DBQ – Globalization
For this document based question, you may choose to affirm (agree with) or negate (disagree with) one
of three prompts of varying difficulty. The prompts are:
Challenging Prompt: The forces of globalization are a net benefit to humanity.
Very Challenging (and therefore more interesting!): The United States government ought to pursue a
neoliberal economic policy regarding global trade.
Wizardry: Assuming the negative position, kritik the underlying assumption that globalization is a net
benefit to humanity or why the U.S. government ought to pursue a neoliberal economic policy. In order
to accomplish this, you will also need to briefly outline (but NOT completely write) what you would think
a standard affirmative DBQ might argue so that you might have a case to kritik.
Documents: Can all be found on google classroom.
“Buckets” for documents will be Economic, Social, Political, and Environmental. So you should pick three
of these and build your thesis using economic, social, political, environmental reasoning for supporting
your argument.
You should have the following components in your essay:
1. An introductory statement with a thesis at the bottom of the introductory paragraph. The thesis
should contain whether you affirm/negate and a preview of the three reasons why – your three
body paragraphs. Example. I negate the idea that the forces of globalization are a net benefit to
humanity because of their economic, social, and environmental impacts.
2. Three body paragraphs. You must pick three of the four ESPN’s for your “buckets” on this. They
should each contain a
a. topic sentence that summarizes your contention supporting your thesis.
b. They should also include a “warrant”, or a piece of evidence from one or more article, either
that I have provided or that YOU have found through your own reading/extra credit
assignments.
c. Impacts – an explanation of why the evidence relates BACK TO YOUR THESIS. This is the
most important part of your argument.
d. All VERY GOOD arguments will also anticipate what the other side might say to refute your
ideas, and will offer counter arguments to the opposing side.
3. A solid conclusion that uses theory or knowledge of current events to bring your arguments
home and leave a strong logical or emotional impact on the reader. Do not begin with “In
conclusion” or any other formulaic concluding platitudes.
4. MLA citations.
What am I looking for?
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I don’t care which way you answer. It is your job to convince me that you are correct.
Use emotional and logical appeals to get me to agree with you.
I want evidence of independent thinking, application of theories from the course, and a broad
knowledge of current events.
I also care deeply that your essays are structured logically with a thesis statement, ClaimWarrant-Impact-Counter Argument in every body paragraph, and a conclusion.
I want to see organized, logical thought that is compelling and original.
Introduction: 20 points
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5 points – introductory statement that contextualizes the issue of globalization, using current
events and real world examples.
15 points – Thesis statement. Thesis statement must do the following – clearly state your
position of affirmative/negative (no points for thesis statements that waffle or try to incorporate
both sides. You may not answer both affirmative or negative) and have your three counter
arguments (economic, social, political, environmental) briefly summarized. Thesis may only be
one sentence.
Body Paragraphs: 60 points, 20 for each body paragraph.
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5 points – Introduction/Claim: Must support your thesis and include the key theme of reasoning
(economic, social, political, or environmental).
5 points – Warrant: You must have supporting documentation. One source is required but
several are best. This warrant could be from the documents I have provided, the textbook, or
from your own research and current events assignments.
5 points – Impact: Tell me how this evidence supports your thesis.
5 points – Counter Argument: All VERY GOOD arguments will also anticipate what the other side
might say to refute your ideas, and will offer counter arguments to the opposing side.
Conclusion: 10 points
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A good conclusion will end on a memorable note, perhaps recalling the current events
mentioned in the introduction, making predictions about the future. A good conclusion will
leave me with a memorable impression and will affect the reader strongly either emotionally or
logically. The conclusion is your chance to be broad and get creative.
A bad conclusion might begin with a formulaic, “In conclusion”, or “too conclude” and will
ramble or not have much to say, leaving the reader with a weak impression of the overall
argument.
MLA Citation: 10 points
You are NOT allowed to use “I” “We” or any iteration of the first person on this essay. Five point
deduction for any use of first person. Your arguments should stand on their own.