<p>This is what you do. Look for bias and see if that person has some kind of stake i what he is saying. Is this source biased, if so how and why? Also if you can recognize the background of a document, this could help you like identifying that an event refers to "bleeding kansas" and extrapolating from there.</p>
<p>I haven't written a DBQ since last year, but I try to do a few things when writing a DBQ.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Have a strong thesis. Do not restate the question. Make sure to point out opposing viewpoints.</p></li>
<li><p>I try to use all of the documents. I start writing my own info (learned in class) and use the documents to support my information.</p></li>
<li><p>Don't just summarize the documents. When your teacher says infer more from the documents, you should extrapolate on what they are saying. You can include ideas in your DBQ only seen in the documents and not from your outside knowledge.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>One very important part of the DBQ is to use your own knowledge of history, outside of the documents. That way, you can weave analysis between the documents and your own knowledge to better prove your thesis. In fact, I would not discuss all of the documents extensively, but make some reference to them when appropriate as you are writing your essay. Try to smoothly integrate the documents into your essay rather than simply say, "In document C, blah blah blah is happening". If you address a document in that manner, make sure you analyze and explain its significance. And, try to use as many documents as possible, 4-5 is not adequate; anywhere fom 7-9 should be good. Most importantly though, use your outside knowledge of history!</p>
<p>anymore info
also i have a tendacy to restate the question in my thesis and my teacher says thats a weak thesis what else con i do for my thesis its difficult for me to come up with one?????</p>
<p>My teacher told us not to even read the documents until AFTER we've come up with a thesis and at least outlined the essay. Then put the documents in where they support your argument. Outside knowledge is much more important, don't get hung up on the documents. Do NOT summarize them. Include more than half of the documents. If you don't use them well, referencing more isn't better.</p>
<p>I agree with sheetmusic. Come up with your thesis first. If you just try to use all the documents, it'll come up choppy, as you're having to change your essay to include all of them. My teacher told me to use one more than one half. That way you have room for more analysis and outside information, so that the graders know you know what you're talking about instead of just reading the documents and making something up.</p>
<p>Honestly, though, if you know all your information, the DBQ isn't that hard. And remember: it's only one part of the exam, so you don't need to get a 9 to get a score of 5 on the test. I never really did a practice DBQ with my AP US History class, though my teacher talked about it. But I knew my history well, so I did well on it, I think. I got a 5 on the exam.</p>
<p>hey is your supressed with time like i did a practice DBQ in class and i was on my second point when the time ran up so i didn't get a third paragraph or colclusion done... </p>
<p>If the same situation occurs again on the ap exam should i not write my 3 paragraph nd skip to the last paragraph
is the conclusion a big part? if l leave it out will that be like a 3 on the DBQ</p>
<p>how would you divide it if your were on the situation???????</p>
<p>Do lots of practice DBQ's to learn to do them faster. Our teacher gave us around 40 minutes to do DBQ's in class, so the hour or whatever we had on the actual test seemed like plenty to plan, write, and revise an essay.</p>
<p>I don't believe the conclusion matters much at all. If you're running short of time, just skip it. Conclusions usually add little to nothing to the essay, so you're better off making another point. </p>
<p>If you don't have time to write a full out conclusion, just write a concluding sentence so that it brings your essay to a close. They aren't grading on style as much as on content.</p>
<p>I wasn't that pressed with time for my DBQ, though I admit I would have liked more time. Then again, I'm used to writing 40 min essays for English, which is harder for me than writing a history paper.</p>
<p>i am taking AP US History currently at my school
my teacher actually grades AP US DBQs and Essays during the summer
we have done a zillion dbqs this year and I cant remember one that i did not get a 8 or 9 on, and approx. 90% of the time I get 9s
Here is the Formula:
1. Strong thesis taking a position
like if it says "assess the validity of ...." then assess whether it was true or false and to what extent
be sure to include events that u will use as examples later on in the essay
2. LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS OF OUTSIDE INFO
i cant stress that more
3. use all docs except one or two and all i do is give a 1 sentence summary and then expand with outside info
4. my conclusions are always only one sentence long
just tell the reader what you have told him/her</p>
<p>I am a freshman in high school taking AP world history! It is the hardest class ever. I normally get all A+'s in all of my classes, but in this class i have a c! I was just checking this out becaus I have to write my first DBQ and i just wanted to say thanks, it has helped.</p>