Document-Based Question Guidelines

I. Options for document-based questions (CHOOSE ONE to answer):

1. Why did western Europe rise to global power, while China (and Asia) did not “rule the waves”? (Causal analysis).

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. Look over your primary and secondary source collections and make sure that you have all of the documents from class.

IIb. Format overview:

A. Introductory paragraph & thesis statement.

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

C. 2-3 Body paragraphs: key points and use of primary source materials as evidence.

D. Conclusion paragraph.

A. Introductory paragraph & thesis statement.*

1. There are different ways to begin the introductory paragraph, such as starting with a quote from a primary source.

2. But make sure to let the reader know what the issue is – what is at stake.

3. Clearly and directly respond to the question in your thesis statement: state the point you want to make. Make sure your point poses a clear, direct explanation to the original question.

B. Second paragraph: Overview of historiography.

1. Start with a strong topic sentence that explains the bigger picture about the historiography, i.e., the secondary sources,

- e.g., most historians agree that the ethos of slavery was changing, but disagree on the reasons for the change.

2. Summarize important, different schools of thought on those reasons, e.g., Reed, Crosby and Pomeran/Topik’s arguments about why Europe rose and Asia did not.

- Discuss any typical or conventional arguments that scholars have made to answer this question; e.g., Earlier historians attributed the rise of Europe to superior technology, even superior Europeans.

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

- Use this summary to help set up and position your own argument (see examples of set-up approaches below):

- a. Are there any problems or limitation with each historian’s argument?

- b. Do you agree with one or the other?

- c. Do we need to synthesize (combine) their arguments?

- d. Do we need to think about this problem in a different way?

- e. Do the primary sources suggest a different way to think about this question?

- Finally, explain how you plan to set up your research, i.e., the kinds of primary sources you will use to demonstrate and support your argument, and state what you plan to show and argue.

- 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 an older argument, introducing new primary sources, and thereby new interpretations and alternative explanations.

C. Body paragraphs (Usually at least 2-3 paragraphs).

1. Think about and organize 2-3 important points you want to make in building your argument.

2. Build each body paragraph around one of those key points

3. Always start with a strong topic sentence that captures the important idea that you want to communicate and use to build your argument.

4. Think about important examples of evidence to support each point from the primary sources.

5. Use that primary source evidence effectively, i.e., choose a good quote from the source, or a paraphrase of a key idea from the source.

6. Contextualize the primary source evidence a little; introduce the source, what is it, when was it written, who wrote it, who was the speaker or author, and/or what are they talking about? (refer to your SOAPSTONE notes!).

7. Clearly explain what this quote or example shows and how this helps support the point you want to make in this body paragraph.

-          Avoid telling a reader; instead SHOW your reader the primary source evidence to support your point.

-          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.

1. Do not just simply repeat what you stated as your argument in the opening paragraphs; avoid a word-for-word, literal summary (BORING!).

2. Walk your reader through your points and key evidence to arrive at a more interesting conclusion about your results.

3. If possible, raise a new question or a new point that you discovered through your research and argument for future consideration.