Step by Step Guide

on How to Write
DOCUMENT
BASED ESSAYS












Name: _____________________________







TABLE OF CONTENTS






The Basics


How to set up your pre-write/planning page ...... 1-3
How to write an introductory paragraph.. 4
How to write a body paragraph 5-6
Transitions ....
Dos & Donts.
7
8
How to write a conclusion
Edit & Review
9
10
Student Friendly Rubric for Document Based Essays.. 11

















The Basics
How to set up a Pre-Write planning page

Step 1: Examine the Cover Page of your essay
Actively read the cover page of the essay
Pay very close attention to the purpose of your essay (sometimes called the Task)
Do not skip the directions!
Highlight/underline the Historical Context/Background

Step 2: Start with a blank sheet of paper to set up your Pre-Write sheet
*there are multiple methods, below is just one example.
















Step 3: Decide how many body paragraphs, and the theme of each.













Reserve this space
for your
INTRODUCTION
formula
Reserve this
space for your
CONCLUSION
formula
Always reserve this
space for your notes
on how to set up your
BODY
PARAGRAPH(s)
Draw vertical lines to divide
this section based on how
many body paragraphs you
plan to write *
*you will often decide the
number of body paragraphs in
your essay based on the task/
prompt. If this section has two
tasks or bullets, it is safe to say
your essay will have at least
two body paragraphs.
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Step 4: Plug in Formulas on your Pre-Write for both the Introductory and Conclusion
paragraph (the formulas are described in depth on pages 4 and 9)
















Step 5: Create a TOPIC SENTENCE for each BODY PARAGRAPH. Your topic sentence will be
the first sentence of each body paragraph and it introduces the theme of your paragraph. Use the
information on the cover of your essay (where it is discusses the purpose or objective of the essay) to
create your sentence. This section is sometimes referred to as the Prompt or Task.













Step 6: Document Examination & Questions Once the framework for your
essay is set up, it is now time to examine the documents and complete the questions under
each document. Some students prefer to combine steps 6 & 7, alternating between the
each document and writing down information on their Pre-Write sheet.





Step 7: Finish Pre-Write Once you have sorted the documents onto your planning
page, your Pre-Write should also include at least one detail or piece of outside information
for each document present. Be sure the information you add supports the topic sentence.


Thesis formula: Historical Context (3-4) + Thesis/Controlling Idea (1)

TOPIC SENTENCE:__________________ TOPIC SENTENCE:_________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________













Conclusion formula: Restate Thesis(1) + Body Sum-Ups (2) +Closing Sentence (1)
BODY
PARAGRAPH:

Use an individual
bullet under the
Prompt or Task
to create a topic
sentence. Repeat if
there are multiple
items listed under
the Tasks.
*The number of Body Sum-Ups will be based on the number of body paragraphs in
your essay. For each body paragraph, you will need one body sum-up sentence.
INTRODUCTION
FORMULA:

Historical Context
(3-4 sentences)
+ Controlling
Idea/Thesis
(1 sentence)


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CONCLUSION
FORMULA:
Restate Controlling
Idea/Thesis (1) +
Body Sum-Ups (?)*
+ Closing Sentence
(1)




For 3-5 minutes


What Outside Information will help support the theme of this essay?
Write it down on your pre-write if you have not already!
Are you forgetting about anything?

Does the order you listed the documents on your Pre-Write make sense?
For example, maybe save the Factory System document for the end of your
first body paragraph since the first topic of your next paragraph will talk about
factory workers and the topics are similar in nature. The choice is yours!
You will need to think about what order makes the most sense to tackle
the given assignment in a smooth and organized fashion.




















You are NOW ready to write your essay!

Thesis formula: Historical Context or Background (3-4) + Thesis (1)


TOPIC SENTENCE: During the Industrial TOPIC SENTENCE: Despite the positive effects
Revolution, many inventions were created that of the Industrial Revolution, some groups of
help to make life easier for Americans. people faced hardships during this era.














Conclusion formula:
Restate Thesis (1) + Body Sum-Ups (2) + Closing Sentence (1)

Doc.1- Factory System

Doc. 2- Steel Plow

Outside Info (O.I.)- other inventions
include interchangeable parts and the
telegraph.
Doc.4- Factory Workers

long hours low pay child labor

Doc. 3- City Living

high crime rate no indoor plumbing
O.I.


O.I.


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HOW TO WRITE AN Introductory PARAGRAPH


Introductory Paragraph
There are various ways to write the first paragraph of a DBQ essay. This page will walk
you through one example. After reading the Historical Context/Background and the
Task section on the cover of your essay, you are ready to begin!







The first three to four sentences set the stage of your essay by introducing the
subject, theme or time period of the topic you are about to discuss. The cover page of your
Document Based Question (DBQ) essay usually provides you with some useful
background you can rephrase and use for your introduction. It is sometimes referred to as
the HISTORICAL CONTEXT or HISTORICAL BACKGROUND, and it is usually listed above
your PROMPT/TASK.

The last sentence of the introduction paragraph is your controlling idea, which is also
called the thesis statement. Use the bulleted information under the Prompt/Task to
create your controlling idea/thesis. If there are multiple items under the Prompt/Task,
combine the bullets into one smooth flowing sentence.

The Formula for writing a 4-5 SENTENCE introductory paragraph:












THE PURPOSE OF THE INTRODUCTION is to give background
and to set the stage for your essay. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO
GIVE SPECIFIC INFORMATION RELATING TO THE TASK/PROMPT
HERE save that for your body paragraphs!


Historical Context/Background (3-4)


+ Controlling Idea/Thesis (1)

= Introductory Paragraph!!!
(4-5 sentences total)
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HOW TO WRITE A BODY PARAGRAPH
KEEP IN MIND..










Getting Started on your Body Paragraph
Think of your essay as a cheeseburger! The top of the bun is your introductory paragraph
and the bottom bun is your concluding paragraph. All the stuff between represents your
body paragraph(s).












FIRST, begin each body paragraph with a TOPIC SENTENCE. A topic sentence should
be a well-developed, clearly stated sentence that indicates the subject of the paragraph. The
purpose of the topic sentence is to inform the reader the theme of your paragraph. To create
your topic sentence you need to look at the task/prompt of your essay and create a clear, easy
to read sentence that informs the reader you will be discussing in your body paragraph.







The number of body paragraphs in your essay is determined by two things
the requirements that are listed under the Prompt/Task
the amount of information you know relating to the topic


As you use your pre-write/planning page as a guide, you may find that a paragraph
becomes lengthy after writing about one document, analyzing and incorporating outside
information, but you are not finished addressing the task. In these instances, it would be
beneficial to start a new paragraph. Rephrasing your topic sentence and adding a
transition word (examples can be found on page 7) will help move from one topic to the next.
Body paragraph(s)


It is your job to stick to that
theme throughout that
paragraph.

This is the 2
nd
most
common mistake when
writing an essay!

INTRO paragraph
Conclusion paragraph
Body paragraph includes:
TOPIC SENTENCE
TRANSITION
DOCUMENT INFORMATION
ANALYSIS & OUTSIDE Information
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YOUR GOAL is to write a smooth flowing body paragraph that convinces the reader
you are AN EXPERT ON THE SUBJECT YOU ARE WRITING ABOUT!






























After your topic sentence, the meat of your essay
includes the following components
transitions document information
document analysis outside information
After your topic sentenceintroduce your first topic.




Now, carefully select an excerpt from the document which
supports the topic sentence. Dont forget to properly cite!




Next you want to ANALYZE your Document Information.





As for the OUTSIDE INFORMATION sometimes it is
embedded in your ANALYSIS (if it relates to your document)
while other times it may be separate.





Unless directed otherwise, plan on using ALL the documents
in your essay. When writing an essay, you will need to repeat
the process above as many times as needed. At times you may
need to TRANSISTION from one idea to the next.

During the Industrial Revolution many inventions were created to make life
easier for Americans. One example is the Steel Plow.


topic
sentence
transition
The Steel Plow was invented by John Deere. This invention helped farmers
cut through dry, hard soil (Document 2).


Doc.
Info
Proper Citation! (Doc.2) also works!
This invention would allow farmers, especially in the west, the ability to
grow crops on land once deemed unsuited for farming.


Doc.
Analysis
Outside
Info
Another invention during this era was the telegraph. (DONT STOP
HERE! BE SURE TO EXPLAIN HOW IT CONNECTS TO THE
TOPIC SENTENCE! Explain how this invention made life easier)


Example
of
Transition

MOST
Common Mistake
Essay lacks
analysis or outside
information***


***Pretend the person reading your essay has ZERO background on the topic. If you use ONE sentence from
the document (with citation), plan on explaining the excerpt in no less than TWO sentences after the citation.

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TRANSITION WORDS &



Transitions serve multiple purposes; they are important because:
transitions ensure your essay is smooth flowing and easy to read.
transitions are phrases or words that are used to move from one
idea to the next.
There are many different types of transitions. It is your job to decide which to use!

Examples of Transition Words.
Addition As well as Another Also Besides Additionally
Similarity Similarly In the same way Likewise Equally
Conflict However Conversely Whereas While On the other hand



HOW do you end your BODY PARAGRAPH?










Similar to TRANSITIONS, the final
sentence of your body paragraph helps
to close out one body paragraph, and
sometimes serves to transition to the
next body paragraph.

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Common Mistake when writing a BODY PARAGRAPH



































Never use personal pronouns.
(Examples include: I, we, you, etc.)


Never introduce evidence from a
document without following it up with
an explanation of WHY it belongs in
the paragraph you placed it in. Dont
just list EXPLAIN!!!

Never take ideas from a documents
without citation.

After you present information from the document, be
sure to explain and connect document evidence to the
topic sentence. A good rule of thumbfor every one sentence of
document information, you should have at least 2 sentences of
analysis.

Use relevant OUTSIDE INFORMATION to further
support the topic sentence!

Whenever possible, provide supporting details and
examples to support the theme of your paragraph.

Cite each time you use information from the
DOCUMENTS (even if it is rephrased in your own words)

Proofread your essay for simple errors and make sure
you have answered all the aspects of the task.

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HOW TO WRITE CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH







The formula for writing a simple & concise conclusion paragraph:













REPHRASE THE CONTROLLING IDEA: Take your Controlling Idea/ Thesis
from your first paragraph (last sentence of your introductory paragraph)
and use it as your first sentence of your conclusion paragraph!

BODY SUM-UPS (1 per body paragraph) The conclusion should be
brief and highlight what you talked about during your essay. Remember, it should not
include any new information or details. Body Sum-Ups should rephrase your topic
sentence for a body paragraph in such a way that you can then list off the topics discussed in
that paragraph in the form of a sentence. If there are more than one body
paragraph, the number of body sum-ups should match the number of body paragraphs.

CLOSING SENTENCE: The closing sentence is a very direct and simple statement that is
either thought provoking or it leaves the reader wanting to learn more. This sentence could
be a sneak peek at what is to come in the next era of history or may shift the focus to a
similar/related topic. The closing sentence should not be a rhetoric question or opinion. Just
like anywhere else in your essay, avoid using personal pronouns (I, you, we, etc.)
The purpose of the closing paragraph is to sum up your essay in a clear and
concise manner. You should not present any new information at this point, just
summarize and wrap up what you have already presented in your essay. As
always, avoid any personal pronouns (I, we, you, etc.) and opinion.




Rephrased Controlling Idea/Thesis (1)
Body Sum-Ups (?)
+ Closing Sentence (1)

=Conclusion Paragraph!!!
(usually 4 or 5 sentences total)
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ONE LAST STEP: REVIEW & EDIT



Check out the RUBRIC..


Read the various areas that you will be judged on
Be sure your essay did a good job addressing each of the elements
Think about the differences of the various degrees of scores and your goal




Review your essay one last time

If youre able, read your essay out loud. This may help you catch any potential mistakes.
While reading it, ask yourself the following questions

Did you make any silly grammar or spelling mistakes?
Are you missing any transitions or does your essay lack organization?
Did you properly cite document information?
Did you find any areas that may need additional analysis or detail? And MOST IMPORTANT
Did you sufficiently address the task?





















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Name: _________________________________ Essay Topic: _____________________________ Period: __

Student Friendly Social Studies DBQ Essay Rubric


Evaluated
Categories



Details on what you should do for each

Surpasses
Basic
Require-
ments
Meets
Basic
Require-
ments
Not
Meeting Basic
Requirements
Purpose/Task: *
Thoroughly addresses
all areas of task by
accurately analyzing
and interpreting the
documents.
Basically- Did you do the following?

Use each of the documents within the body of your essay
Correctly place each document in the correct body paragraph
Do a good job connecting the documents to the topic
sentence by explaining, giving details and examples


5


4
3

2

1

Outside Information:*
Incorporates relevant
outside information
that supports thesis.
Basically- Did you do the following?
Include information that relates to the topic sentence in
each body paragraph that is OUTSIDE information
Include details, facts and examples that are not in the
document
Outside Information is factual (correct)


5


4
3

2

1

Documents:*
Uses descriptive and
analytical information
from the documents in
the body of the essay
Basically- Did you do the following?
Accurately uses the required number of documents
Document usage supports the task
Goes a step further then just describing the document
but really explains why the document belongs in the
paragraph that you placed it in (CONNECT to Topic
Sentence).



5



4
3

2

1

Development:
Writes a well-
developed essay,
consistently
demonstrating a logical
and clear plan of
organization
Basically- Did you do the following?
Essay should be organized in multiple paragraphs-
Introduction, Body Paragraph(s) and Conclusion
Citations are written correctly. Example (Document 3).
Citations are placed in the proper locations.
Transitions are used when needed
Did not use personal pronouns (I, we, you)
Proof read to catch any grammar or careless mistakes


5


4
3

2

1

Introduction and
Conclusion:
Includes a purposeful
introduction and
conclusion.
Basically- Did you do the following?
Follow formula for writing Intro
Your intro should include a thesis at the end of the first
paragraph (using the bullets from the cover page of the
DBQ)Keep it simple!
Conclusion has body sum-up sentences.
Follow formula for writing Conclusion


5


4
3

2

1
*Blue Highlighting in the categories above indicates a more weight is placed on these categories for overall grade
Conversion Chart:
5 = 100%
4.5 = 93%
4 = 86%
3.5 = 79%
3 = 72%
2.5 = 65%
2 = 58%
1.5 = 51%
1 = 44%
.5 = 37%

Comments
Amazing essay, great job!!!
Just a few minor mistakes-nice work
Good/OK- please review comments on your essay and above, and see me if you have questions.
Needs improvement. After reviewing comments/rubric, please make corrections within
48 hours & set up a time to meet with me to go over them.
Please schedule a writing conference before our next essay to review strategies that may be
helpful when tackling your next writing assignment.
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