US History
Notes on writing DBQ Essays
1. Write an introduction in which you orient the reader; state your thesis; and preview major topics to be developed in your essay. The thesis statement will drive your essay--everything you write must pertain to your thesis.
Example:
Billy Brown is a senior at Radishville High School and has lived in Radishville all his life. Though he has some significant strikes against him, including a police record, Billy still deserves to be crowned the Radish King at our local Radish Festival. Billy's work in the community, his involvement in sports and his record as a student all support his viability as a candidate for Radish King.
2. Next, develop the body of your essay using the topics previewed in the introduction as a guide. Be sure to tie each paragraph back to the thesis.
Example:
Billy Brown has been extensively involved in the community. He helps out at an old-folks home on a weekly basis and gets on well with the people there, even occasionally performing CPR (Doc. D)! He has formed and is the president of a model rocket club as well (Doc. C). This kind of involvement is something that any Radish King should have in his resume!
Note: Paragraphs on Billy's involvement in sports and his record as a student will follow.
3. Include a paragraph that develops the complexity of your essay by presenting evidence to the contrary of your thesis statement. Be sure to explain why this evidence does not overturn your thesis.
Example:
While it is true that Billy has a police record (Doc. F), this should not prevent him from being named Radish King. Clearly he did not mean to burn down the garage, which is why he was cited for only a misdemeanor instead of a felony. It should be noted that he was preparing rocket fuel for the Rocketry Club demonstration when the fire started.
4. Do not refer to documents as documents. Rather, work the content of the documents into the essay:
Bad: “Document B is an excerpt from Suzy’s diary saying she hates him.
Better: It is clear that not everyone likes Billy. His girlfriend, Suzy, noted in a diary entry that she hated him (Doc. B).
Even better: It is clear that not everyone likes Billy. His girlfriend, Suzy noted in a diary entry that she hated him (Doc. B). However, this should not exclude him from being the Radish King because we cannot trust the feelings on someone who is as obviously biased as Suzy.