How To Do a

How To DoHow To Doaa

DD BB QQ

A “Dazzling” D.B.Q.A “Dazzling” D.B.Q.Is Like a Tasty Is Like a Tasty

HamburgerHamburger

The The “Top Bun”“Top Bun” of your essay! of your essay!

4-6 sentences4-6 sentences

The Introductory The Introductory ParagraphParagraph

1.1. Establish Establish TIME & PLACETIME & PLACE..2.2. Create a clear, Create a clear, THESIS STATEMENT THESIS STATEMENT

Answer the questionAnswer the question..3.3. List the List the SUB-TOPICSSUB-TOPICS or categories you or categories you

will use to support your thesis will use to support your thesis statement.statement.

4.4. Focus on the question at hand—do NOT Focus on the question at hand—do NOT begin with a “flowery” or “cheesy” begin with a “flowery” or “cheesy” sentence! Never “ I am going to write sentence! Never “ I am going to write about…” Or … “for many reasons”!!!about…” Or … “for many reasons”!!!

5.5. No “laundry list!”No “laundry list!”

The Introductory ParagraphThe Introductory Paragraph

ThesisThesis• The thesis of your essay will be the answer The thesis of your essay will be the answer

to the question you have constructed. It to the question you have constructed. It can be more than one sentence, AND it can be more than one sentence, AND it must include WHY that is the answer to the must include WHY that is the answer to the question. question.

• Your answer (thesis) should take into Your answer (thesis) should take into account all sides of the issue. Stronger account all sides of the issue. Stronger essays show analysis of the issue from essays show analysis of the issue from different perspectives. different perspectives.

• Remember, every single sentence of your Remember, every single sentence of your essay should support your thesis.essay should support your thesis.

The The “tasty” part“tasty” part of your of your essay!essay!

8-12 sentences+ per 8-12 sentences+ per paragraphparagraph

The “The “””MeatMeat””” Paragraphs” Paragraphs

1.1. Make the 1Make the 1stst sentence of each paragraph sentence of each paragraph your Topic Sentence. (~paragraph thesis)your Topic Sentence. (~paragraph thesis)

2.2. Include the documents that are relevant Include the documents that are relevant to support the ideas in the paragraph.to support the ideas in the paragraph.

3.3. Use most of the documents given.Use most of the documents given.4.4. Bring in supportive outside information. Bring in supportive outside information.

This is criticalThis is critical!!!! * * o.i.’so.i.’s = “ = “ooutside utside iinformation”nformation”

5.5. Organize you docs w/ with your thoughts. Organize you docs w/ with your thoughts. Why were these documents selected? Why were these documents selected?

6.6. Every sentence you write should have Every sentence you write should have something to do with the Thesis which is something to do with the Thesis which is the answer to the question.the answer to the question.

The “The “””MeatMeat””” Paragraphs” Paragraphs

1.1. Attribution Attribution Who is this person? Who is this person?2.2. Why might they be significant?Why might they be significant?3.3. What is the point of view (POV) of the What is the point of view (POV) of the

author?author?4.4. How reliable and accurate is the source?How reliable and accurate is the source?5.5. What is the tone or intent of the What is the tone or intent of the

document author?document author?6.6. What other information does this What other information does this

document call to mind? Use all available document call to mind? Use all available clues.clues.Remember, docs. can be used in a variety of Remember, docs. can be used in a variety of

ways!ways!

Questions to Ask Yourself About Questions to Ask Yourself About the Documentsthe Documents

1.1. Bernal Diaz del Castillo, Bernal Diaz del Castillo, in his book on in his book on the Conquest,the Conquest, said: “………………….” said: “………………….”

2.2. The Tlaxcalan Codex, The Tlaxcalan Codex, an Aztec book an Aztec book recording historyrecording history, shows a….., shows a…..

3.3. The The Roman historian of 400 C.E., Roman historian of 400 C.E., Ammianus MarcellinusAmmianus Marcellinus, felt that , felt that …………………. …………………. (Doc. E)(Doc. E)NEVERNEVER begin with: In Document 3, ….. begin with: In Document 3, …..

How to Reference a How to Reference a Document in Your EssayDocument in Your Essay

The The “Bottom Bun”“Bottom Bun” of your of your essay!essay!

It holds it all together!It holds it all together!

3-4 sentences3-4 sentences

The Concluding The Concluding ParagraphParagraph

1.1. Start with a “concluding phrase.”Start with a “concluding phrase.”2.2. Restate your thesis statement a bit Restate your thesis statement a bit

differently.differently.3.3. Put your essay answer in a larger Put your essay answer in a larger

historical perspectivehistorical perspective..End of some trend/movement/idea, End of some trend/movement/idea, etc.etc.Beginning of some Beginning of some trend/movement/ideatrend/movement/ideaEnd of one & beginning of another.End of one & beginning of another.Do NOT end on the note that this is Do NOT end on the note that this is the reason we are where we are the reason we are where we are today!today!

The Concluding” ParagraphThe Concluding” Paragraph

Put It All Together, And . . . .Put It All Together, And . . . .

Ummmmm, Burger!Ummmmm, Burger!

I Mean, A Perfect Essay!I Mean, A Perfect Essay!

DBQ STEPSDBQ STEPS1. 1. Evaluate the question.Evaluate the question.2.2. Graphic Organizer based on the question.Graphic Organizer based on the question.

1.1. Outside Information = 50%Outside Information = 50%2.2. Document Placement?Document Placement?

2. Work the Documents2. Work the Documents1. Go back to graphic organizer and add info/ 1. Go back to graphic organizer and add info/ place docs/ or categorize docs = PES?place docs/ or categorize docs = PES?

3.3. ThesisThesis4.4. OutlineOutline5.5. Just add grammar!Just add grammar!

STEP 1 = Evaluate the question. STEP 1 = Evaluate the question. What IS the question asking What IS the question asking

me?????me????? What is the What is the directivedirective?? AnalyzeAnalyze the differences and similarities the differences and similarities

between the collapse of both the between the collapse of both the Roman and Aztec Empires.Roman and Aztec Empires. Use Use the following areas:the following areas:Domestic Domestic

ForeignForeignSocial Social

Step 1: What is the Step 1: What is the TopicTopic??

Political Political EconomicEconomicSocialSocial

Step 2: Put in the form of a Step 2: Put in the form of a question.question.

Step 1: Put in the form of a Step 1: Put in the form of a questionquestion

• What were the differences and What were the differences and similarities between the Roman and similarities between the Roman and Aztec Empires collapse?Aztec Empires collapse?

Step 1: The exact Step 1: The exact time periodtime period Analyze the differences and similarities Analyze the differences and similarities

between the between the Roman World and the Aztec Roman World and the Aztec World World in terms of TWO of the following:in terms of TWO of the following:Domestic (Political Affairs) Domestic (Political Affairs) Foreign (Invaders)Foreign (Invaders)SocialSocial

WHEN? 400 – 500 C.E. and 1500 – 1530 C.E.WHEN? 400 – 500 C.E. and 1500 – 1530 C.E.

Step :2 Brainstorm ALL factsStep :2 Brainstorm ALL factsDomestic/ Domestic/ PoliticalPolitical

ForeignForeign SocialSocial

RomanRoman

AztecAztec

Step 2Step 2• Brainstorm and list all facts that can Brainstorm and list all facts that can

possiblypossibly be used in the essay. You be used in the essay. You may decide not to use all the facts in may decide not to use all the facts in the list, but it is better to have too the list, but it is better to have too many facts than not enough. many facts than not enough.

• Organize your facts, paying close Organize your facts, paying close attention to their significance. attention to their significance. Remember, using significant, relevant Remember, using significant, relevant facts will move an essay from a 2-4 to facts will move an essay from a 2-4 to a 5-7.a 5-7.

Step 3: ThesisStep 3: Thesis

• Your thesis is the ANSWER to the Your thesis is the ANSWER to the question you posed AND the thesis question you posed AND the thesis must also include WHY that is the must also include WHY that is the answer.answer.

ThesisThesis• The thesis of your essay will be the answer The thesis of your essay will be the answer

to the question you have constructed. It to the question you have constructed. It can be more than one sentence, AND it can be more than one sentence, AND it must include WHY that is the answer to the must include WHY that is the answer to the question. question.

• Your answer (thesis) should take into Your answer (thesis) should take into account all sides of the issue. Stronger account all sides of the issue. Stronger essays show analysis of the issue from essays show analysis of the issue from different perspectives. different perspectives.

• Remember, every single sentence of your Remember, every single sentence of your essay should support your thesis.essay should support your thesis.

Organize Your ThoughtsOrganize Your Thoughts

• OutlineOutline• Pseudo Outline Pseudo Outline

– Number and letter your Graphic organizer Number and letter your Graphic organizer and Docsand Docs

OutlineOutlineThesis Statement: Thesis Statement: IntroductionIntroductionIncludes your thesis. Your thesis for historical writing does not need to be one Includes your thesis. Your thesis for historical writing does not need to be one

sentence. You may take the paragraph if you wish.sentence. You may take the paragraph if you wish.First Topic SentenceFirst Topic Sentence

Evidence 1 ( Supporting Sentences)Evidence 1 ( Supporting Sentences)Evidence 2 Evidence 2 Evidence 3Evidence 3Evidence 4Evidence 4

First Topic SentenceFirst Topic SentenceEvidence 1 ( Supporting Sentences)Evidence 1 ( Supporting Sentences)Evidence 2 Evidence 2 Evidence 3Evidence 3Evidence 4Evidence 4

First Topic SentenceFirst Topic SentenceEvidence 1 ( Supporting Sentences)Evidence 1 ( Supporting Sentences)Evidence 2 Evidence 2 Evidence 3Evidence 3Evidence 4Evidence 4

ConclusionConclusionRefer back to your thesisRefer back to your thesisSum up your essay.Sum up your essay.

Just Add GrammarJust Add Grammar

YOUYOUCANCANDODOIT!!IT!!