AP World History DBQ Practice Flashcards

A collection of vocabulary terms and rubric requirements for writing the AP World History Document-Based Question (DBQ) essay.

DBQ

Stands for "Document-Based-Question"; an essay format where students answer a prompt using seven provided documents.

LEQ

Stands for "long-essay-question"; the second large essay on the AP exam alongside the DBQ.

DBQ Time Allotment

60 minutes total, which includes a 15 minute pre-writing period.

DBQ Exam Weight

Accounts for 25% of the total AP exam score.

Historical Time Frame

The document-based question focuses on topics ranging from 1450–2001.

Thesis Point

Awarded for a claim that responds to the prompt rather than restating it, located in either the introduction or conclusion.

Contextualization

Relating the prompt topic to broader historical events, developments, or processes occurring before, during, or after the time frame of the question.

Evidence from the Documents (1 point)

Accurately describing the content from at least three of the seven documents to address the topic of the prompt.

Evidence from the Documents (2 points)

Using the content of at least four documents to support an argument in response to the prompt.

Evidence Beyond the Documents

Using at least one additional piece of specific historical evidence relevant to an argument that is not found in the provided documents.

HIPP

Acronym for the four sourcing elements: Historical situation, Intended audience, POV (point of view), and Purpose.

Sourcing (Analysis and Reasoning)

Explaining how or why a document's point of view, purpose, historical situation, and/or audience is relevant to an argument for at least two documents.

Complexity Point

Awarded for demonstrating a complex understanding of historical development through sophisticated argumentation or effective use of evidence, such as using all seven documents.

Historical Situation

Identifying the specific circumstances of time and place or broader historical processes implied in a document and explaining their impact.

Intended Audience

Identifying who a document was created for and explaining how that group influenced what was included or omitted.

Point of View (POV)

Identifying the author's position and explaining how that position influenced the content of the document.

Purpose

Identifying the reason a document was created and explaining how that goal influenced the information the author included.