DBQ Essay Strategies and Techniques

The video tutorial provides a comprehensive guide to mastering the Document-Based Question (DBQ) section of the AP World History exam. It covers the importance of the DBQ, strategies for analyzing the prompt, organizing and analyzing documents, structuring the essay, and understanding the scoring system. The tutorial also offers tips on sourcing documents and adding complexity to essays, concluding with final advice for exam success.

Why is the DBQ considered the most valuable part of the AP World History exam?

• It is the easiest section to complete.

• It is the most enjoyable section.

• It takes the least amount of time.

• It is worth the most points and takes the most time.

What should you do immediately after reading the DBQ prompt?

• Start writing the essay.

• Rewrite the prompt on scratch paper.

• Take a break.

• Read all the documents.

How should you approach reading the documents for the DBQ?

• Ignore the documents and focus on the prompt.

• Read each document carefully and annotate it.

• Quickly skim through the documents.

• Read each document multiple times.

What is the purpose of identifying document groups in the DBQ?

• To confuse the reader.

• To avoid reading the documents.

• To structure the body paragraphs.

• To make the essay longer.

What should the first paragraph of your DBQ essay include?

• A list of sources.

• Contextualization and a thesis statement.

• A summary of all documents.

• A detailed analysis of one document.

What is the easiest point to earn on the DBQ according to the instructor?

• Writing the conclusion.

• Sourcing the documents.

• Describing the documents.

• Supporting your thesis.

What is a key strategy for supporting your thesis with documents?

• Quoting the documents extensively.

• Writing about unrelated topics.

• Ignoring the documents.

• Using the information in the documents to back up your argument.

What should you consider when sourcing a document?

• The length of the document.

• The historical context, audience, purpose, and point of view.

• The number of words in the document.

• The color of the document.

What is 'evidence beyond the documents'?

• Irrelevant historical facts.

• Information from the documents.

• Personal opinions.

• Additional knowledge about the topic not included in the documents.

How can you achieve complexity in your DBQ essay?

• By writing a very long essay.

• By using evidence from all seven documents and sourcing four documents.

• By ignoring the documents.

• By using only one document.