DBQ Introduction & DRL Workshop
Aim: How do I maximize the most amount of points for my Introduction on a DBQ Essay?
Do Now: Define the word "Paraphrase"
Lesson Overview:
| Item | Approx Time |
| Do Now | 3-5 Min |
| Mini Lesson | 15-20 Min |
| Activity | 15 Min |
| Discussion | 5-7 Min |
To successfully write a DBQ essay response, one must focus on the task. Each of the task items must be addressed in the written essay response in order to receive full credit. This essay is completely from your use of the documents provided and your memory of the topic chosen for the essay by New York State Board of Regents.
You may also use our Essay Writing Guide for reference.
A generic scoring rubric is provided which explains how the DBQ essay response will be graded. The maximum possible score is a five; the lowest possible score is a zero.
To earn the maximum score possible, consider the following steps for writing a DBQ essay response:
Pre-Writing
Before actually writing the DBQ essay response, one should analyze the task and organize the information that they wish to include in the essay response. It is also important to read the scoring rubric to ensure that the essay response meets all of the requirements necessary to earn the maximum score of five. Use the link below to download and print the generic scoring rubric.
DBQ Essay Generic Scoring Rubric
- Carefully read the theme and the task. Look for clues that will help identify the information required to thoroughly address both the theme and the task. Underline those sections of the theme and task that you consider most important.
- Draw a table or box that can be used to organize information and help in writing the essay response. Clearly label the one column heading “Tasks” and the following column heading(s) with the example(s) you wish to discuss. Suggestions topics for these examples can be found in the text after the task. Lastly, reserve the row headings for the individual task items. You may also use a Web Map Chart to organize your thoughts.
Introduction
The introduction to the essay response should communicate what it is that the essay will show or prove. The DBQ essay generic scoring rubric states that to earn a five, the essay, “Introduces the theme or problem by establishing a framework that is beyond a simple restatement of the Task and concludes with a summation of the theme or problem.”
Most points are lost on the introduction. For this reason, we have developed a formula for completing an introduction that would give you the highest amount of points.
DRL Formula
Define, ReWrite, List
Define
Define the main idea or topic.
Example:
Historical Context: Culture and Intellectual Life
Culture is the traditions and practices of a society or civilization, and within that culture, intellectuals often have made a lasting change either for the positive or negative.
ReWrite
ReWrite the historical context or theme given in your own words. You may use the WRS (Word Replacement Strategy)below to ReWrite your theme.
WRS (Word Replacement Strategy}
How to re-write an introduction from the theme or historical context
- Read the theme or historical context
- Circle the important words.
- Think of replacements for the most of the important words and phrases. (Multiple replacements may be necessary)
- Paraphrase (put into your own words) the theme or historical context using the replacement words.
List
List the topics and/or items you will discuss in your body paragraphs.
Example:
Two of the most important intellectuals that have affected society have been Michiavelli and Marx. Both have negatively and positively changed society.
Introduction Example
All over the world, thinkers, dreamers, and the people in power use words such as books to move and shape their culture within their state in order to affect the advancement of their society. Two of the most important intellectuals that have affected society have been Machiavelli and Hitler. Both have negatively and positively changed society, and have lasting impact today.
Classwork & Homework
Homework: Assignments