answer each question in Part A. 
Carefully read or view each document in Part A of the DBQ question, and answer the question that follows each document. Use factual information and base your answer to each question on the specific document to which it is related, and be sure to compose each answer using complete sentences.

Step 2: Read through the grading rubric.
A DBQ essay question will always be accompanied by a grading rubric which explains how the essay response will be graded. Pay close attention to this rubric and be sure to meet all of the requirements so that your essay response can earn the maximum number of points. Be sure to read through the entire rubric so that you can discover not only what you should do to earn points, but also what you shouldn't do so that points will not be deducted from your response. Once you have an understanding of these criteria, begin writing your essay in Part B.

Step 3: Compose a thesis statement.
Read the task section in Part B of the DBQ essay question and analyze it in order to figure out what it is asking you to do. Key words used in the task may include:

Discuss means "to make observations about something using facts, reasoning, and argument; to present in some detail."

Describe means "to illustrate something in words or tell about it."

Show means "to point out; to set forth clearly a position or idea by stating it and giving data to support it."

Explain means "to make plain or understandable; to give reasons for or causes of; to show the logical development or relationships of" (Global Studies Regents, June, 1997).

Once you understand what the task is asking you to write about, compose a thesis statement that addresses these issues. For example, the sample DBQ below contains a task that could be reworded to form a thesis statement such as:

Step 4: Organize the essay.
Organize the information that you want to use in your essay through the use of an outline. During this pre-writing step, you should brainstorm as many facts as possible that could be used in your essay. Also make sure that you are addressing the task as well as the requirements from the rubric.

Step 5: Write the introduction.
A. Revisit the historical context and determine if you can use part or all of this statement in your introduction.
B. Insert your thesis statement from step three.
C. If your thesis does not address the body paragraphs that will follow, compose a sentence that briefly introduces each topic.

Step 6: Write the body paragraphs.
Write the first body paragraph. Be sure to include all of the following components: topic sentence, supporting evidence in the body sentences, and a closing sentence. Follow this same format as you write the additional body paragraphs. Compose additional paragraphs if necessary in order to completely answer the essay question.

Be sure to use most of the documents provided in Part A in order to provide evidence, which proves your thesis statement, and to meet the criteria in the rubric to earn a full credit for your essay.

Step 7: Write the conclusion.
Summarize the subject of the essay. You can often do this by restating the question in a different way. Explain what you concluded about the essay question. Summarize how the information in the body of your essay proves your point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A sample DBQ essay grading rubric.
To earn a 5, the DBQ essay:
·  Thoroughly addresses all aspects of the task by accurately analyzing and interpreting most of the documents
·  Incorporates relevant outside information
·  Richly supports essay with relevant facts, examples, and details
·  Is a well-developed essay, consistently demonstrating a logical and clear plan of organization
·  Uses information from the documents in the body of the essay, but does not copy document
·  Includes a strong introduction and conclusion

To earn a 4, the DBQ essay:
·  Addresses all aspects of the task by accurately analyzing and interpreting most of the documents
·  Incorporates relevant outside information
·  Includes relevant facts, examples, and details, but discussion may be more descriptive than analytical
·  Is a well-developed essay, demonstrating a logical and clear plan of organization
·  Includes a good introduction and conclusion

To earn a 3, the DBQ essay:
·  Addresses most aspects of the task or addresses all aspects in a  limited way; uses some of the documents
·  Incorporates limited or no relevant outside information
·  Uses some facts, examples, and details, but discussion is more 
    descriptive than analytical
·  Is a satisfactorily developed essay, demonstrating a general plan of 
    organization
·  Restates the theme in the introduction and concludes with a simple 
    restatement of the theme

To earn a 2, the DBQ essay:
·  Attempts to address some aspects of the task, making limited use of the documents
·  Incorporates no relevant outside information
·  Presents few facts, examples, and details; simply restates contents of the documents
·  Is a poorly organized essay, lacking focus
·  Has vague or missing introduction and/or conclusion

To earn an 1, the DBQ essay:
·  Shows limited understanding of the task with vague, unclear references to the documents
·  Presents no relevant outside information
·  Attempts to complete the task, but essay demonstrates a majorweakness in organization
·  Uses little or no accurate or relevant facts, details, or examples
·  Has vague or missing introduction and/or conclusion

To earn a 0, the DBQ essay:
·  Fails to address the question
·  Is illegible
·  Is missing; a blank paper is handed in