Name:
Guidelines for Writing a US History DBQ (Document Based Question)
Directions:Using your “Document-Based Question Assignment”, you will write a well-organized essay that uses at least four different documents to answer the question (see below). Your essay must include an introduction with a thesis statement, several body paragraphs and a conclusion. Transitions should be used between paragraphs. Below is an outline of the elements you must include in your essay:
Question: Which side, the United States and its Western allies, or the Soviet Union and its allies in the East, was more responsible for starting the Cold War?
A good answer will:
•Have a clear thesis that addresses the question above.
•Contain body paragraphs that tie the writer’s thoughts back to their thesis.
•Discuss three specific reasons why either the United States and its Western allies, or the Soviet Union and its allies in the East, were more responsible for starting the Cold War.
Introduction: Introduce the topic of the Cold War. What is it? What events led to it? When did it occur? Finish your introduction paragraph with your thesis statement. The thesis statement should clearly state your position on the question of “Which side, the United States and its Western allies, or the Soviet Union and its allies in the East, was more responsible for starting the Cold War?”
(** The thesis is what you will spend the rest of your essay trying to argue (describe). Your job as the writer of the essay is to convince the reader that your position is correct; you must prove that your thesis statement is true based on evidence from the documents. YOUR THESIS STATEMENT (main idea, focus, opinion) MUST BE CLEARLY STATED IN YOUR INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH and should tell readers exactly what your response is to the question and what your paper will be arguing - Have someone read it over … if they can’t easily understand your position … then revise).
What is the Cold War?
What events led to the Cold War?
When did this era occur?
Thesis:______
Each body paragraph should describe one specific reason why either the United States and its Western allies, or the Soviet Union and its allies in the East, were more responsible for starting the Cold War.
Body Paragraph One:Begin with a topic sentence that introduces the topic of body paragraph one. Your topic sentence should relate to your thesis and be focused directly on answering the question. Use at least one document from your assignment as evidence to support your topic sentence. Put documents into your own words AND cite them. Example – “In order to prevent the collapse of the governments of Greece and Turkey, President Truman proposed sending $400 million in aid.” (Doc. 2). If you use a portion of the quote, or even the whole thing, cite it. For example – “Should we fail to aid Greece and Turkey in this fateful hour, the effect will be far-reaching to the West. The seeds of totalitarian regimes are nurtured by misery and want.” (Doc. 5). All the information in this paragraph should relate to your topic sentence, which in turn should directly support your thesis!
Topic Sentence:
Explanation of reason why US or USSR is responsible for Cold War:
Evidence and analysis: (Analysis= explain how the evidence relates to what you are saying)
Explain how this supports your thesis:
Transition Sentence:
Body Paragraph Two:Begin with a topic sentence that introduces the topic of body paragraph two. Your topic sentence should relate to your thesis and be focused directly on answering the question. Use at least one document from your assignment as evidence to support your topic sentence. Put documents into your own words AND cite them. All the information in this paragraph should relate to your topic sentence, which in turn should directly support your thesis! You must have cited at least one document in this paragraph.
Topic Sentence:
Explanation of reason why US or USSR is responsible for Cold War:
Evidence and analysis: (Analysis= explain how the evidence relates to what you are saying)
Explain how this supports your thesis:
Transition Sentence:
Body Paragraph Three:Begin with a topic sentence that introduces the topic of body paragraph three. Your topic sentence should relate to your thesis and be focused directly on answering the question. Use two documents from your assignment as evidence to support your topic sentence. Put documents into your own words AND cite them. All the information in this paragraph should relate to your topic sentence, which in turn should directly support your thesis! You must have cited two documents in this paragraph.
Topic Sentence:
Explanation of reason why US or USSR is responsible for Cold War:
Evidence and analysis: (Analysis= explain how the evidence relates to what you are saying)
Explain how this supports your thesis:
Conclusion:Begin the conclusion by restating your thesis. Then, summarize the general topics you discussed in the paper as a whole (No more than one sentence for each topic). Finally, end the essay with one strong concluding sentence (** No new information or arguments should be introduced in this paragraph and read your last sentence to yourself… if it sounds cheesy … then revise).