Hypermedia Tutorial ProjectTony Ambrose

EDC 601

Document Based Question Step by Step

Overview

DBQ Step by Step MENU

INTRODUCTIONWhat is a Document Based Question

How to Write a DBQ

Conclusion (RIC)

Examples with feedbackLook at peer writing samples and discover their strengths

and weaknesses

How to Write a DBQ

Body Paragraphs (Treereek)

QUIZ Test your abilities on DBQ writing!

How to Write a DBQ

Introduction Paragraph

(GET)

DOs and DON’Ts for DBQ writing

CLICK THE BUTTONS ABOVE FOR GUIDANCE THROUGH WRITING A DBQCLICK THE BUTTONS BELOW FOR EXTRA IMPORTANT TIPS AND TRICKS

References

Computer Requiremen

ts

THE D.B.Q. Rules• You must always:– Have three sentences in each paragraph– Use an introduction and conclusion paragraph– Use one more than half of the documents– Cite the documents as you use the information

• You will never– Use “me”, “my”, “I”, “in this essay”, or “in this

paragraph”.– Use improper grammar– Cite a document in the introduction or

conclusion paragraph– Ask a question

Writing Samples

Use this section to find the positives and negatives of DBQ writing

samples. There is an example for each type of paragraph (introduction,

body, conclusion).

Use the QUIZ section to test yourself to see if you recognize the

imperfections Intro Paragraph Example

TAKE THE QUIZ

Introductory ParagraphTask

- Discuss two British actions that caused colonists to rebel- Discuss two examples of colonial rebellions

Example: In 1776, American colonists announced their independence from Britian with the Declaration of Independence.From 1754 to

1763 the British and the American colonists were allies in the French Indian War, but this alliance was short lived.Britian was unfairly taxing the colonies to get out of debt from the French

Indian War. Americans colonists were subject to the Stamp act and the Tea Act. Americans resisted British military enforcement through the stamp act congress and the Boston Tea Party.

Purple: General StatementMaroon: Example/Evidence Statement (usually states the cause)

Yellow: Thesis Statements (note: Two thesis sentences as there are two parts to this task Body

Paragraph Example

EXIT

Body ParagraphTask

- Discuss two British actions that caused colonists to rebel- Discuss two examples of colonial rebellions

Example: The royal government of England passed many laws and took many actions that angered colonists. One of these such

actions was the Tea Act. The Tea Act was simply an added tax on tea, in addition to a law which stated that only British Tea could be sold in the colonies. This especially angered colonists because tea

was the most popular drink since it flavored the natural murky water colonists drank. Although tea was illegal if it was not British

tea, many colonists smuggled Dutch tea into the colonies. This was not only lucrative, but it also provided a sound solution to

supporting the British government, headed by King George III. The Tea Act was one of many British actions that led to colonial

rebellion. (Doc 4, Doc 7)

Note: This paragraph started with an intro and conclusion, had two documents cited, used proper grammar, provided details from the documents as well as outside information.

Concluding Paragraph Example

EXIT

Conclusion ParagraphTask

- Discuss two British actions that caused colonists to rebel- Discuss two examples of colonial rebellions

Example: In conclusion, the Tea Act and the Stamp Act were two British actions that caused colonists to rebel. Colonists

rebelled in such ways as organizing boycotts or having more violent protests like the Boston Massacre. Many

events occurred in Boston besides the Boston Massacre including the Boston Tea Party. These events led to the

American Revolution, without which America might still be under British rule today.

Purple: Restate Thesis Maroon: Interesting Fact

Yellow: Concluding Sentence More Analysis

EXIT

Following the Rule Book

EXIT

Check the DBQ Rule

Book

No Docum

ents in

introduction

Documents Cited Did not use me, my or I

G.E.T. Intro

Paragraph

TAKE THE QUIZ

What is a Document Based Question?

A Document Based Question (DBQ) is a theme for writing an essay using information provided by primary

documents. This type of essay is used as an assessment on the 8th Grade assessment and all state social studies assessments. You must explain, interpret and build on information provided by the documents.

You also must answer scaffolding questions which accompany each document.

Click here to download an example of a DBQ

Documents

Click to Download

2009’s teacher’s

rating guides

EXIT

A Note on Documents• All DBQs begin with scaffolding question

related to provided documents

Which could be maps, charts, political cartoons or passages. Be sure to complete all these questions as it is a large part of the grades.

Overview of DBQ Writing

EXIT

Click to see an example of a

set of documents

Overview of DBQ Writing

DBQs require a balance of information from the documents provided and knowledge from your own mind. Historians analyze primary documents to draw conclusions about the past. Just as you practice poetry in english class, or experiment in science class, you need to act like a historian through this essay. Your goal should be to write an essay on the task provided for you,

using DETAILS from the documents as supporting evidence. It is your job to prove the historical context correct.

A Message to Parents (looking to help their child work on a DBQ): Encourage your children to use the knowledge

learned in class as the basis of their essay, not information found in the documents. Use this program and resources

found in the main menu as a resource to write a solid DBQ.

DBQ Writing 101EXIT

DBQ Writing: 101

• In order to write a DBQ essay, use the G.E.T.; T.R.E.E.R.E.E.K.; R.I.C. format…explore the upcoming slides to learn how to write the essay…

How to write a DBQ Introductory Paragraph

EXIT

WRITING the INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

• The introductory paragraph is the most important paragraph in your essay for the following reasons:

• This gives the grader a first impression. The grader usually has an idea of what the grade will probably be based on the first two sentences.

• You will be briefly satisfying the task in this paragraph, so the grader knows after reading this paragraph where they will be docking you points.

• Write this paragraph using the G.E.T. Method

The GET MethodEXIT

The GET Method for Introductory Paragraphs

• The GET method is used to write solid introductory DBQ paragraphs. It breaks the paragraph style down into three parts. As you progress through this section, each part will be explained in more detail– G: General Statement– E: Example/Evidence– T: Thesis Statement

The G StatementEXIT

General Statement

– This is your first sentence, it is a general statement about the topic of the DBQ

– This sentence should only introduce the reader to the topic

– This sentence should not bring up any examples or anything related to the topic

General Statement Tips and Tricks

EXIT

General Statement - Tips• Simply define the broad topic

• (for example, if it is a Civil Rights DBQ, define Civil Rights in a complete sentence)

• Try rewording/summarizing the Historical Context

• Great ways to start off• “Throughout American history…”• “There have been many…”• The ____________ was a time/is when…”

• Check the DBQ Rule Book for things you should never do

Writing an E

Statement

Check the DBQ Rule

BookEXIT

Evidence/Example Statement

• This is a sentence or two that fills out the middle of your paragraph. Usually, it is best to explain the historical event(s) that caused the topic, or caused the events you will be writing about– For example, if it is an American

Revolution DBQ, explain the French and Indian War

– For example, if it is a Civil Rights DBQ, explain Plessy vs. Ferguson Writing a T

StatementEXIT

Thesis Statement

• To round out your introductory paragraph, write a thesis statement, which satisfies the task. In other words, you are answering the task by saying what you will be writing about.– For example, if the task says to discuss

two topics, then mention the two topics you will be discussing.

– This should be as many sentences as there are task bullets

T StatementTips

EXIT

Thesis Statement - Tips

• The Thesis Statement should list the historical events/examples you will be discussing.– Start with “Some of the ways…include…”• Example: “Discuss positive effects of technology in the

United States.”• …”Two examples of positive effects of technology

include increased communication and manufacturing.”

• Make sure the examples you use in your thesis are the examples you will expand upon in your essay.

Writing the Body Paragraphs

EXIT

The Body Paragraphs• There should be several body paragraphs of a

minimum of 4 sentences each. • Use the TreeReeC format you have learned in English

– T-Topic Sentence – Start to discuss one of your examples/events from your thesis

– R – Reason – Explain how your topic sentence example relates to the task (for the first bullet)

– E – Examples – Discuss it in detail…say everything you know FOR CERTAIN about the example/event

– R – Reason – Explain the next example/event from your thesis (for the first bullet)

– E – Examples – Discuss it in detail…say everything you know FOR CERTAIN about the example/event

– C – Conclusion A Note on Topic and Conclusion

SentencesEXIT

A Note on Topic and Conclusion Sentences

• Students tend to have the most trouble coming up with Topic and Conclusion sentences

• Topic Sentences: Simply introduce the first example you will be discussing

• Example: “The Tea Act is another example of British a action which led to the American Revolution.”

• Conclusion Sentences: Conclusions are broad sentences that wrap up what you are discussing

• Example: “The Tea Act and the Stamp Act are just two of many examples which led to the American Revolution.”Click here to

see examples of quality

DBQsCiting Documents

EXIT

Citing Documents• You must use one more than half of the documents in

your essay, meaning, you must use information from at least 4-5 documents.

• If you use information from a document, you must cite that document in one of three ways.– End of sentence: In parentheses, write “doc ___”, after the

sentence• Example: Uncle Tom’s Cabin showed the hardships of slavery. (Doc.

4)

– End of paragraph: In parentheses, write all the documents used in the paragraph • Example: …The publishing of Uncle Tom’s Cabin was one of many

contributing factors to sectionalism. (doc. 4, doc. 6)

– In the wording: State that you found the information in the document• Example: According to Document 2, Uncle Tom’s Cabin exposed the

hardships of slavery.Writing a RIC Conclusion

EXIT

R.I.C. Conclusions• Conclusion Paragraphs are written in the

R.I.C. Style.– R: Restate Thesis – Reward your thesis in a way

that lets the reader know you just proved something to them• Start off with “As one can see…” or “In conclusion…”

– I: Interesting Fact – Say any fun fact about the topic.

– C: Concluding Sentence – The best C Sentences say where America is today because of the topic• Example: Though racism still exists, African-Americans

have now achieved equality because of the Civil Rights MovementEXI

T

QUIZ

Take the Quiz to see if your DBQ expertise is up to par:

Which of the following is the only thing you can use in a DBQ essay?

Me or My Document 2

In this essayThis is my first paragraph on

Teddy Roosevelt

Click for Voice Narration

QUIZ

Which of the following is the correct order

RIC>TREEREEC>GET

GET>TREEREEC>RIC

TREEREEC>GET>RIC

GET>RIC>TREEREEC

Click for Voice Narration

QUIZ

This introduction is missing an E

Statement

This introduction is missing a G

Statement

This introduction is missing a

Thesis Statement

Click for Voice Narration

Which of the following is true?

QUIZ

Citations of documents

A discussion of Freedom Rides

Definition of a sit-in

This body paragraph is missing all of the following except:

Conclusion Sentence

Click for Voice Narration

QUIZ

3. Which of the following is the best thesis statement?

There were many causes of the Civil War which I will now discuss.

Two examples of events that caused the Civil War include John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry and the Kansas-

Nebraska Act.

The Civil War was initially a battle for slavery, which then developed into two separate countries battling to keep

America together.

Click for Voice Narration

QUIZ

YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY FINISHED THE QUIZ

WHICH MEANS AFTER LONG LAST YOU ANSWERED EVERY QUESTION

CORRECTLY EXIT

QUIZIncorrect

TryAgain

References

• New York State Education Department. (2010). Grade 8 Social Studies. Retrieved February 18, 2010 from http://www.nysedregents.org/Grade8/SocialStudies/home.html

• Upstate History. Document Based Questions. Retrieved February 19, 2010 from http://www.upstatehistory.org/services/DHP/DBQ.html

Computing Requirements

• Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 (or equivalent)

• Microsoft Word 97 – 2007 (or equivalent)

• Adobe Acrobat Reader• Internet Access

An example of selected documents from the 2008 assessment