AP World History Document Based Question (DBQ) Assignment

Rationale: Students in Advanced Placement World History are expected to be able to write an essay response to a question based on a set of primary and secondary documents for the purpose of analyzing the documents, grouping the documents, recognizing point of view and making inferences about the topics in the documents. In order to become more familiar with the process, students will create their own DBQ.

  1. Students will pick a topic in the time period 1750-1914. These topics can be found in the Stearns textbook and on the course syllabus. A typical topic might be to analyze the effects of Belgian colonization on the Congo region. Topics must be approved by the teacher prior to beginning part I (the research paper). You may not choose the French Revolution or Industrial Revolution for your topic as we have already covered those topics thoroughly.
  1. For part one of the DBQ assignment, students will write a two to three page report (typed, double-spaced) on the topic. The purpose of this portion of the assignment is for students to become familiar with the events and concepts involved in the topic.
  1. Students will write their question for the DBQ essay.
  1. Students will select eight primary or secondary documents that give information, interpretation, graphic representation (maps, graphs, political cartoons) or otherwise relate to the topic. Documents should be chosen with the ultimate goal of answering the question on the topic.
  1. All documents must be cited by number with the sources clearly stated. [see format instructions]
  1. Students will write the essay using their question and documents. The DBQ rubric from the AP World History reading will be used by the teacher to evaluate the essay. [ you should have a copy in your binder]

This project will be graded as follows:

Part I research report = 80 points

Question = 20 points

Documents = 88 points [eleven points each]

Formatting =12 points [includes writing the directions at the beginning of the DBQ-see next page, historical

background for your question, boxes around documents with document number and source-remember this needs to be more than the URL]

=200% of DBQ project

Final DBQ essay will be assessed as an essay in the essay category.

Information about the DBQ from the AP Central’s Acorn Book—Thedocument-based question is an exercise in both analysis and synthesis. It requires thatstudents first read and analyze the documents individually and then plan and constructan appropriate response to the essay question based on their interpretation of thedocumentary evidence. The student’s interpretation must group documents to showanalysis of the different content and points of view. What is required is a clear thesisstatement and an analysis of documents that fully addresses the question.

REQUIRED FORMAT FOR SUBMISSION OF DBQ DOCUMENTS

[The Directions must be at the beginning of your DBQ. Feel free to cut/paste the Directions as seen below inside the two bold lines. You will see these same directions on the AP exam.]

Directions: The following question is based on the accompanying Documents 1-8. The documents have been edited for the purpose of this exercise.

This question is designed to test your ability to work with and understand historical documents.

Write an essay that:

  • Has a relevant thesis and supports that thesis with evidence from the documents.
  • Uses all of the documents.
  • Analyzes the documents by grouping them in a s many appropriate ways as possible. Does not simply summarize the documents individually.
  • Takes into account the source of the documents and analyzes the authors’ points of view..
  • Explains the need for at least one additional type of document.

You may refer to relevant historical information not mentioned in the documents.

Question: The question must be answerable based solely on your 8 documents. It should be a higher order thinking question.

EX:Question: Based on the following documents, discuss the impact of industrialization on workers in the United States from 1865 to 1914 and evaluate the ways that individuals and government responded to the problems created by industrialization

Historical Background:This information can be two-four sentences describing the period and background for the event or topic you have chosen.This should help establish an understanding and context for the question. [This can come in part from your research paper.]

EX:The industrialization, which followed the Civil War, had a great impact on many different area of life in the United States. One of the groups most affected by the growth of industry was the worker.

Documents: These should be edited for clarity and be no longer than a half page. Source must include name of person or publication, purpose of document if known [diary, edict, etc.], date, country of origin if relevant. Citing the URL is not citing the source. You need to have enough information to be able to determine POV.