AP U.S. History Doing the DBQ: In-class practice Read the
directions at the top of the page and the question. Think about
the question, then read it again. Pay attention to the language
of the question and consider what it requires you to do. BEFORE
READING THE DOCUMENTS, MAKE A LIST OF FACTS YOU KNOW THAT ARE
RELEVANT TO THE QUESTION AND TIME PERIOD. This is your outside
information. You have fifteen minutes to read the documents. As
you read, underline significant passages and make marginal
notes, particularly including facts NOT in the documents but
relevant to them and the question. After reading the documents,
re-read the question and be sure you understand what it asks you
to do. Go back to the question as often as necessary to keep the
central issue or issues in mind. Group the documents into as
many as three groups or according to the criteria posed by the
question. BE AWARE OF CHANGE OVER TIME. This may be an
alternative to the organization suggested by the question. If
you cannot categorize a docume