Tips and Major Parts of a DBQ

Name______Date______Period______Mrs. Squires/ US 11

Introduction

 Restate the historical context (background) ex: Who, What, Where, When, Why, How…

 Specifically address the things you are going to write about…IT HELPS IF YOU PUT THEM IN THE EXACT ORDER YOU ARE WRITING ABOUT

 Do not begin writing your facts AND DO NOT USE DOCUMENTS until the body paragraphs.

 MUST CONTAIN THE THESIS STATEMENT (at the end of the introduction).

Body Paragraphs (2-4)

 Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence (that is your main idea for that paragraph).

 Each paragraph should give evidence to support of the thesis.

 The idea is to use the evidence to construct an argument so the reader will agree with your thesis.

Conclusion

 The closing ties your paper together by rephrasing the thesis statement and recapping or summarizing the main idea of each body paragraph.

 You may also want to restate the historical context (background) --- The Who, What, Where…etc.

Tips for Writing the DBQ

1. Read the question that must be answer carefully.

2.Carefully read all the documents and think about the question to be answered. (Note or highlight useful and important information in the documents as each is read).

3.Use the minimum number of documents

4.Create a thesis statement. (This sets up your paper and must clearly answer the question)

5.Cite the documents correctly using parenthesis.

6. Develop separate paragraphs to deal with each of the main points

7. Do not use personal pronouns such as I and you and avoid statements such as “I think” or “In this paper”. DBQ ESSAY OUTLINE: MECA 1 Paragraph 1 – INTRODUCTION

Background (Use Historical Context)

Thesis and road map What is the answer to the essay question and what reasons are you going to offer to prove your answer (these reasons are your MAIN IDEAS of each body paragraph)

Paragraph 2

Main Idea –Introduce the paragraph with proof that proves your thesis/ answers question

Explain the Main Idea

Cite- Give Evidence and support with references to specific documents

Analyze: Connect your evidence to your thesis

Paragraph 3

Main Idea - Introduce the paragraph with proof that proves your thesis/ answers question

Paragraph 4 (MIGHT NOT BE NEEDED)

Main Idea - Introduce the paragraph with proof that proves your thesis/ answers question

Paragraph 4/5- CONCLUSION

Statement of your main ideas (from each paragraph) Restatement your thesis sentence Restate historical context

Name______Date______Period___ Mrs.Squires/ US 11 2 DBQ ESSAY OUTLINE: MECA Paragraph 1 – INTRODUCTION

Background (Use Historical Context) ______

Thesis and road map What is the answer to the essay question and what reasons are you going to offer to prove your answer (these reasons are your MAIN IDEAS of each body paragraph)

______

Paragraph 2

Main Idea –Introduce the paragraph with proof that proves your thesis/ answers question

______

Explain the Main Idea ______

Cite- Give Evidence and support with references to specific documents ______

Analyze: Connect your evidence to your thesis ______

3 Paragraph 3

Main Idea - Introduce the paragraph with proof that proves your thesis/ answers question ______

Cite- Give Evidence and support with references to specific documents ______

Paragraph 4 (MIGHT NOT BE NEEDED)

Main Idea - Introduce the paragraph with proof that proves your thesis/ answers question ______

Cite- Give Evidence and support with references to specific document ______

Paragraph 4/5- CONCLUSION

4 Statement of your main ideas (from each paragraph) ______

Restatement your thesis sentence ______

Restate historical context

______