How To Get A Perfect DBQ Score - AP World History: Modern
Claim
Must be related to the prompt and historically defensible
Must provide a line of reasoning (donāt just restate the prompt; use verbs like ābyā or ābecauseā to introduce these points)
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 donāt recommend going too far back or forwards; stay in a range of ~3 units so you donāt 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 youāve 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!!! Instead, describe what the document is conveying
Use one piece of outside evidence not in any of the documents but still supports your argument
This should be a specific historical development or event (vocabulary you have learned is extremely helpful for this section!)
For instance (this is completely made-up!), you are writing a DBQ where you have to evaluate the extent to which European and Japanese imperialism affected Chinese society, culture, and governance from the late 19th to mid 20th century
Here are the documents the College Board provides you with:
1. An interview with a Boxer recalling the events of the Boxer Rebellion
2. A diary entry about the opium trade in China
3. A historianās account of Portuguese governance over Macao
4. A letter by a Qing Dynasty official to the emperor discussing the trade imbalance between the Chinese and Japanese
5. A graph showing imports versus exports of Chinese and Russian goods
6. An excerpt of the Treaty of Tianjin
7. A photograph of Western-style buildings in Canton
An example of outside evidence you can include is the Treaty of Nanjing, explaining how it removed tariffs on British imports to China and ceded Hong Kong to Britain, bolstering Britainās economic strength in East Asia while hurting Chinese businesses and trade
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 Iām a fan of is exploring limitations; sources many contains biases or misinformation, so you should make the reader aware of this
Can be part of the HAPPY analysis
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)
Consider making connections between historical situations in different time periods (different than contextualization; which provides background information for understanding your thesis and overall argument)
For example, you have a DBQ about labor systems used by colonial powers in the Americas during the Age of Exploration. You can write an additional paragraph about the use of Indian indentured servitude in Guyana & Trinidad and Tobago, which occurred AFTER the Age of Exploration (during New Imperialism, specifically)
Also, you can write about continuities and changes
How did this trend maintain relevance and importance over time? What changed? Why/how?