A FORMULA for Writing a DBQ

Summary

The video script humorously compares writing a successful DBQ essay to achieving victory in the game Fortnite, emphasizing there's no one-size-fits-all approach. It suggests starting with context and a thesis, then structuring body paragraphs around 'topic sentence, evidence, analysis'. The script recommends using all documents for evidence and incorporating outside sources for a high score, offering a formula for those who prefer structure over freeform writing.

Takeaways

• 📚 There's no one-size-fits-all formula for writing a DBQ, but a structured approach can help maximize points.
• 🎮 The speaker humorously compares the challenge of getting a Victory Crown in Fortnite to scoring high on a DBQ.
• 👨‍🦲 Despite being 43 and bald, the speaker admits to enjoying Fortnite, using it as a metaphor for the DBQ writing process.
• ❓ Common questions about DBQ structure, like paragraph count and need for a conclusion, are addressed with the answer that there's no set format required.
• 📝 The script suggests starting with a thesis that includes categories to structure the body paragraphs of the essay.
• 📈 The formula for a DBQ paragraph is outlined as: Topic Sentence, Evidence, Analysis.
• 📜 For evidence, use documents provided in the DBQ, described in your own words, not direct quotes.
• 🔍 Analysis involves showing how the evidence supports the topic sentence and ties back to the thesis.
• 💯 To score full points, include at least four documents in your analysis, aiming for the complexity point.
• 🔗 Source at least two documents and add evidence beyond the documents to enhance the argument.
• 🏆 Following the provided formula can lead to a high score, akin to earning a Victory Crown in Fortnite.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video transcript?

The main topic of the video transcript is the strategy for writing a Document-Based Question (DBQ) that can score maximum points, using a formulaic approach similar to playing the video game Fortnite.

Why does the speaker compare writing a DBQ to playing Fortnite?

The speaker compares writing a DBQ to playing Fortnite to illustrate that, just like achieving a 'Victory Crown' in the game, there is no single way to get maximum points on a DBQ; different strategies can be employed based on individual preference.

What is the speaker's stance on the necessity of a conclusion paragraph in a DBQ?

The speaker clarifies that there is no requirement for a conclusion paragraph in a DBQ on the national exam, emphasizing that there is no set format for these essays.

What is the recommended structure for the first paragraph of a DBQ according to the speaker?

The speaker recommends starting the first paragraph with two or three sentences of contextualization containing specific historical information, followed by a thesis statement that is historically defensible and outlines the argument and categories for the essay.

How many body paragraphs should a DBQ have according to the categories in the thesis?

The number of body paragraphs in a DBQ should correspond to the number of categories established in the thesis. For example, if there are three categories, there should be three body paragraphs.

What is the formula for writing a body paragraph in a DBQ as suggested by the speaker?

The formula for writing a body paragraph in a DBQ suggested by the speaker is: Topic Sentence, Evidence, Analysis. This is similar to the SQA (Source, Question, Answer) format but with an emphasis on analysis to support the thesis.

What is the purpose of introducing evidence with phrases like 'Document 4 says'?

The purpose of introducing evidence with phrases like 'Document 4 says' is to ensure that the writer is clearly using the documents as evidence, especially helpful for those who may be struggling with incorporating sources into their essays.

How many documents should be included in the analysis to aim for full points in a DBQ?

To aim for full points in a DBQ, the speaker suggests including at least four documents in the analysis, or all seven documents if aiming for the complexity point.

What does the speaker mean by 'Source at least two documents' in the context of a DBQ?

The speaker means that within the body paragraphs, the writer should provide context or additional information about at least two documents by mentioning the events' larger context or the audience of the documents, and then explaining how this information supports the argument.

What additional evidence beyond the documents is required in a DBQ, and how should it be incorporated?

In a DBQ, the writer should include specific historical evidence that is not mentioned in the documents, which comes from their own knowledge. This should be incorporated in the same manner as the documents, with a clear introduction, explanation, and analysis showing how it supports the argument.

What is the speaker's final advice on achieving a high score in a DBQ?

The speaker's final advice is to follow the provided formula, use all seven documents to support the argument or source four documents, and ensure that the essay is structured and analyzed to prove the thesis, which will lead to a high score in a DBQ.

Outlines

00:00

📚 DBQ Writing Strategy

The speaker introduces a formula for writing a Document-Based Question (DBQ) that can score maximum points. He draws a parallel between achieving a Victory Crown in Fortnite, a game he recently started playing, and scoring well on a DBQ. The speaker clarifies that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to writing a DBQ, as different people have different strategies, much like in Fortnite. He emphasizes that there is no set format for DBQs, and one can structure their essay in any way that makes sense to them. The speaker then provides a formula for those who seek guidance: start with contextualization and a thesis statement that includes specific historical information and is historically defensible. The thesis should establish categories that will structure the body paragraphs of the essay. The formula for body paragraphs is 'Topic Sentence - Evidence - Analysis', and the speaker suggests using documents as evidence. He also advises including at least four documents in the analysis and sourcing at least two documents with additional historical evidence not mentioned in the documents.

05:00

🏆 Maximizing DBQ Scores

The speaker explains that following the provided formula can lead to a score of six out of seven points on a DBQ, with the complexity point being the only one that might be variable. He suggests using all seven documents to support the argument or sourcing four documents instead of two as a straightforward way to earn the complexity point. The speaker also recommends watching another video for guidance on crafting a thesis and offers an APUSH Crash Course for more detailed assistance. The script ends with a humorous note, with the speaker jokingly claiming to be a great Fortnite player.

Keywords

💡DBQ

DBQ stands for Document-Based Question, which is a type of essay commonly found in history exams, such as the AP exams in the United States. It requires students to analyze and incorporate information from provided primary source documents into their essays. In the video, the speaker discusses a formula for writing a DBQ to maximize points, emphasizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach but offers a structured method for those who need guidance.

💡Five Town

In the context of the video, 'Five Town' likely refers to achieving the highest possible score on an exam, which is often represented by the number '5' in grading systems. The speaker uses this term to motivate students to aim for the best possible outcome in their DBQ essays.

💡Fortnite

Fortnite is a popular online video game mentioned by the speaker to relate to his audience, particularly younger students. The game involves players competing to be the last one standing, and the speaker draws a parallel between achieving victory in Fortnite and scoring maximum points on a DBQ.

💡Victory Crown

The 'Victory Crown' is a metaphor used by the speaker to represent the highest score or achievement in a competitive context, such as winning a Fortnite match or acing a DBQ. It symbolizes the ultimate goal that students should strive for when taking on challenges.

💡Contextualization

Contextualization in writing refers to providing historical or situational background that sets the stage for the main argument. In the video, the speaker instructs students to begin their DBQ with contextualization that includes specific historical information relevant to the prompt.

💡Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main argument or point of an essay. The speaker emphasizes the importance of a well-constructed thesis in a DBQ, which should be historically defensible and serve as a roadmap for the body paragraphs of the essay.

💡Body Paragraphs

Body paragraphs are the main sections of an essay where the writer develops and supports the thesis with evidence and analysis. The speaker provides a formula for writing effective body paragraphs in a DBQ, which includes a topic sentence, evidence from documents, and analysis that ties back to the thesis.

💡Topic Sentence

A topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph that states the main idea or argument of that paragraph. According to the speaker, the topic sentence in a DBQ should summarize the content of the paragraph and be derived from the thesis categories.

💡Evidence

In the context of a DBQ, evidence refers to the information from the provided documents that supports the student's argument. The speaker advises students to introduce evidence by paraphrasing document content and then analyzing how it supports their topic sentence.

💡Analysis

Analysis in a DBQ involves explaining how the evidence supports the student's argument. The speaker stresses the importance of analysis over mere description, as it is through analysis that students can earn full points for arguing their points.

💡Complexity Point

The 'complexity point' is a scoring element in some exams, including AP history exams, where students can earn additional points for demonstrating a deep and nuanced understanding of the topic. The speaker suggests using all seven documents and sourcing four documents to potentially earn this point.

Highlights

A formula for writing a DBQ that scores maximum points is introduced.

The speaker humorously admits to playing Fortnite despite being 43 years old.

The process of getting a Victory Crown in Fortnite is likened to scoring well on a DBQ.

There is no one way to write a DBQ; it's about finding a method that works for you.

The speaker clarifies that there is no required format for DBQ essays on the national exam.

Paragraph count and structure should be determined by the content, not by rigid rules.

The importance of starting with contextualization and a thesis statement is emphasized.

The thesis should contain categories that will structure the body paragraphs.

A formula for body paragraphs is presented: Topic sentence, evidence, analysis.

The speaker recommends starting sentences with 'Document X says' for clarity.

Analysis involves showing how evidence supports the topic sentence and thesis.

The speaker suggests including at least four documents in the analysis for full points.

Sourcing at least two documents and adding evidence beyond the documents is required.

There is no required location for sourcing documents within the essay.

The speaker provides a strategy for earning the complexity point by using all seven documents or sourcing four.

A high score of six out of seven on a DBQ is considered a good result.

The speaker offers further guidance on writing a thesis and provides a link to an AP course.

The speaker humorously claims to be the greatest Fortnite player ever lived.

Transcripts

now wouldn't it be nice if there was a

formula for writing a DBQ that scored

you maximum points and that got you all

the way to Five Town well there is and

I'm about to tell you about it so if

you're ready to get them brain cows

milks let's get to it now I'm a

43-year-old bald man but I'm not too

proud to admit that in the last few

months my kids have gotten me into

fortnite and you know I kind of love it

I mean to be fair I love it but that

doesn't mean I'm any good at it because

in fact I'm pretty awful but I bring it

up because the process of getting that

juicy Victory Crown which for me is

about as rare as a New York strip on the

refrigerated Shelf at my grocery store

is similar to getting maximum points on

your DBQ which is to say there is no one

way to do it some folks drop into the

hottest spots and start mowing down

their enemies with speed and others just

camp in a bush or chill in a car until

they're forced out I'm not going to tell

you which one I am but you know don't

judge me it's my journey what I mean is

people ask me all the time a lot of the

same questions like how many paragraphs

does my DBQ need to be do I need a

conclusion paragraph do I need an intro

paragraph and on and on the answer is

that none of these things is required

for the DBQ on the national exam how

many paragraphs as many as you need what

about the conclusion paragraph no

conclusion required there's no set

format for these essay so write it in

whatever way makes sense to you you want

to drop in the middle of things with

guns blazing you do you you want to hide

in a bunker and reconsider all your

life's choices you do you but if that's

too much freedom for you and it is for a

lot of people then I'm going to give you

a formula to follow but this is

certainly not the only way to get a good

score on the DBQ but for those of you

who want some guidelines well you know

here they are and by the way I'm not

going to teach you in this video how to

write all this stuff that's what this

playlist is for right here so get your

clicky finger out if you need that kind

of help or if you want that help faster

you can check out my apsa crem course

which is linked below okay so paragraph

number one start with two or three

sentences of contextualization remember

these sentences need to contain specific

historical information and they need to

be relevant to your prompt and in that

paragraph with your thesis statement

which is your argument and miniature and

must be historically defensible now if

you've constructed your thesis properly

you're going to have established some

categories that will structure the body

paragraphs of your essay and again if

you don't know how to write such a

thesis then watch this video right here

anyway let's say you've established

three categories for your argument and

we'll call them social political and

economic and if you have three

categories in your thesis that means

you're going to have three body

paragraphs or if you have two categories

you're going to have two body paragraphs

remember your thesis is the road map for

the rest of your essay so stick to it

and you're going to be just fine okay

now moving on to the body paragraphs

here is the formula to follow you spill

the T baby topic sentence evidence

analysis but himler is not the way you

taught us to write sq's dang straight it

is but it also works beautifully in

building a DBQ paragraph so start your

paragra with a topic sentence that

summarizes everything that's about to

follow and to do this just steal it from

your thesis your thesis said for example

that some historical development change

social political and economic realities

in this time period again to be clear

that's not a passable thesis because

it's not nearly specific enough but I'm

just giving you an example okay so your

first paragraph needs to start with a

topic sentence that steals this first

category from the thesis this historical

development changed social realities

during this period so this whole

paragraph is going to be about social

change and now you need to introduce

your evidence and for a DBQ that's

that's going to be your documents and

for this example let's suppose that

documents 14 and 7 support the social

aspect of this argument so to introduce

the evidence your next sentence should

begin document 4 says and then give a

brief description of that document in

your own words not a quotation your own

words and look I can hear the collective

groans of every AP teacher in our Fair

land after hearing what I just said

documents don't talk they say don't

start a sentence with document 4 says

and look I agree it's not going to be

the most elegant historical writing ever

produced but if you're watching this

it's because you're struggling and so in

my eyes this is probably the best way to

make sure that you're actually using the

documents for evidence so you know start

your sentences however you want but this

is my recommendation if you're

struggling then you have to go one step

further and analyze the evidence that

you just mentioned and don't get freaked

out all that means is you have to show

how your evidence supports your topic

sentence which in turn is just part of

your thesis so to do this the next

sentence should begin with these words

this shows or this demonstrates and then

go on to show how your evidence proves

your argument that last part is so

important because it's the difference

between an essay that describes rbes in

an essay that argues and you'll only get

full points for arguing after you've

completed your first body paragraph then

go on and do the same thing for the

second and third body paragraphs and if

you want full points make sure that you

include at least four documents in your

analysis or if you're feeling saucy do

all seven if you want to shout at that

juicy complexity point but we're not

done yet you still have to Source at

least two documents and put in some

evidence beyond the documents and again

there's no required location for these

so maybe here in paragraph 2 I'm going

to Source One of these documents and

then Source another one in paragraph

three and what that looks like is that

right after this document I'm going to

say the events in this document are

situated in the larger context of and

that's important because and then for

this document I'm going to Source it by

saying the audience of this document was

X and that suggests and finally you need

to add in some evidence beyond the

document this needs to be specific

historical evidence that is not

mentioned in the documents it just has

to come right out of your brain fold and

you're going to handle that in the same

way that you handle the documents within

your paragraph you're going to say

another piece of evidence related to

this event is and then drop your

vocabulary and then you're going to do

the exact same thing you did with the

documents you already named it so now

explain it and then analyze it which

again means that you show me how it

proves your argument now if you follow

that format you're going to get six out

of seven points on your DBQ and the only

Point accepted here is the complexity

Point look six out of seven is a fine

score and certainly nothing to sneeze at

however given that there are about a

gazillion ways that you can earn this

complexity Point probably the most

straightforward way to earn it is to

stick to the formula I gave you and use

all seven documents to support your

argument or Source Four documents

instead of two so follow this formula

and you'll find that no matter how you

approach this essay that victory Crown

will be yours for the take okay if you

don't know how to ride a thesis then

this video is what you should watch next

and you can click here to get my apsa

Cram Course if you want me to walk you

through every point on the writing for

your course and give you some examples

of exactly how to get them all hey I'll

catch you on the flipflop I'm lur out oh

I'm the greatest fortnite player has

ever lived oh my gosh oh