Can someone explain how a DBQ essay is supposed to be written? Any techniques to share? I have to write a DBQ for my AP US History class but I don't understand what I'm supposed to be doing with these documents I have.

Question

anonymous · Answer

Oh yeah, DBQs...they suck.   So what you can do is split it up into five paragraphs: introduction, conclusion, how the prompt affects the country socially, how the prompt affects the country economically, how the prompt affects the country politically, and conclusion.  Standard procedure.  Hope I helped!

anonymous · Answer

Thanks! But what am I supposed to be doing with the documents given?

anonymous · Answer

No problem.  What I usually do is analyze them first.   What events are associated with the documents?  Did anything significant or anything that had to do with the prompt occur during these events?  Probably...so I go back to my textbook or whatever resources I was given and review a little bit.

anonymous · Answer

Oh, I see! So you're supposed figure out what kind of events are related to the documents and reflect on the information I was given! Thanks a lot! In the essay, am I supposed to quote the documents?

anonymous · Answer

Yes!  Quote the documents and make sure to cite it too.  So:  "Blah blah blah blah." (Document C)

anonymous · Answer

Alright thanks! You're the best! lol

anonymous · Answer

Haha, no problem :)