Sample DBQ

Enlightenment and the French Revolution Document Based Question

Directions: The following question is based on the attached documents, which provide information on the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. Before you begin writing, be sure to follow the steps below: (1) Carefully read the document-based question. Consider what you already know about this topic, based on our lecture notes, discussions, and in-class readings. How would you answer the question if you had no documents to examine? (2) Read each document carefully, underlining key phrases and words that address the documentbased question. It may be helpful to annotate each document, to minimize the need for rereading the document when you begin to write your response. (3) Based on your own knowledge and on the information in the documents, formulate a thesis (or assertion statement) that directly answers the question. A good rule is to use about 5 of the 8 documents in your response. (4) Organize supportive and relevant information into a brief outline, using the attached outline template. This step is optional, but strongly recommended. (5) Write a well-organized essay proving your thesis. You should present your essay logically, with an introduction, several body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Include information both from the documents and from your own knowledge beyond the documents.

Question: Without Enlightenment ideas would there have been a French Revolution?

Sample DBQ
Humanities Studies at Bulkeley High School
Element Introduction
The introduction includes a thesis

DBQ RUBRIC
Standard Score (0, 1, 2)

The thesis clearly answers the prompt The thesis includes the major grouping categories that will become the topics of your body paragraphs

Begins with a topic sentence that highlights your grouping/category Supports the topic sentence with appropriate evidence from more than one document Demonstrates an understanding of the documents used through sound summary, analysis, and justification of evidence selected Effectively introduces evidence and analysis through the use of transitions (i.e., author, title, or other important contextual information) Ends with a closing sentence that highlights your grouping/category

Body Paragraph 1

Begins with a topic sentence that highlights your grouping/category Supports the topic sentence with appropriate evidence from more than one document Demonstrates an understanding of the documents used through sound summary, analysis, and justification of evidence selected Effectively introduces evidence and analysis through the use of transitions (i.e., author, title, or other important contextual information) Ends with a closing sentence that highlights your grouping/category Begins with a topic sentence that highlights your grouping/category Supports the topic sentence with appropriate evidence from more than one document Demonstrates an understanding of the documents used through sound summary, analysis, and justification of evidence selected Effectively introduces evidence and analysis through the use of transitions (i.e., author, title, or other important contextual information) Ends with a closing sentence that highlights your grouping/category Demonstrates a solid grasp of standard writing conventions (e.g., spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar, usage) The conclusion includes a clear and thoughtful restatement of the thesis

Body Paragraph 2

Body Paragraph 3

Mechanics

Conclusion

The conclusion creatively summarizes the main themes/ideas of the DBQ

TOTAL

_____/40

Scoring Guide 0 = No or unsatisfactory evidence of meeting standard 1 = Attempt at meeting standard 2 = Mastery of standard