"How To" Guide for answering DBQ Essays
This is a step by step process on how to answer a
Document Based Question (DBQ)
1. Read the DBQ essay question.
a. What are the action verbs? Highlight them.
b. How many parts are there to the question? Write that number in the margin next to the question.
2. Look at the subsequent documents.
a. Take one document at a time and do the following:
i. Read the questions that correspond with the document.
b. Look at question # 1. Highlight the key words in the question with a specific colored highlighter.
c. Go to question # 2. Highlight the key words in the question with a different colored highlighter than question one.
3. If there are more than two questions, continue process using different colored highlighters.
a. Read the passage. With a pencil, make a mark ( or √) in the margin of anything that related to the questions you have read/highlighted.
b. Re-read the first question. Go into passage and highlight, using the question #1 highlighter, the information relating to that question.
c. Re-read the second question. Go into passage and highlight, using the question #2 highlighter, the information relating to that question.
d. Continue until you have re-read and highlighted information relating to all questions for the document.
e. Using the highlighted information, answer the questions IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
i.. Continue the process with each assigned document.
4. Re-read the DBQ essay question.
a. Remind yourself what the question is asking.
b. Your response MUST answer the question
4. Create a graphic organizer to map out your essay.
a. **See essay expectations sheet for details**
5. Write a rough draft.
a. By hand or on the computer—either method is acceptable
6. Final draft.
a. Size 12, legible font
b. Double spaced
c. Heading includes: name, due date, DBQ essay, Block
d. Topic Title (ex. The Crusades, The Bubonic Plague, The Renaissance)
e. Do not forget to cite information taken from documents from which you are explaining (Doc 1, Doc 2 etc)
Document Based Question (DBQ)
1. Read the DBQ essay question.
a. What are the action verbs? Highlight them.
b. How many parts are there to the question? Write that number in the margin next to the question.
2. Look at the subsequent documents.
a. Take one document at a time and do the following:
i. Read the questions that correspond with the document.
b. Look at question # 1. Highlight the key words in the question with a specific colored highlighter.
c. Go to question # 2. Highlight the key words in the question with a different colored highlighter than question one.
3. If there are more than two questions, continue process using different colored highlighters.
a. Read the passage. With a pencil, make a mark ( or √) in the margin of anything that related to the questions you have read/highlighted.
b. Re-read the first question. Go into passage and highlight, using the question #1 highlighter, the information relating to that question.
c. Re-read the second question. Go into passage and highlight, using the question #2 highlighter, the information relating to that question.
d. Continue until you have re-read and highlighted information relating to all questions for the document.
e. Using the highlighted information, answer the questions IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
i.. Continue the process with each assigned document.
4. Re-read the DBQ essay question.
a. Remind yourself what the question is asking.
b. Your response MUST answer the question
4. Create a graphic organizer to map out your essay.
a. **See essay expectations sheet for details**
5. Write a rough draft.
a. By hand or on the computer—either method is acceptable
6. Final draft.
a. Size 12, legible font
b. Double spaced
c. Heading includes: name, due date, DBQ essay, Block
d. Topic Title (ex. The Crusades, The Bubonic Plague, The Renaissance)
e. Do not forget to cite information taken from documents from which you are explaining (Doc 1, Doc 2 etc)
Tips for Oral Presentations
An oral presentation can be a boring or enjoyable experience for the presenter and the audience. If the experience is boring, the audience misses the message, and the speaker is not asked back. If the presentation is exciting, engaging and interactive, the audience is more likely to learn the key points and even more. Some basic oral-presentation strategies will ensure that the speaker presents an enjoyable message and that the audience is engaged.
1. Before the Presentation
* Public speaking can be an anxiety-producing situation, but this anxiety can be reduced in a number of ways. The best advice is to practice, practice, practice. While rehearsing the presentation, check your breathing patterns. Take a deep breath, and speak at your normal pace.
* Create notes with bullet points to ensure all the key topics are covered, and have extra notes with more detailed information for audience questions.
* Check the order of the presentation to ensure that one key point flows logically to the next. Practice with any visual aids to minimize potential technical difficulties and to learn how to effortlessly integrate them. Know your subject thoroughly.
* Practice in front of people who know nothing about the topic, then ask them to critique the presentation.
2. Presentation Opening and Body
* Begin the presentation with a story or another attention grabber.
* State the value that the audience will gain from the presentation.
* Engage the audience by asking members what they expect to learn. List their responses on a flip chart, then briefly explain the three to five points that they will learn from the presentation.
* For the body of the presentation, use the PREP (point, reason, example and point) technique. State the position or point of view, provide a reason for the position (this is a good place to provide background/historical information), give an example of why the position is important and then restate the position or point of view.
* Use humor during the presentation. Even if a mistake is made, make a joke of it and move on. The audience will appreciate that you made light of the situation and that you are not taking yourself too seriously.
3. Closing
* At the closing of the presentation, restate the three to five key points for the audience.
* Allow the audience to ask any clarifying questions. If you are unsure of the answer to a question.
1. Before the Presentation
* Public speaking can be an anxiety-producing situation, but this anxiety can be reduced in a number of ways. The best advice is to practice, practice, practice. While rehearsing the presentation, check your breathing patterns. Take a deep breath, and speak at your normal pace.
* Create notes with bullet points to ensure all the key topics are covered, and have extra notes with more detailed information for audience questions.
* Check the order of the presentation to ensure that one key point flows logically to the next. Practice with any visual aids to minimize potential technical difficulties and to learn how to effortlessly integrate them. Know your subject thoroughly.
* Practice in front of people who know nothing about the topic, then ask them to critique the presentation.
2. Presentation Opening and Body
* Begin the presentation with a story or another attention grabber.
* State the value that the audience will gain from the presentation.
* Engage the audience by asking members what they expect to learn. List their responses on a flip chart, then briefly explain the three to five points that they will learn from the presentation.
* For the body of the presentation, use the PREP (point, reason, example and point) technique. State the position or point of view, provide a reason for the position (this is a good place to provide background/historical information), give an example of why the position is important and then restate the position or point of view.
* Use humor during the presentation. Even if a mistake is made, make a joke of it and move on. The audience will appreciate that you made light of the situation and that you are not taking yourself too seriously.
3. Closing
* At the closing of the presentation, restate the three to five key points for the audience.
* Allow the audience to ask any clarifying questions. If you are unsure of the answer to a question.
Read, Highlight, Answer Questions
I. Read the questions that correspond with the document.
a) Look at question # 1. Highlight the key words in the question with a specific colored highlighter.
b) Go to question # 2. Highlight the key words in the question with a different colored highlighter than question one.
c) If there are more than two questions, continue process using different colored highlighters.
II. Read the passage. With a pencil, make a mark ( √) in the margin of anything that related to the questions you have read/highlighted.
III. Re-read the first question. Go into passage and highlight, using the question #1 highlighter, the information relating to that question.
IV. Re-read the second question. Go into passage and highlight, using the question #2 highlighter, the information relating to that question.
V. Continue until you have re-read and highlighted information relating to all questions for the document.
VI. Using the highlighted information, answer the questions IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
a) Look at question # 1. Highlight the key words in the question with a specific colored highlighter.
b) Go to question # 2. Highlight the key words in the question with a different colored highlighter than question one.
c) If there are more than two questions, continue process using different colored highlighters.
II. Read the passage. With a pencil, make a mark ( √) in the margin of anything that related to the questions you have read/highlighted.
III. Re-read the first question. Go into passage and highlight, using the question #1 highlighter, the information relating to that question.
IV. Re-read the second question. Go into passage and highlight, using the question #2 highlighter, the information relating to that question.
V. Continue until you have re-read and highlighted information relating to all questions for the document.
VI. Using the highlighted information, answer the questions IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
Make a Flip Book
VOCABULARY BOOK
Directions...click HERE
This Foldable is perfect for a variety of needs. You can use it to take notes and record information. You can use it for vocabulary. You can use it for questions and answers. The trick is to USE IT.
You need to find a study strategy that works BEST for you.
Directions...click HERE
This Foldable is perfect for a variety of needs. You can use it to take notes and record information. You can use it for vocabulary. You can use it for questions and answers. The trick is to USE IT.
You need to find a study strategy that works BEST for you.
Notetaking Strategies
Remember:
1. Read passage.
a. if it is long, break the reading into smaller parts.
2. Highlight what IS important, not what you THINK is important.
3. Take notes from highlighted material
a. 2-column notes
i. topic or main idea on the LEFT
ii. details to support the main idea on the RIGHT
b. What you have highlighted in step #2- this becomes your notes
c. Do not make it more complicated than it is.
i. Remember that more complicated readings lead to more involved notes.
4. Stay for extra help if you DON'T GET IT!
1. Read passage.
a. if it is long, break the reading into smaller parts.
2. Highlight what IS important, not what you THINK is important.
3. Take notes from highlighted material
a. 2-column notes
i. topic or main idea on the LEFT
ii. details to support the main idea on the RIGHT
b. What you have highlighted in step #2- this becomes your notes
c. Do not make it more complicated than it is.
i. Remember that more complicated readings lead to more involved notes.
4. Stay for extra help if you DON'T GET IT!
How effective are your current study methods?
Checking My Study Skills
Click on the link and take a short quiz that evaluates your study habits. At the end you will recieve a score. This will help provide you with information about your current study habits.
Click on the link and take a short quiz that evaluates your study habits. At the end you will recieve a score. This will help provide you with information about your current study habits.