APUSH DBQs

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

<p>My teacher every once in a while takes us to a computer lab to type up our DBQ's from a prompt we see when we get there. (tries to emulate the ap exam) He gives 7-8 documents for the task.</p>

<p>NO MATTER HOW I write my DBQ's he always gives me a 'B' and provides justification for it. (Sometimes it contrasts from DBQ to DBQ).</p>

<p>So I was wondering what I could do to get an 'A.'</p>

<p>This is the structure I follow when writing DBQ's:
1) I take a position and make that evident in my thesis
2) The intro is mostly my own knowledge and sort of a seigway into the given prompt
3) When writing the body paragraphs I justify my claim which support from my knowledge and 1 or 2 quotes from the documents.
4)I then proceed to explain the quotes
5) I do this multiple times to from paragraphs
6) 10 mins before the period ends I usually form a conclusion which is just a summary</p>

<p>*I have one hour to type the DBQ (this time includes reading the task, looking through the documents, pre-planning and eventual writing and proofreading)</p>

<p>*I tend to use 3 to 4 documents MAX</p>

<p>*Length wise it always comes to be about 2 to 3 pages double spaced size twelve font</p>

<p>SO WHAT CAN I DO TO GET AN A? WHAT DO I NEED TO CONSCIENTIOUS ABOUT?</p>

2

<p>1) Use at least 5 documents if you are given 7-8 (a rule of thumb is use at least 2/3).
2) When you use the documents, it has to be relevant to the essay at hand. Don’t just explain what the quote means, you have to use it to support your view. You should choose the quotes based on your view in the essay, don’t write the essay based on the quotes.<br>
3) Outside knowledge is necessary.
4) Make sure you include complexity in your essay. See the other side of it and perhaps give a counterargument.
5) And make sure you analyze, don’t just spit out facts. </p>

<p>-This may seem like a laundry list of stuff to do in your essay, but if you can do this, you should be able to get an A.</p>

3

<p>Definitely use more documents.
Divide the documents you’re going to use into organizational categories, and structure your essay around those.
And make sure you have a REALLY GOOD thesis. (list your categories in it)</p>

<p>I know on AP euro last year if you only wrote a thesis, then you would automatically get at least 1, but the AP US rubrics are a lot more vague.</p>

<p>also, when you’re writing a DBQ, think about how you would write the essay if it were an FRQ instead, and then just plug in the documents where they support your argument</p>

<p>the main thing I think though would be to look at his comments and see what he’s suggesting that you do differently.<br>
and ask him this question! that’s what he’s getting paid for</p>

4

<p>Use as many documents as possible, don’t rely on any one or two too heavily, and don’t get overly complicated with your thesis. Simplify, and provide evidence.</p>

5

<p>Ah, the AP US History DBQ. I’m going to say something really controversial- when planning your essay, forget the documents.</p>

<p>Take a side of the thesis- DON’T worry about the documents… YET. Your side should be the one that you have the most outside knowledge of. Then, just dump all your information on the page in outline style (obviously this isn’t part of your actual essay). Split it into three categories. So far your outline should look like this: (this is based on the prompt ‘To what extent was United States expansion in 1850-1914 a departure from previous expansion?’).</p>

<p>Thesis: United States expansion in 1850-1914 was a complete departure from previous expansion politically, economically and ideologically.</p>

<p>1: US expansion was a complete departure politically
2. US expansion was a complete departure economically
3. US expansion was a complete departure ideologically</p>

<p>Remember, the above outline was formed by you when you wrote down all that info on the page. Now that you’ve split it, make the outline more detailed and take information from the ‘memory dump’ and put it in the relevant categories. After that, outline your intro. Your introduction should be background information that helps set the scene. Your conclusion should just restate each of your paragraphs in 2-3 sentences and reiterate your thesis.</p>

<p>NOW. The documents. I guarantee that if you’ve organized your outline, you can use nearly all of the documents. This is the way that I’ve been doing it and I’ve gotten great scores on the DBQs. Next to each outline paragraph, write the document letter next to it. Don’t stop until you’ve gotten 5/8 DIFFERENT documents. Don’t even consider starting, because you will find a way to include them.</p>

<p>Now, when you start your essay, you’ve got a great outline. Just write off your outline, starting with the intro. You wrote down some background info in the outline, just write off that. Restate your thesis and tell the grader that you’ve split the essay into three categories. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that links into the thesis and continue writing off your thesis, mentioning the document according to the document labels you wrote during your outline. Continue and conclude.</p>

<p>Some more helpful tips:

  • Have a thesis and the first sentence of each paragraph must link into the thesis somehow, exactly like in my outline above.
  • Political, economic and ideological/social split works for nearly every prompt so it’s really strategic to organize it like that.</p>

<p>Even if the rest of your essay isn’t good, you can compensate by having great organization.</p>

6

<p>^ I definitely agree. 100%</p>