1. DBQ ESSAY
Practice like
you play!

2. So . . .
• 50% of your score is the multiple
choice.
• 50% of your score is from the three
essays.
• Comparative
• CCOT
• DBQ

3. Basic
Core
• Initial 7 points . . .

4. • The thesis is
really
important in
scoring three
of the points.
• Answer THE
question!

5. Using Documents
• EVERY
DOCUMENT must
be mentioned in
your essay.
• You cannot
―double-dip‖ for
document points.
You must use
documents more
than once for it to
count more than

6. Using Documents
• #2 = Understanding
means you interpret it
correctly (by grouping
or describing it).
• #3 = You then use the
document as evidence
for your thesis.
• #5 = To get points for
grouping, you show
how groups of
documents are similar.

7. Point of View
You score points for
#4 by telling WHY
the author says
what he or she
says.
The author says _______
because __________.

8. Additional Doc
• Give two types of
additional sources or
perspectives that are
missing or would be
helpful in answering
the prompt.
• You also need to
explain why that
source is needed to
score the point.

9. DBQ PRACTICE - 2004
10 minute reading period
• Read the prompt and underline key words --
what is it asking?
• Read the documents. . . As you read, think
about or write…
– subject words
– possible groupings ―responses to Buddhism‖
– Use all documents in at least one group
– you can use documents in more than one group
• Write the group names and the doc #s that
go in those groups.

10. WRITE IT! DBQ 2004
1. Write a thesis paragraph.
Restate the prompt in the first
sentence.
“There were many responses to . .
.”
Write your thesis sentences that
includes your groups that
answer the prompt.
“The responses were . . .”

11. WRITE IT! DBQ 2004
2. Write a body paragraph about one of
your groups.
The topic sentence gives one of your
groups with the document #s.
“Some responses to the spread of Buddhism
were _______ (Docs 12, 11, 7)”
Then write a sentence or two that explains
each document in the group and/or shows
how it fits in that group.
“In Doc 12, Bob Smith writes ____. Tim
Jones in Doc 11 also _____ because he

12. WRITE IT! DBQ 2004
3. Choose three documents, and a write a
paragraph about the point of view of
those authors.
The topic sentence can be . . . “The
authors of each doc has his or her own
point of view about the spread of
Buddhism.”
Then give the point of view of three
authors and explain why they have that
point of view.
“Bill Jones was writing during a time of
war in China, so he supports Buddhism

13. WRITE IT! DBQ 2004
4. Write a short paragraph about an
additional document that is ―needed‖.
The topic sentence can be . . . “Additional
documents could provide other
responses to Buddhism.”
• Region, class or group, time period
that’s missing.
• ―Flip the perspective‖. Find a
document that is about a person or
group of people but their views are
NOT presented—then that type of

14. WRITE IT! DBQ 2004
• You need to explain briefly why that
document is needed.
“An additional document could be a
statement from a Chinese merchant.
Merchants may view Buddhism in a
different way than others in China. (or
merchants may have supported
Buddhism because it might help in
trade connections.)”

15. Scoring
Thesis – located at the beginning or the end, must include specific
references to types of responses
Uses and understands the basic meaning of 5 documents.
Supports thesis with evidence from 4 docs.
POV in two documents. ―Student may not copy source verbatim
from the documents.‖
Grouping –
positive (1), 2, 3, 5
Negative 4, 6
Responses during times of crisis 2, 3
Fear of outsiders/ traditional confucianism 4,6
Blended responses 2, 3, 5, (1