Effective answers to essay questions depend in part upon a clear understanding (and execution) of the meanings of important directive words. These are words that indicate the way in which the material is to be presented. For example, if you only describe when you are asked to compare, or if you merely list causes when you have been asked to evaluate them, your responses will be less than satisfactory. An essay can only begin to be correct if it answers directly the question that is asked. The following list will help you with the meanings and applications of key terms:

1. Analyze: determine their component parts; examine their nature and relationship. "Analyze the major social and technological changes that took place in European warfare between 1789 and 1871."
2. Assess/Evaluate: judge the value or character of something; appraise; evaluate the positive points and the negative ones; give and opinion regarding the value of; discuss the advantages and disadvantages of. "’Luther was both a revolutionary and a conservative.’ Evaluate this statement with respect to Luther’s responses to the political and social questions of his day."
3. Compare: examine for the purpose of noting similarities and differences. "Compare the rise to power of fascism in Italy and in Germany."
4. Contrast: examine in order to show dissimilarities or points of difference. "Contrast the ways in which European skilled artisans of the mid-eighteenth century and European factory workers of the late nineteenth century differed in their work behavior and in their attitudes toward work."
5. Describe: give an account of; tell about; give a word picture of. "Describe the steps taken between 1832 and 1918 to extend the suffrage in England. What groups and movements contributed to the extension of the vote?"
6. Discuss: talk over; write about; consider or examine by argument or from various points of view; debate; present the different sides of. "Discuss the extent to which nineteenth-century Romanticism was or was not a conservative cultural and intellectual movement."
7. Explain: make clear or plain; make clear the causes or reasons for; make known in detail; tell the meaning of. "Explain how economic, political, and religious factors promoted European explorations from about 1450 to about 1525."

Follow these steps in approaching a DBQ:

1. Identify the task(s) within the question.
2. Read the documents – in the order given… make pertinent notes relating to the tasks
3. Write the essay

1. Use and analyze the information from the documents – DO NOT summarize them.
2. Have a clear thesis within a succinct introduction (i.e. what will you prove?).
3. Have one paragraph per task or idea using evidence from the documents.
4. DO NOT present the documents’ information in the order given, but rather group the information together in ideas or categories as dictated by the tasks. Also, combine and/or juxtapose the documents.
5. Look for CHANGE OVER TIME.
6. Use as many documents as possible.
7. Include any pertinent, optional outside information that relates to and aids the argument.
8. Make reference to at least one POINT OF VIEW (motivation, bias) of a document’s source.
9. Include and note contradictions and/or ambiguities.
10. ANSWER THE QUESTION

Points to consider and remember:

• A DBQ is the equivalent of a 45 – minute research paper with the research having been done for you. Thus, you USE the researched evidence to PROVE an argument.
• Imagine the process as being that of a trial. You, as a lawyer, must use evidence (the documents) to prove a point and to win your case.

1. The essay has an adequate introduction.

1. Terms are defined
2. Time frame is noted
3. Historical context is present
4. Thesis provides and answer to the question
5. The thesis divides into categories
6. Introduction is logically developed and is understandable

1. The requirement of inductive reasoning is met.

1. The evidence is appropriate

1. Each paragraph is linked to the thesis and follows the order of the thesis and/or the introduction
2. Historical context is included in the discussion of the documents

When writing essays you can convey your message more forcefully if you use more powerful words. The first set of verbs demonstrates conviction and purpose on part of the writer. The second and third sets deal with the most common form of essay – compare/contrast. These words should become a standard part of your essay writing skills by the time you take the exam in May.

Descriptive Verbs – Asserts, Compliments, Criticizes, Demonstrates, Embraces, Exemplifies, Illustrates, Indicates, Portrays, Reflects, Reveals, Signifies, Strengthens, Symbolizes, Undermines

Compare – Agree, Also, Both/All, In addition, In common, In comparison, Shares the view, Similarly, Too

Contrast – Conversely, Differently, Disagree, However, In contrast, None, On the other hand, Unlike

The use of transitional phrases help to clarify meaning and guide the reader from point to point throughout the essay. Additionally, they provide the appearance of organization. The following are some helpful phrases:

To clarify a sequence of events: first, second, third, next, finally, last

To show a similar relationship: similarly, in like manner, likewise

To point out dissimilarity: in opposition to, in contrast to, on the other hand

To emphasize a point: indeed, in fact, surely, certainly

To show, or point out, a result: consequently, as a result, therefore, hence

To summarize a position: in summation, finally, in conclusion, in short

To illustrate a point: for example, by way of illustration, for instance

To record time: now, gradually, later, eventually, immediately, at once, at this point, next, afterward, soon, then

Note how transitional phrases affect the following paragraphs.

Lenin modified Marxism in several ways. He posited a tightly organized cadre of committed revolutionaries in place of the proletariat. He telescoped the agrarian and industrial revolutions so that they could both take place in a limited time frame. With the NEP he retreated on communism when expediency required that he make a partial regression. He was able to adapt Marxism to the unique conditions facing him in Russia. The November 1917 revolution and its success could not have been achieved without his revision.

Lenin modified Marxism in several ways. First, he posited a tightly organized cadre of committed revolutionaries in place of the proletariat. Second, he telescoped the agrarian and industrial revolutions to that they could both take place in a limited time frame. Lastly, with the NEP he retreated on communism when expediency required that he make a partial regression. In short, he was able to adapt Marxism to the unique conditions facing him in Russia. Without such adaptations, the November 1917 revolution and its success could not have been achieved.

1. Understanding the structure of the text
2. Previewing the text
3. Looking for levels of meaning
4. Asking questions and predicting
5. Summarizing, evaluating, looking for the main idea