Document Based Question Keywords

Leaving Cert History Document Based Question Keywords (DBQ)

Source

Anything that can provide evidence about the past (e.g., diary, newspaper, photo, cartoon).

Primary Source

Source created at the same time as the events it describes; a first-hand account by a participant or witness.

Secondary Source

Second-hand information created after the events described; may be based on a range of primary sources (e.g., history book, biography).

Evidence

Information gained from a reliable source.

Fact

Information based on evidence that is generally believed to be true; consensus that an event occurred; can be readily proven.

Opinion

Personal thoughts and judgments that may or may not be true.

Bias

One-sided information that can be selective, favoring one side; sympathetic or hostile viewpoint.

Objective

Fair, open-minded, and impartial; takes account of all viewpoints; neutral and balanced; based on facts without favoritism.

Subjective

An account based on preconceived ideas and opinions; not open-minded; personal viewpoint.

Propaganda

Organized spreading of information that may or may not be true; deliberately misleading information to promote an ideological or political view.

Selective

Presenting or selecting certain pieces of information that suit a particular agenda; other information is omitted.

Provenance

Origins and history of a source; tracing its origins and assessing its authenticity/reliability.

Contemporary

Evidence that comes from the period of time to which it relates; modern to the time.

Balance

Giving both viewpoints equal consideration or evidence.

Compare

Identifying what is similar or the same.

Contrast

Identifying what is different.