How to Analyze a DBQ

​How to Analyze a DBQ (Not Summarize It)

AP World History — Skill Focus: DBQ Writing

By Isiah Jones

• Open: Sample DBQ Essay

• Read and analyze the sample looking for:

  • Thesis

  • Contextualization

  • Source citation

  • Analysis and reasoning,

Multiple Choice

Which sentence provides historical CONTEXT for the argument?

• A. Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses challenged Church practices.

  B. Europe became divided between Catholic and Protestant regions.

  C. Before the Reformation, the Catholic Church held religious authority across most of Europe. ✅

  D. Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church.

• B. Europe became divided between Catholic and Protestant regions.

• C. Before the Reformation, the Catholic Church held religious authority across most of Europe.

• D. Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church.

Open Ended

2. Which sentence is the THESIS of the response?

Multiple Choice

Why does the phrase “to a large extent” strengthen the thesis?

• It suggests a minor impact on the thesis.
• It acknowledges significant influence without being absolute.
• It implies complete certainty in the argument.
• It introduces ambiguity to the main point.

Open Ended

Which sentence is an example of ANALYSIS rather than summary?

Open Ended

How does the author move from summary to analysis in Body Paragraph 1?

Multiple Choice

Which HIPP element is MOST clearly used when the essay explains Luther’s goal?

• Purpose
• Audience
• Context
• Tone

Open Ended

Why does the example of Henry VIII strengthen the essay?

Multiple Choice

Why does the essay include a paragraph about limits to the argument?

• To summarize the main points and conclude the discussion.
• To reinforce the main argument and provide additional evidence.
• To introduce new ideas unrelated to the main argument.
• To demonstrate complexity and earn a higher AP score

Open Ended

Which revision would MOST improve this essay’s AP score?