Q&A for How to Write a DBQ Essay

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

How do you write a DBQ thesis?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

To write the thesis, summarize your answer to the task question in 1-2 sentences. Your thesis should be the last sentence of your introduction.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 3
Question

How do you write a DBQ outline?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Start with your thesis, or main idea, then list your main points in support of your thesis. Write bullet points under each pain point with evidence and/or an argument to back up each point. End the outline with a list of any conclusions you’d like to make and a restatement of your thesis.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 4
Question

Do you use quotes in a DBQ essay?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

You can use quotes, but it’s best to use them sparingly. Stick to using your own words to summarize your arguments and evidence as much as possible.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 2
Question

How long does the answer need to be?

Community Answer

While there is no set length, your response needs to be long enough to cover all of the required sections while maintaining a cohesive argument. This is usually several pages long, but can vary based on the nature of the argument, class the DBQ is for, and how much the individual can write in the time limit.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 7 Helpful 38
Question

How do I, or others, write the new synthesis portion at the end of the test?

Community Answer

The point of synthesis is to extend the argument to another time period. Look for similar events in history to relate your topic to, or similar conditions leading up to the event. For example, the sport of cricket in India (spread there by British imperialism) can be synthesized to the sport of baseball in Puerto Rico (spread there by the USA).

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 25
Question

Can you start a DBQ with a question?

Community Answer

Of course you can start it with a question, though you should be answering the prompt given, and not asking more questions.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 19 Helpful 46
Question

How long is the contextualization of a DBQ supposed to be?

Community Answer

The contextualization in any given essay should have a maximum of 3 sentences.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 14
Question

How do I start the outside information sentence?

Community Answer

Just start by using information you already know and give a little bit of insight.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 26 Helpful 11
Question

Is a DBQ essay an LEQ with documents?

Community Answer

They're similar, however DBQ's must consist of evidence from the documents given, while LEQ's have no given evidence. DBQ's can sometimes take longer because it takes time to read and analyze the documents, while LEQ's just give a prompt.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1