How to Write a DBQ Essay

Intermediate 15 min 18 steps 46701 views Rating: 4.2/5 Published: 2026-01-27

Review the documents for 10 to 15 minutes.. Identify the prompt's keywords and assigned tasks.. Note your documents' authors, points of view, and other details.

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Steps

1

Review the documents for 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 1

Review the documents for 10 to 15 minutes.

2

Identify the prompt's keywords and assigned tasks.

Step 2

Identify the prompt's keywords and assigned tasks.

3

Note your documents' authors, points of view, and other details.

Step 3

Note your documents' authors, points of view, and other details.

4

Place your sources into categories based on the essay prompt.

Step 4

Place your sources into categories based on the essay prompt.

5

Think of relevant outside information to include in your essay.

Step 5

Think of relevant outside information to include in your essay.

6

Review the prompt and form a perspective after reading the documents.

Step 6

Review the prompt and form a perspective after reading the documents.

7

Refine your rough argument into a tentative thesis.

Step 7

Refine your rough argument into a tentative thesis.

8

Make an outline of your argument's structure.

Step 8

Make an outline of your argument's structure.

9

Plug your document citations into the outline.

Step 9

Plug your document citations into the outline.

10

Refine your thesis after making the outline.

Step 10

Refine your thesis after making the outline.

11

Keep your eye on the clock and plan your time strategically.

Step 11

Keep your eye on the clock and plan your time strategically.

12

Include your thesis and 1 to 2 sentences of context in your introduction.

Step 12

Include your thesis and 1 to 2 sentences of context in your introduction.

13

Write your body paragraphs.

Step 13

Write your body paragraphs.

14

Make sure to show how each body paragraph connects to your thesis.

Step 14

Make sure to show how each body paragraph connects to your thesis.

15

Weave together your argument in your conclusion.

Step 15

Weave together your argument in your conclusion.

16

Proofread your essay for spelling and grammatical mistakes.

Step 16

Proofread your essay for spelling and grammatical mistakes.

17

Make sure you've included all required elements.

Step 17

Make sure you've included all required elements.

18

Check that your names, dates, and other facts are accurate.

Step 18

Check that your names, dates, and other facts are accurate.

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