Name: _________________________________ Date: _______________________ Block: _____ Geo. Washington Letter Primary Source Mini‐DBQ A DBQ (Document Based Question) is designed to determine what you have learned after examining and analyzing a primary source document. The DBQ asks a specific question about the document that is to be answered in an essay format, using the information found in the document to support your answer. The information you include in your answer can be a (1) summarization or, (2) quoting portions of document to support your answer. Any time you quote directly from a primary source, you must italicize the quote AND explain what it means! DBQ: In his letter to James Madison dated November 1786, how did Washington feel about the present government at the time – the Articles of Confederation – and what solution did he propose to solve the problems facing the nation? To help you organize your thoughts and to write a good essay, make sure to include the following in your answer. 1. Always begin your essay with an introductory statement, known as a thesis statement that includes a brief, concise answer to the DBQ. 2. How did George Washington feel about the central government – the Articles of Confederation – and the problems it was causing the country in November, 1786? Look for sections of the document where he makes his opinions known. 3. How did George Washington propose the problem could be solved? 4. Create an outline indicating what information you will use in answering the question – THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE AN ACTUAL ROUGH DRAFT! A rubric on the back will guide you as to what I expect in your essay answer and how you will be graded. 4 3 2 1 Introductory (Thesis) Statement Introductory (Thesis) Introductory (Thesis) Introductory (Thesis) Statement Statement Statement • Contains a clear, well‐
developed introduction that includes more than one part of the essay question • Contains a clear introduction that includes a part of the essay question • Contains an incomplete • Contains no introduction that does introductory statement not include any part of the essay question Body of the Essay Body of the Essay Body of the Essay
Body of the Essay
• Composes the essay with two‐to‐three factual, historical pieces of information from the document that is related to the question in the form of quotes • Quotes from the document are then explained clearly • One quote is analyzed to explain its meaning • Essay clearly answers the DBQ, and contains references of prior knowledge of the topic • Composes the essay with one factual, historical piece of information from the document that is related to the question in the form of a quote • Quote from the document is then explained clearly • Includes many ideas related to the question or main idea • Essay answers the DBQ. • Composes the essay with some of the factual, historical information from the document that is related to the question or main idea with no quote • Includes few ideas related to the question or main idea • Incomplete developed essay that partly answers the DBQ • Contains an unfocused essay, or simply paraphrases the question, provides no relevant historical facts from the document • Essay contains little or no understanding of the question • Contains no ideas that relate to the question or the main idea, does not answer the DBQ Sentence Structure, Punctuation, Capitalization Sentence Structure, Punctuation, Capitalization Sentence Structure, Punctuation, Capitalization Sentence Structure, Punctuation, Capitalization • Contains some punctuation and capitalization errors • Some evidence that ideas are developed in a logical order and/or sequence. • May contain major grammatical errors • May be poorly organized and/or written • Contains substantial punctuation and capitalization errors • Little evidence that ideas are developed in a logical order and/or sequence. • Grammatical errors make essay difficult to read • Poorly written and/or organized • Is completely off topic • Proper punctuation and • Proper punctuation and capitalization is used capitalization is used • Evidence of conscious • May contain some word choice grammatical errors that do not seriously detract • Essay make its arguments from the quality of the with an economy of essay words—avoiding unnecessary information • Has acceptable organization and writing • Ideas are developed in a logical order in structure and/or sequence • Is clearly written and organized • Name: _________________________________ Date: _______________________ Block: _____ • • • Your Score: ________________