Data Based Questions:
Data Based Questions were introduced by New York State to help students hone higher level critical thinking skills. Students are required to analyze and interpret documents, which can be an essay, chart, map, cartoon, poetry, law, congressional documents, newspaper article, etc. At the present time, the DBQ is used primarily in Social Studies. However, the higher thinking skills necessary to score a high grade on the DBQ in Social Studies are being introduced in other subjects.
The DBQ has two parts. The first part requires the students to answer specific questions based on each document. The second part involves writing an essay to answer a specific question. The documents must be used judiciously and analytically in composing the DBQ essay answer.
OUTLINE FOR THE DBQ ESSAY
INTRODUCTION TO INCLUDE:
THESIS STATEMENT
OUTSIDE INFORMATION: SET THE SCENE
BODY:
MAJOR PROOFS WITH SUPPORTING DETAILS: (At least three major proofs)
1.
Documents: Outside information:
a)
b)
c)
2.
Documents: Outside Information:
a
b)
c)
3.
Documents: Outside Information:
a)
b)
c)
4.
Documents: Outside Information:
a)
b)
c)
CONCLUSION:
(Include concession statement if appropriate) Rework the thesis statement.
HINT: Write the introduction deductively and the conclusion inductively.
OVERALL DBQ SELF EVALUATION
INTRODUCTION
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| A clear statement of position in answering the question |
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| Shows in-depth understanding of the question to be answered |
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SETTING THE SCENE
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| Includes all the relevant ideas and events of the time period |
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| Shows real understanding of the time period |
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ANALYSIS OF DOCUMENTS
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| Documents are discussed and discussed well |
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| Accuracy and interpretation of the documents |
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| Logical grouping and interpretations of documents |
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| BASIC WRITING SKILLS |
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| Historically accurate and complete |
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| Overall degree of thoroughness |
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| Logical organization and presentation |
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| Grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. |
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| Contains “extras” that are good |
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| OVERALL IMPRESSION |
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Key: 1 = bad, 2 = weak, 3 = satisfactory, 4 = very good, 5 = superior
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New York State Rubric for Data Based Essay (DBQ)
Score 5
. Thoroughly develops all aspects of the task evenly and in depth
. Is more analytical than descriptive (analyzes, evaluates, and/or creates information)
. Incorporates relevant information from at least xxx documents (number determined each year)
. Richly supports the theme with many relevant facts, examples, details
. Demonstrates a logical and clear plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that are beyond a restatement
Score 4
. Develops all aspects of the task but do so somewhat unevenly
. Is both descriptive and analytical (applies, analyzes, evaluates, and/or creates information)
. Incorporates relevant information in at least xxx documents (number determined each year)
. Incorporates relevant outside information
. Supports the theme with relevant facts, examples and details
. Demonstrates a logical and clear plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion beyond a restatement of the theme
Score 3
. Develop all aspects of the task with little depth or develops some aspects of the task in some depth
. Is more descriptive than analytical (applies, may analyze, and/or evaluate information)
. Incorporates some relevant information from some of the documents
. Incorporates limited outside information
. Includes some relevant facts, examples, and details; may include some minor inaccuracies
. Demonstrates a satisfactory plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that may be a restatement of the theme
Score 2
. Minimally develops all aspects of the task or develops some aspects of the task in some depth
. Is primarily descriptive; may include faulty, weak, or isolated application or analysis
. Incorporates limited relevant information from the documents or consists primarily of relevant information copied from the documents
. Presents little or no relevant outside information
. Includes few relevant facts, examples, and details; may include some inaccuracies
. Demonstrates a general plan of organization; may lack focus; may contain digressions; may not clearly identify which aspect of the task is being addressed; may lack an introduction and/or conclusion
Score 1
. Minimally develops some aspects of the task
. Is descriptive; may lack understanding, application, or analysis
.Makes vague, unclear references to the documents or consists primarily of relevant and irrelevant information copied from the documents
. Presents no relevant outside information
. Includes few relevant facts, examples or details; may include inaccuracies
. May demonstrate a weakness in organization; may lack focus; may contain digressions; may not clearly identify which aspects of the task is being addressed; may lack an introduction and/or conclusion
Score 0
. Fails to develop the task or may only refer to the theme in a general way
.OR includes no relevant facts, examples, or details
. OR includes only the historical context and/or task as copied from the test booklet
. OR is illegible
. OR is a blank paper
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