CB DSE History (DBQ)

DSE History: Data-based Questions

Spend ~2 minutes per mark!

*2n or (2n-1) marks  n points
If not sure: 3 marks = 1 stance + 2-3 sub-stance
Taglines “To my OK” / “According to Source A"
I. Basic Questions (a)(b)

Uniform stance throughout

1 central stance + 3 explicit attitudes
1x: Start with positive, neutral, or negative
3x: Specified attitudes + reference (+ OK)

1. Attitude Positive: Optimistic, supportive, appreciative, sincere, enthusiastic,

approving, cooperative, …
Neutral: Apathetic, indifferent, …
Negative: Pessimistic, unsupportive, critical, hostile, discontent,
resentful, disapproving, sarcastic, …

Possible mixed / ambivalent stance

1 central stance + 3 explicit opinions
1x: Start with stance
2. View / 1-2x: Specified opinion (+ attitude) + reference (+ OK)
Message
View question: use a complete interpretation (informative, not descriptive)
 The Treaty of Versailles sowed more crises than it solved.
 The author was disapproving of the Treaty of Versailles.

Possible mixed / ambivalent stance

1-2x: Some of four main purposes + reference + inference

Common purposes: (use two if possible)

3. Purpose  Glamorization / Popularization  seek satisfaction on subj.
 Criticism / Vilification  seek dissatisfaction on subj.
 Safeguarding / Patronization  to ensure or subserve
 Solicitation of support  to seek common view
 CB DSE History (DBQ)

Language:
1x: Commendatory or Derogatory?
4. Inference via 1-3x: Identify rhetoric/vocabulary + explain significance (+ OK)
language or
argument Argument:
1x: Author’s stance
1-2x: Integrate arguments + explain significance

Feature vs Nature = Peripheral vs Fundamental

Feature: (per point) (don’t

1x: Sign / element (own words, and conceptualize!)
5. Feature /
1x: Clues + OK + explain link
Nature
Nature: (per point)
1x: Central point (own words, and conceptualize!)
1x: Overall clues + OK + explain link

(per point)
1x: Role
6. Role 1-2x: Clues + OK (via behavior / characteristics)
(possibly advanced)
Examples: catalyst, intensifier, mediator, decelerator, commencer,
founder, …

1. (before) Situation before point of focus

7. Change / 2. (during) Specific activity at the point of focus
turning point 3. (after) Situation after the point of focus
4. Describe general change

Specific comparison:
1x: Identify points of two sources
1x: Determine if they are same + explain
8. Compare
opinions General comparison:
1x: Conclude central stances of two sources
1x: Determine if they are same + explain
 CB DSE History (DBQ)

1x: Caption
1-2x: Identify / integrate clues + explain
9. Caption
 Look around questions for caption clues!!
 If caption has two significant elements, explain independently

Jackpot! Tame it.

1x: Stance
10. Generalization 1x: Quote source
1x: Explain strictly according to question

II. Advanced Questions (c)

Large Extent: -+++ or ++-+

At least 2 arguments EACH for Source and OK!
Do not forgo any one of source / OK under time pressure!

4-part structure:
1-3x: Usefulness of source
 Element shown by source(s)
 Quote / Integrate source content
 Explain with historical examples

Opt. (max 1x): Partial usefulness of source

11. Usefulness &  Element shown by source(s)
Limitations  Quote / Integrate source content
 Explain what it mentions AND leaves out
 Supplement historical examples

1-2x: Limitation of source(s)

 Significant element not shown by source(s)
 Explain OK on how the element is useful for your case
 Supplement historical examples

8-part structure: (4 positive OR 3 positive 1 negative)

1-3x: Point
12. Polar opinion  Stance
 Quote source or (OK) briefly explain stance
 Supplement OK historical examples
 CB DSE History (DBQ)

Must contain both fair AND unfair!!!

Point-based structure:
2-4x: Point
 Fair or unfair + quote source
13. Fair, biased  OK for your stance
and reliable
(possibly basic) Source-based structure:
2-3x: Point
 Integrated view from the source
 OK1 for why it is fair/unfair
 OK2 for why it is fair/unfair

(a) How important is…

Extent + 2-4x: Point
 Element of importance (if applicable)
 OK or source
 How it is important / How it is more important than others
Refutation:
14. Relative  Element of relative unimportance (if applicable)
importance of  OK or source (that helps you)
factor  How it is not important / How it is less important than others

(b) Is … the most important

Extent + 2-4x: Point
 Element of importance (if applicable)
 OK or source
 How it is important / How it is more/less important than others

1-4 marks: choose one; 5-8 marks: choose one but evaluate the other
(a) Simple method:
2-4x: Point (with one refutation if necessary, placed in inner sections)
 Topic sentence (why A is good / why B is bad)
 OK or source
 Supplement with OK

15. Choice (b) Advanced method:

 1x: Topic sentence (why A is good)
 OK or source
 1x: Topic sentence (why B is good)
 OK or source
 Make comparison between sources + OK
 1-2x: Why A is better than B
 1-2x: Source + OK
 CB DSE History (DBQ)

Turning point / transformation

1. Raise element of change
2. (before) Situation before point of focus
3. (during) Specific activity at the point of focus
4. (after) Situation after the point of focus
N1. (before) Situation before point of focus
16. Compare N2. (after) Situation after the point of focus
situations N3. Similarities  how change was insignificant

More harm than good / Similarities and differences

1-3x: Point
 Stance
 Quote source or (OK) briefly explain stance
 Supplement OK historical examples + explain link

Frame answer by chronological order and in 4 parts of times

Usually go for “yes” or “large extent”
Make sure answer is progressive (link with previous decade if possible)
17. Changes in
 1960s: Quote source and explain
relationship  1960s: OK and explain
 1970s: …
 (if needed) General comparison of trend (Source and/or OK)

(with choice(15) or polar opinion(12) commonly)

*Be very careful of wording – suite the tone of your assigned identity

18. “If you were” Special addition: “How would you respond” question
 Quote and integrate source
 Stance of response
 Explain link with OK