Students in the APUSH class write weekly "Document Based Questions" (DBQ's) in order to prepare for the AP exam. The DBQ consists of an essay prompt and around ten to fifteen primary source documents from a given historical time period students need to analyze and use as supporting examples in their essays.

The DBQ is graded using a detailed rubric which includes acceptable inferences for each document as well as lists of outside information students receive points for discussing in their essays. Students are also expected to formulate a strong yet nuanced answer to the prompt (thesis) and sustain an argument throughout the essay. For examples of official rubrics, please visit the College Board's website: apcentral.collegeboard.com...

Although there is no official length requirement, the best essays are typically 4-5 pages long. Students have 45 minutes total in which to write their essays (usually 10-15 minutes to plan and 30-35 minutes to write). 

Below is an example of a DBQ essay on the Gilded Age from the first semester final exam. Other examples can be viewed by clicking on the "DBQ Examples" tab to the left. These examples demonstrate where students should be with their writing half way through the course, and they are expected to improve over the course of second semester culminating with the AP exam in May. 

NCSS.V. Individuals, Groups, and Institutions.

(a). Apply concepts such as role, status, and social class in describing the connections and interactions of individuals, groups, and institutions in society.