Document-based questions are one of three different types of essays you will need to be able to write on the AP exam, and in class. The document-based question is sometimes better understood as an evidence-based question: you will be given a question on an historical topic, and then provided with a series of documents, charts, maps, photographs, paintings, and other sources as evidence you will use to formulate your answer.
Because the document-based question (DBQ) is a skills-based essay rather than a content-based question, it has a lot of moving parts. This can make the DBQ seem very difficult to students who have not yet developed the analytical and writing skills used ihn this type of essay– but those skills can be developed with time and practice.
So what does a DBQ ask you to do? Per the instructions given in the College Board exam, your DBQ should:
Because the document-based question (DBQ) is a skills-based essay rather than a content-based question, it has a lot of moving parts. This can make the DBQ seem very difficult to students who have not yet developed the analytical and writing skills used ihn this type of essay– but those skills can be developed with time and practice.
So what does a DBQ ask you to do? Per the instructions given in the College Board exam, your DBQ should:
- Respond to the prompt with a historically defensible thesis or claim that establishes a line of reasoning.
- Describe a broader historical context relevant to the prompt.
- Support an argument in response to the prompt using at least six documents.
- Use at least ONE additional piece of specific historical evidence (BEYOND that found in the documents) relevant to an argument about the prompt.
- For at least THREE documents, explain how or why the document's point of view, purpose, historical situation, and/or audience is relevant to an argument.
- Use evidence to corroborate, qualify, or modify an argument that addresses the prompt.
- Read for content and analysis
- Annotate the HECK out of your documents
- Think about how to group your documents (to help with the development of your argument)
- Write a thesis, if you’ve got time
In order to analyze documents, you should use this historical thinking chart to guide you.
Click the image for the PDF version.