All AP History classes require a Document Based Essay Question (DBQ). AP US History (APUSH), AP World History (WHAP), and AP European History (APEH) require that students analyze documents and formulate an essay around a prompt. The DBQ is worth 25% of the AP exam. The DBQ requires students to master a specific set of skills and understand how to formulate an argument to gain as many points as possible. At times, this can be challenging for students.
I have taught AP US History and AP European History as well as US History for a local college for many years. In addition, I have years of experience rating and grading DBQs. I understand how to break the DBQ down into a simple formula that is easy for students to understand and replicate when they sit down to take their own AP History exam. I teach students how to maximize their points.
In each class we will address a different aspect of the DBQ. Eventually, students will be able to use these classes to formulate a complete DBQ essay using the step-by-step formula we cover in class. Topics that will be covered include:

•	Analyzing Documents
•	Introduction Paragraph
        o	Context
        o	Counter Argument
        o	Thesis
•	Body Paragraphs
      o	Document Analysis
                 	Describing
                 	Supporting
                 	Sourcing
       o	Outside Information
       o	Evidence
        o	Complexity
•	Conclusion

Below is a tentative schedule of what to expect in each class. We may move faster or slower depending on the needs of students, but we will cover all topics before the end of the course.

Class 1: What is a DBQ and How the DBQ is Scored
Class 2: Intro Paragraph and HIPPing Documents (Document Analysis)
Class 3: HIPPing Documents and Earning Outside Evidence, Document Evidence, and Complexity Points
Class 4: Earning Outside Evidence, Document Evidence, and Complexity Points
Class 5: Writing a full DBQ