Document-Based Question Guidelines

I. Examples of document-based questions:
1. What accounts for the rise of European colonial empires, starting in the 1400s?
2. What were the effects of European colonial empires on the rest of the world? 

II. Tips on how to prepare a response to the questions.

For starters, follow the basic five-paragraph essay, and expand as needed.

Format overview:
A. Introductory paragraph & thesis statement.
B. Second paragraph: Overview of historiography and set-up of argument.
C. Body paragraphs: key points and use of primary source materials as evidence.
D. Conclusion paragraph.

A. Introductory paragraph & thesis statement.

There are different ways to begin the introductory paragraph, such as starting with a quote from a primary source, relating a story or highlighting a key question, problem or issue in history.

- Make sure to let the reader know what the issue is – what is at stake.

- Clearly and directly respond to the question in your thesis statement: state your argument.

- Make sure your argument poses a clear, direct explanation to the original question.

B. Second paragraph: Overview of historiography and set-up of argument.

Provide an overview of what historians or other scholars have written about this topic before, and clearly explain how your argument builds on, challenges or synthesizes what has been argued before.

- Discuss any typical or conventional arguments that scholars have made to answer this question, e.g (for example), the conventional arguments that Reed mentions for how to explain the rise of European colonialism, or that Bush presents to explain the effects of European colonialism.

- Note any limits or problems in these scholars’ arguments, use of evidence, etc.

- Pay attention to any possible counter-arguments, more recent research and what still needs to be done, like synthesizing the research and arguments already out there, resurrecting or testing an older argument, or introducing new primary sources, and thereby new interpretations and alternative explanations.
- Finish by outlining and explaining what you plan to argue and show in the rest of your essay, e.g., how your research builds on existing arguments, OR the need for a synthesis that brings together all of the older and more recent research and arguments to put together a fuller explanation of the problem, OR an antithesis that uses more recent research and your own efforts to refute a standing argument.

C. Body paragraphs: key points and use of primary source materials as evidence (usually at least 2-3 paragraphs).

Start each paragraph with strong, clear topic sentences.

- Make a sharp, clear point in each body paragraph that helps build a coherent argument.

- Make effective use of primary source evidence to support your point.
- Choose a compact, poignant quote or example from the primary source
- Contextualize the primary source
- Use the SOAPSTONE rubric to analyze the source to help provide context, i.e., who is the speaker, what is the document, etc.
- Clearly explain what this quote or example shows and how this helps support the point you want to make in this body paragraph.
- Avoid simply telling a reader a key point in your argument as if a matter of established fact; instead SHOW your reader the primary source evidence to support your point and demonstrate your argument.
- Be aware of any weaknesses or counter-points to your argument, and be prepared to address these problems in your own argument and use of evidence.

D. Conclusion paragraph.

Wrap up your argument in at least 2-3 sentences.

- Avoid simply repeating your original thesis statement.

- Summarize how your review of the historiography and interpretation of the primary sources leads you to the conclusion you want to make in response to the original question.