Ap World History Dbq Scoring Rubric Guide

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The Advanced Placement (AP) World History course is a rigorous, college-level class that requires students to analyze and interpret historical events and trends on a global scale. One of the key assessments in the course is the Document-Based Question (DBQ), which requires students to analyze and synthesize information from a variety of primary and secondary sources to develop a well-supported argument.

The AP World History DBQ Scoring Rubric Guide is designed to help students and teachers understand the criteria by which DBQs are scored. Here is a breakdown of the rubric:

Understanding the Rubric

The AP World History DBQ Scoring Rubric assesses student performance in three main areas:

• Thesis (1 point): The thesis statement is the foundation of the essay, and it should clearly articulate the student's argument and address all parts of the question.
• Contextualization (1 point): Contextualization refers to the student's ability to situate the topic within the broader historical context. This includes identifying relevant historical trends, events, and cultural practices.
• Evidence (3 points): Evidence refers to the student's use of historical documents and other primary and secondary sources to support their argument. This includes the analysis and interpretation of the sources, as well as the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources.
• Analysis (3 points): Analysis refers to the student's ability to think critically and analytically about the topic. This includes identifying patterns and relationships, developing well-supported arguments, and addressing potential counterarguments.
• Synthesis (2 points): Synthesis refers to the student's ability to combine disparate pieces of information to form a coherent whole. This includes the ability to integrate multiple sources and perspectives to develop a nuanced argument.

Breaking Down the Rubric

Here is a more detailed breakdown of each section of the rubric:

Thesis

• A strong thesis statement should clearly articulate the student's argument and address all parts of the question.
• The thesis should be specific, focused, and arguable.
• A weak thesis statement may be vague, unfocused, or lacking in argumentation.

Contextualization

• A strong contextualization will situate the topic within the broader historical context.
• This includes identifying relevant historical trends, events, and cultural practices.
• A weak contextualization may fail to provide adequate background information or may misunderstand the historical context.

Evidence

• A strong evidence score will demonstrate the student's ability to analyze and interpret historical documents and other primary and secondary sources.
• This includes the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources.
• A weak evidence score may fail to adequately support the argument or may misinterpret the sources.

Analysis

• A strong analysis score will demonstrate the student's ability to think critically and analytically about the topic.
• This includes identifying patterns and relationships, developing well-supported arguments, and addressing potential counterarguments.
• A weak analysis score may fail to adequately address the question or may lack depth and nuance.

Synthesis

• A strong synthesis score will demonstrate the student's ability to combine disparate pieces of information to form a coherent whole.
• This includes the ability to integrate multiple sources and perspectives to develop a nuanced argument.
• A weak synthesis score may fail to adequately integrate the sources or may lack coherence.

Gallery of AP World History DBQ Examples