Generic social studies DBQ information and worksheet
for students and parents
Note to parents and students:
The form below can be used to organize a document based question
(DBQ) for social studies. Included will be helpful tips and suggestions to help
the student outline the DBQ and and write the essay. Some DBQ’s will require
this form to be adjusted to address the required task.
DBQ Terms:
Historical context – background information about the topic of the essay.
Task – The question that the student needs to answer in the essay. Usually the
task involves answering more than one thing.
Documents – Each DBQ has usually between 4 to 9 documents. A document can
consist of an excerpt from a speech, a political cartoon, a graph or chart, etc..
Scaffolding questions – The questions that appear at the end of each document.
On NYS assessment and social studies Regents exams the scaffolding questions
are graded.
Outside information – Information that is not presented in the documents that
must be included in the essay. This information can come from class notes, text,
or even the brain. This information must be relevant to completing the task.
Document information – Information that is included in the documents that is
used in the essay to complete the task. Students should try to use information
from ALL the documents in the essay.
Thesis statement – The final sentence of the introduction that informs the reader
of the direction of the essay will. This statement must relate to the task, all
information presented in the essay should relate to the thesis statement.
Introductory paragraph – The first paragraph of the essay. The introduction
should consist of at least four sentences and include the thesis statement at the
end of the paragraph.
Body paragraphs – The paragraphs that follow the introduction and that precede
the conclusion. The number of body paragraphs is dependent upon how many
items the task is asking the writer to complete.
Conclusion – The final paragraph of the essay. This paragraph should begin by
restating the thesis statement followed by three to four sentences.
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Steps to Starting a DBQ:
1. Read the historical context.
2. Read the directions.
3. Read the task.
4. Read + examine all documents. Note the source of each document.
5. Make notes about what you know about each document along the
margins of each document.
6. Answer the scaffolding questions. Many times, the information in the
scaffolding answers is not used in the essay.
7. Begin the writing process.
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The Writing Process:
Directions: Complete the outline below using information from the documents and
outside information.
Intro: (You must have a thesis statement, relating to the task, at the end of introductory
paragraph. You can use the historical context to help form the sentences that precede the
thesis. The introduction should be at least four sentences in length. Use the space below
to write a rough introduction. Having trouble writing the introduction? See the tips
below.)
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Having trouble writing an introduction for a historical essay or DBQ?
Try this!
Line 1: Place/Topic
Line 2: Specific Era/Time Period
Line 3: Theme
Line 4 : Thesis – must relate to task/question
Example:
Technological developments have had a tremendous impact on American history.
During the age of Industrialization, 1865- 1900, technological developments helped to
increase the nation’s economic output. During this time period, many of these
developments effected people in different ways. New inventions, changes in
transportation and communication and rapid economic growth had positive and negative
results for the American people.
Body paragraph 1 (Each body paragraph must include both outside information and
document information relating to one part of the task. When using document information
you must mention the document number, for example; Document 3 , an excerpt from the
Declaration of Independence, states the reasons why colonists wanted to break away
from England. Be sure to start each paragraph with a topic sentence.)
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Body paragraph 2 (Each body paragraph must include both outside information and
document information relating to a different part of the task. When using document
information you must mention the document number. Be sure to start each paragraph
with a topic sentence.)
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*At this point check the task to determine if more body paragraphs are necessary.
Conclusion: (Begin by restating thesis and using more general statements as you
continue. Using some information from the historical context may help.)
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How did it go? Use the self-evaluation below to check your rough draft.
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Self-Evaluation Checklist:
Answer the following questions based upon your DBQ. You can also have Mom or Dad
complete this for you after reading your DBQ essay.
1. Does the thesis statement indicate the direction of the essay? Does it relate to the task?
Yes _____ No_____ If not, what is the thesis statement? ______________________
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How many sentences comprise the introduction? ______ How many should it have? ____
2. What topic does the first body paragraph discuss? _____________________________
*How many documents are used? _________
*Is outside information included? Yes _____ No _____
*Does the information in the paragraph relate to the task? Yes ____ No____
*Does the paragraph provide supporting details and facts? Yes _____ No _____
How might this paragraph be improved? ______________________________________
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3. What topic does the second body paragraph discuss? ___________________________
*How many documents are used? _________
*Is outside information included? Yes _____ No _____
* Does the information in the paragraph relate to the task? Yes ____ No____
*Does the paragraph provide supporting details and facts? Yes _____ No _____
How might this paragraph be improved? ______________________________________
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*Answer number 4 if necessary.
4. What topic does the third body paragraph discuss? _____________________________
*How many documents are used? _________
*Is outside information included? Yes _____ No _____
* Does the information in the paragraph relate to the task? Yes ____ No____
*Does the paragraph provide supporting details and facts? Yes _____ No _____
How might this paragraph be improved? ______________________________________
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5. How many different documents were used in the DBQ? _____ Should more documents
be used in this DBQ? Yes_____ No______
6. Does the conclusion begin by restating the thesis? Yes _____ No _____
7. In the space below comment on how might this DBQ be improved?
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Writing the final copy:
Using the self-evaluation and the rough draft, write the final copy.
*If written by hand use blue or black pen. You do not need to skip lines if hand written.
*If typing, the final copy double space the lines and use a 12 point font (Times New
Roman or similar easy to read font). Do not use bold print, italics or stencil type fonts.
*Be sure name and class period are at top of paper.
*Be sure to save all work.
*If your printer is not working you can email Mr. Bick your essay at jbick@bville.org .