How To Get A Perfect DBQ Score - AP World History: Modern

Claim

• Must be related to the prompt and historically defensible

• Must be in the introduction (I recommend putting it here so it is easier for the exam scorer to find it) or conclusion

Contextualization

• Must discuss broader historical developments and themes before, during, or after the given time period (I don’t recommend going too far back or forwards; stay in a range of ~3 units so you don’t lose the point for contextualization)

• Must be in the same category as prompt, e.g., social, political, economic, etc. or explain a cause/effect relevant to the prompt

• I recommend writing a separate contextualization paragraph at the beginning of the response right before stating your claim

• Throw in some of that vocabulary that you’ve learned from my Knowt flashcard sets! It shows higher level thinking and a complex historical understanding to the College Board!

Evidence

• Must be from at least 4 documents (I recommend using all the documents so you earn the complexity point for Analysis & Reasoning, too)

• DO NOT PULL DIRECT QUOTES!!! Inside, describe what the document is conveying

• Use one piece of outside evidence not in any of the documents but still supports your argument

Analysis & Reasoning

• HAPPY analysis (Historical situation, Audience, Purpose, Point of view, whY?); do this for at least 2 documents (I would do more just in case)

• As stated before, using all the documents provided as evidence is the easiest way to earn the complexity point in this section of the rubric; however, you must effectively analyze them or else you will not earn this point

• An alternative way to earn the complexity point that I’m a fan of is exploring limitations; sources many contains biases or misinformation, so you should make the reader aware of this

• I also like exploring multiple perspectives/nuances to the argument in order to ensure a more comprehensive understanding of the historical context and to strengthen the overall argument presented in my response (think: counterargument and/or rebuttal)