• Explaining nuance of an issue by analyzing multiple variables
• Explaining both similarity and difference, or explaining both continuity and change, or explaining multiple causes, or explaining both cause and effect
• Explaining relevant and insightful connections within and across periods
• Confirming the validity of an argument by corroborating multiple perspectives across themes
• Qualifying or modifying an argument by considering diverse or alternative views or evidence
This understanding must be part of the argument, not merely a phrase or reference.
- Take notes in the margins during the reading period relating to the background of the speaker and his/her possible point of view.
- Assume that each document provides only a snapshot of the topic—just one perspective.
- Look for connections between documents for grouping.
- In the documents booklet, mark off documents that you use so that you do not forget to mention them.
- As you are writing, refer to the authorship of the documents, not just the document numbers.
- Mention additional documents and the reasons why they would help further analyze the question.
- Mark off each part of the instructions for the essay as you accomplish them.
- Use visual and graphic information in documents that are not text-based.
Don’t:
- Repeat information from the historical background in your essay.
- Assume that the documents are universally valid rather than presenting a single perspective.
- Spend too much time on the AP World History DBQ rather than moving on to the other essay.
- Write the first paragraph before you have a clear idea of what your thesis will be.
- Ignore part of the question.
- Structure the essay with just one paragraph.
- Underline or highlight the thesis. (This may be done as an exercise for class, but it looks juvenile on the exam.)
For more help prepping for the AP World History exam, check out our AP World History Prep Plus .
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COMMENTS
The Document-Based Question (DBQ) asked students to evaluate the extent to which European imperialism had an impact on the economies of Africa and/or Asia. Responses were expected to address the time frame of the 19th through the early 20th centuries and to demonstrate the historical thinking skill of causation.
Step 2: Plan Your Response. Next, take time to plan your response. Focus on formulating a strong thesis, and check your plan against the six DBQ requirements. See the sample plan that a high-scoring writer might make. Scoring requirements are written in bold for reference; note that the writer includes six of the seven documents and plans to ...
Download free-response questions from this year's exam and past exams along with scoring guidelines, sample responses from exam takers, and scoring distributions. If you are using assistive technology and need help accessing these PDFs in another format, contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 212-713-8333 or by email at ssd@info ...
Step 2: Plan Your Response. Next, take time to plan your response. Check your plan against the long essay question require- ments. See the following sample plan that a high-scoring writer might make; scoring requirements are written in bold for reference. Step 3: Action! Write Your Response & Step 4: Proofread.
One of the best ways to prepare for the DBQ (the "document-based question" on the AP European History, AP US History, and AP World History exams) is to look over sample questions and example essays. Doing this will help you to get a sense of what makes a good (and what makes a bad) DBQ response. That said, not all DBQ essay examples are created equal.
How DBQs Work on the AP World History Exam. The DBQ format AP World History uses consists of a single open-ended prompt, and will focus on the time period of 1450-2001. Question Type. # of Questions. % of Total Score. Multiple Choice. 55 questions. 40%. Short Answer.
AP ® World History: Modern Sample Student Responses and Scoring Commentary Inside: Document-Based Question ... of the exam, essays may contain errors that do not detract from their overall quality, as long as the historical content used to advance the argument is accurate.
DBQ Writing Samples & Feedback DBQ Student Practice Sample 1. From 1200 to 1450, the rulers of empires came up with several methods conssolidating power. An example of this is the Mongol's implementation of trade and tolerance of the spread of religion. This paved the way for future rulers to hold power while ensuring that their empire would ...
Let's take a look at a sample AP World History DBQ question and techniques to construct a solid thesis. Using the following documents, analyze how the Ottoman government viewed ethnic and religious groups within its empire for the period 1876-1908. Identify an additional document and explain how it would help you analyze the views of the ...
The DBQ, or document-based-question, is a somewhat unusually-formatted timed essay on the AP History Exams: AP US History, AP European History, and AP World History. Because of its unfamiliarity, many students are at a loss as to how to even prepare, let alone how to write a successful DBQ essay on test day. Never fear!
Our AP World History DBQ example will guide you through the step to a perfect answer. Evaluate the effects of the Columbian Exchange on the peoples and cultures of the Old World (Europe, Asia, Africa) and the New World (Americas) from the late 15th century to the 17th century. Guided Response: Thesis/Claim (A): The Columbian Exchange, initiated ...
Another great World History slideshare, this one by Kimberly McEachen. Clearly explains with 40 slides many strategies for getting a perfect 9 on your DBQ. Includes some nice examples from actual essays.
Question 1 — Document-based Question (continued) Document Analysis (Content): Utilizes the content of at least six of the documents to support the stated thesis or a relevant argument. (1 point) See document summaries for details. Doc. 1: The Chronicle of Zuo, ca. 350 B.C.E.
Grouping Documents Together in Your Analysis. Historians analyze material by pulling together similar pieces of evidence, and, in writing your DBQ, so should you. The documents naturally come together into groups for analysis. Within each of your body paragraphs, group the documents.
AP World History DBQ. Below, you will find our practice AP World History DBQ which is part of our full-length AP World History practice exam. This DBQ reflects the type of content you may see on your exam and will help prepare you to evaluate primary sources and respond effectively to the prompts. Once you have written your own response, you ...
We've updated the AP World History: Modern document-based question (DBQ) and long essay question (LEQ) rubrics for the 2023-24 school year. This change only affects the DBQ and LEQ scoring, with no change to the course or the exam: the exam format, course framework, and skills assessed on the exam all remain unchanged.
DBQ Submission 1. World history in the period 1500-1800 depicts a turbulent era of change. At this point in history the Americas have been newly discovered and experience much change as Europeans bring their culture, language, and religion over to the Americas. Christianity, being a prominent religion in Europe, becomes one of the most ...
The AP World History exam is a three-hour and 15-minute test that consists of 55 multiple-choice questions, three short answers, one DBQ, and one essay. Questions address six major historical themes and nine units, with periods stretching back to the year 1200 CE.
Flag every directive word or key phrase in the question prompt. 3. Plan out your response BEFORE you start writing. 4. Double check you've made explicit references to connections in your writing. 5. Practice, practice, and then practice some more. 37 AP® World History and Politics FRQ Tips to Scoring a 4 or 5.
During Step 1: Analyze the Prompt. Each long essay question begins with a general statement that provides context about the tested time period, and then the second sentence identifies your task, which will always entail developing an evaluative argument. Make sure to read all three prompts carefully. Think of the evidence you could use and the ...
AP World History - DBQ Essay. 5 Paragraphs. Click the card to flip 👆. 1- Thesis. 2, 3 & 4 - Groupings 1, 2, 3 to support thesis. 3- Conclusion.
The following are brief summaries of comparison per AP World History's time periods. As you read, consider the context of each situation and practice coming up with additional ways to compare these topics. 🎥Watch: WHAP - Introduction to Historical Reasoning. Unit 1 Comparisons
DBQ Strategy 1: Analyze the Prompt. Most prompts will test one of the following historical reasoning skills: causation, continuity and change over time, or comparison. Look for keywords in the prompt that indicate which skill is being tested (for instance, "changes" often indicates continuity and change over time, while phrases such as ...
Use the remaining five minutes to read and prep for the long essay question. First, read the AP World History DBQ prompt. Underline the words that are most relevant to your task. Second, read the documents. Most of the first 10 minutes of the suggested reading period will be used to review the documents and organize them into groups for ...