Guide to APUSH DBQ

Many have asked me to write a guide on how to approach an APUSH DBQ, so for your convenience, here is all I know (or have learned from my experiences) regarding how to approach an APUSH DBQ.

Keep in mind that APUSH DBQs ["free responses"] are different in expectations and content from other DBQs.

So how do you write a DBQ? See the below guidelines.

HOW TO TAKE A DBQ

1. Read the question very carefully making sure to answer each part of the question
   
2. Prepare an outline and thesis sentence
3. Organize your essay thematically. This is very important!
4. Skip a line between paragraphs and keep margins so you have a place to add any last minute thoughts.
   
5. You are never finished until time is up. You earn no points staring off into space. Keep writing!! Find one more doc to discuss. Bring in one more piece of outside knowledge. Make one more compare/contrast analysis. Be relentless in your pursuit of excellent!

WHAT YOU MAKE SURE YOU DO

1. Refer to a "substantial" amount of documents, that is, half + 1 of the docs. You need not discuss them all.
2. Mention important people when you recognize them in the docs and/or title of the docs.
   
3. Look for "change over time" and make sure to mention it. This is important it. This is often evident by comparing the last doc or two to previous ones.
   
4. Quote from docs, but only in phrases and not entire sentences if it can be helped. Longer is not better here.
   
5. Show how docs relate to each other. This is important for analysis. You must show analysis of docs or how outside knowledge compares/contrasts to docs. In one sentence state how two docs are similar or how they contrast with each other -- really important!
   
6. Bring in your outside knowledge, at least twice. But remember that in a DBQ the points are document-oriented, not original knowledge-oriented.
7. Remember that the last doc is often important, especially as it often shows change over time.
   
8. Look for bias and point of view. Remember that political cartoons are biased by nature. Pointing out bias or the reason for a source's point of view is your analysis.
9. Make sure that you answer (each part of) the question in your introductory paragraph using key words.

WHAT TO AVOID

1. DO NOT discuss the docs in order. This is called a "laundry list" Look for themes instead.
   
2. DO NOT bother to use whiteout. Just cross out and continue writing.
   
3. DO NOT worry about creative writing or literary style. Keep that to your English class. Power through with evidence to support your thesis.
   
4. DO NOT repeat the historical background paragraph that is often found at the very beginning of the DBQ.