The AP European History Document-Based Question (DBQ) rubric is a set of guidelines that is used to grade the DBQ portion of the AP European History exam. The DBQ is a type of essay that requires students to analyze and synthesize a set of primary and secondary sources in order to answer a specific historical question. The DBQ rubric is designed to assess a student's ability to analyze and interpret historical sources, as well as their ability to construct a well-written and well-supported argument.
The DBQ rubric is divided into several categories, each of which is evaluated separately. The first category is thesis, which is the main argument or point that a student is trying to make in their essay. A strong thesis should be specific, relevant, and clearly stated. It should also be supported by the evidence presented in the essay.
The second category is point of view, which refers to the perspective or bias of the sources being used. Students are expected to consider the point of view of each source and to consider how it may have influenced the content of the source.
The third category is the use of evidence, which refers to the quality and relevance of the sources used to support the argument. Students should use a variety of sources, including primary and secondary sources, and should analyze and interpret these sources in order to support their argument.
The fourth category is organization, which refers to the structure and coherence of the essay. A well-organized essay should have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion, with each paragraph focused on a specific point and supporting evidence.
The fifth category is style, which refers to the clarity and effectiveness of the writing. A strong essay will have clear and concise writing, with proper grammar and syntax. It should also use appropriate historical vocabulary and tone.
Finally, the sixth category is mechanics, which refers to the technical aspects of the writing, such as spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.
Overall, the AP European History DBQ rubric is a comprehensive tool that is used to assess a student's ability to analyze and interpret historical sources, construct a well-supported argument, and write clearly and effectively. It is an important part of the AP European History exam and is used to determine a student's readiness for college-level coursework in history.