DBQ

Thesis Statement: The thesis statement is arguably one of the most important parts of the DBQ (or any essay for that matter). Its what sets up the rest of the essay. If you have a clear thesis statement, the rest of the essay will be well organized and easier to write. Be sure to address all parts of the prompt Be clear and specific Include 2-3 themes which will act as topics for each of your body paragraphs.

o Example prompt: For the period of 1876-1908, analyze how the Ottoman government viewed ethnic and religious groups within its empire. UNACCEPTABLE THESIS: There were many ways the Ottoman empire viewed ethnic and religious groups. ACCEPTABLE THESIS: Government officials in the Ottoman Empire were able to send out the message that all people in the empire were equal regardless of religion or ethnicity, yet an underlying reality was that the Turks and their version of Islam were superior. For this essay there would be two body paragraphs: (1) on how the Ottoman Empire were equal to all regardless of religion and/or ethnicity. (2) how the Turks and their version of Islam was superior. Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph must have a TOPIC SENTENCE. The topic sentence should be pulled from the thesis statement. Thesis Statement: Government officials in the Ottoman Empire were able to send out the message that all people in the empire were equal regardless of religion or ethnicity, yet an underlying reality was that the Turks and their version of Islam were superior. Topic Sentence of body paragraph 1: One of the major aspects of the Ottoman Empires government was giving equality to all of its people living within the borders. Topic Sentence of body paragraph 2: Although it appeared the Ottomans were equal to all, in actuality the Turks and their version of Islam had certain priviledges compared to others.

****DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES SAY Documents 1,3,5,6 all talk about FOR YOUR TOPIC SENTENCES. Using Documents: Students must include ALL documents. I cannot stress this enough, and this is by far the easiest point to earn. Again, you must reference ALL documents. Refer to each document by (Doc #). Do not refer to the author of the document. You want to make it as easy as possible for the grader. It is okay to say In document 5 ****You must either quote or paraphrase EACH document. Examples: The Ottomans practiced (Doc. 2). In document 2, the Ottomans Understands the Documents: Students should use the Claim, Evidence, Answering for each document! Claim: This should be a statement about the topic sentence of the body paragraph. Suleiman I of the Ottomans made a law giving equal rights to all citizens. Evidence: This is the quote or paraphrase from one of the documents. DO NOT USE MULTIPLE DOCUMENTS FOR THE SAME CLAIM. All citizens are free while Im in power (Doc 5). Reasoning: This is your further explanation showing or proving it supports your TOPIC SENTENCE This shows the Ottomans made an effort to create equality for all people under their rule. Point of View Students must have a minimum of TWO Point of Views within their essay. This can be done within your paragraphs or some like to do it as a separate paragraph. You must state WHY THE AUTHOR WROTE WHAT THEY DID. Why do they have this BIAS or POINT OF VIEW. Give reasoning for your answer. ****STATE POINT OF VIEW OR BIAS IN YOUR ESSAY Example: The point of view of document 2 isThis is because OR The author of document 2 is bias byThis is because

Additional Document Students must include a minimum of ONE additional document. Which must include: Who is the document from? o Peasant, Middle class, merchant, captain of a slave ship, King/Queen, etc. What type of document? o Map, treaty, speech, captains log, diary, political cartoon Why you want/need it? How would it help you? Whose voice is not heard from in the other documents provided? o This would help becauseThis documented would show DBQ OUTLINE Thesis Statement Topic Sentence: (Refers to thesis statement) o Claim o Evidence o Reasoning o o o o Claim Evidence Reasoning (POV)

o Claim o Evidence o Reasoning Topic Sentence: (Refers to thesis statement) o Claim o Evidence o Reasoning o Claim o Evidence o Reasoning o Claim o Evidence o Reasoning Topic Sentence: (Refers to thesis statement) o Claim o Evidence o Reasoning o Claim o Evidence

o Reasoning o (POV) o Claim o Evidence o Reasoning POV POV Additional Document