Watch Me PLAN a DBQ for AP World History (and Earn a Perfect Score?)

Heimler's History
19 Apr 202113:14
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script outlines a step-by-step guide on how to approach the Document-Based Question (DBQ) section of the AP World History exam. It emphasizes understanding the prompt, analyzing historical documents for themes, and organizing arguments effectively. The guide suggests categorizing documents, formulating a thesis, and providing historical context to support the argument. The process aims to help students construct a compelling DBQ essay that demonstrates their understanding of causation and empire building in Afro-Eurasia between 1860 and 1918, with railroads as a significant factor.

Takeaways
  • 📝 Familiarize yourself with the DBQ rubric to understand scoring requirements.
  • 🎯 Start by understanding the prompt and its historical thinking skill, which is causation in this case.
  • 🗂️ Break down the prompt into key components: historical process, impact of railroads, region (Afro-Eurasia), and time period (1860-1918).
  • 📖 Read documents carefully, summarizing their content and identifying their relevance to the prompt.
  • 🔍 Look for patterns and themes among the documents, such as consolidating power or ridding foreign influence.
  • ✍️ Create topic sentences that encapsulate the grouped documents' themes and how they support your argument.
  • 📈 Develop a thesis statement that incorporates a counterargument, specific historical evidence, and your main argument.
  • 🔗 Connect the industrial revolution and other contextual evidence to your argument to show the broader impact of railroads on empire building.
  • 📊 Use sourcing strategically to provide historical context and reinforce your argument.
  • 📝 Write an essay that follows a clear structure: introduction, body paragraphs with evidence, and conclusion.
  • 💡 Remember that practice is key; the more you practice, the more efficient and effective your DBQ writing will become.
Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the video?

    -The main focus of the video is to provide a step-by-step guide on how to write a Document-Based Question (DBQ) essay for the AP World History exam, specifically on the topic of how railroads affected the process of empire building in Afro-Eurasia between 1860 and 1918.

  • What is the first step the presenter suggests for writing a DBQ essay?

    -The first step the presenter suggests is to familiarize oneself with the rubric for the DBQ and to understand the scoring requirements of the essay.

  • What historical thinking skill is emphasized in the prompt?

    -The historical thinking skill emphasized in the prompt is causation, focusing on how railroads affected the process of empire building.

  • How does the presenter suggest organizing the documents for the DBQ?

    -The presenter suggests organizing the documents by grouping them based on themes, such as getting rid of foreign influence and consolidating power in foreign lands, and then developing topic sentences for each group.

  • What is the presenter's approach to using outside evidence in the DBQ?

    -The presenter's approach to using outside evidence is to think about it while reading through the documents, jotting down any ideas that come to mind, and then connecting it back to the argument in the thesis.

  • How does the presenter propose to write the thesis for the DBQ?

    -The presenter proposes to write the thesis by using a formula: Although X because A and B, therefore Y, where X is the counterargument, A and B are specific historical evidence named, and Y is the argument being made.

  • What is the significance of the Industrial Revolution in the context of the essay?

    -The significance of the Industrial Revolution in the context of the essay is that it shifted the balance of power from Asia to the West, which is relevant to the argument about the impact of railroads on empire building.

  • How many documents are mentioned in the video script?

    -There are seven documents mentioned in the video script.

  • What does the presenter suggest as a good practice for preparing for the DBQ section of the exam?

    -The presenter suggests practicing a lot and getting the principles down to make it second nature by the time one sits for the exam.

  • What is the presenter's advice for students who find their approach to the DBQ different from the one presented in the video?

    -The presenter advises students that if the presented approach does not make sense to them, they should follow their own method, but still practice to understand the principles and be well-prepared for the exam.

  • What is the presenter's final recommendation for students to achieve a good score on the DBQ?

    -The presenter's final recommendation is to follow the procedure outlined in the video, ensuring that all pieces are in place and that the essay is well-structured and argumentative to earn a great score on the DBQ.

Outlines
00:00
📝 Preparing for the AP World History DBQ

The speaker introduces the video's purpose, which is to guide viewers through the process of writing a Document-Based Question (DBQ) for the AP World History exam. They emphasize the importance of understanding the rubric and planning before writing the essay. The speaker shares their personal approach to planning a DBQ, using a planning guide and DBQ worksheet, and encourages viewers to practice extensively to internalize the principles. The prompt for the DBQ is presented, which asks to evaluate the impact of railroads on empire building in Afro-Eurasia between 1860 and 1918, with a focus on historical thinking skills related to causation.

05:00
🔍 Analyzing the DBQ Prompt and Documents

The speaker begins by dissecting the DBQ prompt, identifying the key historical thinking skill required (causation) and the specific aspects being asked about (the process of empire building in Afro-Eurasia and the role of railroads). They then proceed to analyze each document, summarizing their content and relevance to the prompt. The speaker categorizes the documents into themes, such as the consolidation of power in foreign lands and ridding of foreign influence. They also discuss the importance of sourcing and provide examples of how to connect documents to broader historical contexts and outside evidence.

10:00
📈 Grouping Documents and Forming an Argument

In this section, the speaker explains the process of grouping documents to develop an argument for the DBQ. They identify common themes among the documents and create topic sentences that reflect these themes. The speaker then moves on to crafting a thesis statement that incorporates a counterargument and specific historical evidence. They emphasize the importance of a clear and well-structured thesis to set up a complex essay. The speaker also discusses the contextualization of the argument, connecting the building of railroads and empires to the broader historical context of the Industrial Revolution and its impact on the balance of power between Asia and the West.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡DBQ
DBQ stands for Document-Based Question, which is a type of essay commonly associated with the AP World History exam. It requires students to analyze and interpret historical documents to construct an argument. In the video, the process of writing a DBQ is thoroughly explained, from understanding the prompt to organizing and presenting an argument based on provided documents.
💡Empire Building
Empire building refers to the process of expanding a nation's or empire's territory, influence, and control over other regions or peoples, often through colonization or the establishment of protectorates. In the context of the video, the main theme revolves around evaluating how railroads impacted the empire-building process in Afro-Eurasia during the specified time period.
💡Causation
Causation is a historical thinking skill that involves determining the cause-and-effect relationship between events or phenomena. In the video, causation is used to analyze how railroads affected the process of empire building, focusing on the impact and consequences of railroad construction on colonial expansion and control.
💡Rubric
A rubric is a set of criteria or guidelines used to assess the quality of work, such as an essay or a project. In the context of the AP exam, the rubric outlines the scoring requirements for the DBQ, helping students understand what is expected of them in terms of content, argumentation, and writing skills. The video assumes that viewers are familiar with the DBQ rubric and focuses on guiding them through the writing process.
💡Historical Thinking Skills
Historical thinking skills are the critical abilities required to understand, analyze, and interpret historical information and sources. These skills include identifying cause-and-effect relationships (causation), recognizing different perspectives (point of view), and understanding the context in which historical events occurred. In the video, these skills are essential for analyzing the documents and constructing a well-argued DBQ essay.
💡Railroads
Railroads are a form of transportation involving a track with trains that run on it. In the historical context of the video, railroads played a significant role in the expansion and consolidation of empires by facilitating the movement of people, goods, and military forces. They are central to the DBQ prompt, as students are asked to evaluate their impact on the process of empire building.
💡Afro-Eurasia
Afro-Eurasia is a term that combines the regions of Africa, Europe, and Asia, highlighting the interconnectedness of these continents in historical contexts, particularly during the period of empire building and colonization. The video's focus is on evaluating the impact of railroads on this large geographical area between 1860 and 1918.
💡Consolidation of Power
Consolidation of power refers to the process by which a government, empire, or authority strengthens its control and influence over a territory or population. In the video, this concept is used to analyze how railroads helped colonial powers solidify their rule over foreign lands and eliminate external influences.
💡Historical Context
Historical context refers to the background information and circumstances that surround an event or a period in history. It helps to understand why things happened the way they did and provides a framework for interpreting historical sources. In the video, the presenter uses historical context to connect the impact of railroads to broader trends and developments, such as the Industrial Revolution and the civilizing mission.
💡Point of View
Point of view refers to the perspective from which a piece of writing or a historical document is presented. It is an important aspect of historical analysis as it can influence the interpretation of events and the presentation of information. In the video, the presenter considers the point of view of different historical actors, such as the British colonial government or the Ottoman Empire, to understand their motivations and actions.
💡Argumentation
Argumentation is the process of constructing and presenting a coherent series of reasons or evidence in support of a proposition or argument. In the context of the video, argumentation is crucial for writing a DBQ essay, as it involves organizing evidence from historical documents to support a thesis and persuade the reader of the writer's interpretation.
Highlights

The video provides a comprehensive guide on how to write a DBQ (Document-Based Question) from start to finish for AP World History.

The presenter emphasizes the importance of understanding the rubric for the DBQ and assumes viewers are familiar with the scoring requirements.

The process involves a detailed analysis of the prompt, identifying the historical thinking skill required, and the specific aspects the question is asking about.

The presenter uses a planning guide to demonstrate the process, which is available for viewers to download and use along with the DBQ.

The video highlights the importance of not rushing the planning process, as a good plan is crucial for a well-structured essay.

The prompt example given is about evaluating the impact of railroads on empire building in Afro-Eurasia between 1860 and 1918.

The presenter explains the historical thinking skill of causation and how it applies to the prompt, focusing on how railroads affected empire building.

The process includes a thorough examination of provided documents, extracting key information and summarizing their content.

The presenter categorizes the documents based on themes, such as consolidating power in foreign lands or ridding of foreign influence.

The video demonstrates how to create topic sentences for each group of documents, which will help organize body paragraphs and arguments.

The presenter constructs a thesis statement using a formula that includes a counterargument, specific historical evidence, and the overall argument.

Contextualization is discussed as a crucial part of the essay, connecting the historical context to the argument made in the thesis.

The presenter emphasizes the need to connect evidence beyond the documents provided back to the main argument.

The video concludes with a reminder to practice the principles of DBQ writing to make it second nature for the actual exam.

Additional resources for essay help are offered, such as an APSA cram course for those who need more assistance.

The presenter encourages viewers to subscribe for more videos on essay writing and exam preparation.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

Watch Me PLAN a DBQ for APUSH

APUSH DBQ Follow Along [IN 30 MINUTES]

3 Steps to a Perfect DBQ Score (AP World, APUSH, AP Euro)

How to Write a DBQ for APUSH, AP World, & AP Euro

4 | FRQ (DBQ) | Practice Sessions | AP World History

2021 Live Review 7 | AP World History | Humans, the Environment, Technology, & Innovation

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating:

Related Tags
AP Exam PrepDBQ StrategyRailroads & EmpiresHistory AnalysisEssay WritingStudy SkillsAfro-Eurasian HistoryImperialismIndustrial RevolutionEducational Content