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Civil War DBQ Documents & Essay Prewriting

Sixth Period: 1:42pm to 2:32pm


Civil War DBQ Documents

In April 1861, the 33 states that made up the United States of America went to war against each other. The war was to last four long, heart-wrenching years and cost the lives of more than 600,000 Northern and Southern soldiers. The reasons for the war have been debated by historians and citizens ever since. This DBQ asks the classic question, "What Caused the Civil War?"

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Civil War DBQ Essay

Now you are ready to start writing. You will be formulating an argument based on the overall DBQ question—make sure you have done your prewriting and understand the question before starting! Your essay will need to include five paragraphs (one introduction, one conclusion, and three body paragraphs) and must be typed in MLA format. Hand written essays will not be accepted and essays not formatted properly will lose points. Once you finish writing, you also need to highlight certain elements, please watching the example video below so you know what to highlight. Below is the rubric for DBQ essays:

  • Spelling & Grammar (20 points)

  • Format & Chicken Leg (5 points)

  • Thesis Statement (5 points)

  • Introduction & Conclusion (5 points)

  • First Body Paragraph (5 points)

  • Second Body Paragraph (5 points)

  • Third Body Paragraph (5 points)

Please note that highlighting is REQUIRED:

In the introductory paragraph:

  • Full thesis statement (yellow)

  • Reason #1 that corresponds with Body Paragraph #1 (blue)

  • Reason #2 that corresponds with Body Paragraph #2 (red)

  • Reason #3 that corresponds with Body Paragraph #3 (green)

In each body paragraph:

  • Baby Thesis where you restate the reason for the paragraph (yellow)

  • Fact/Piece of Evidence #1 with citation (blue)

  • Fact/Piece of Evidence #2 with citation (red)

  • Fact/Piece of Evidence #3 with citation (green)

Google Classroom

DBQ Essay Rubric


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March 7

Civil War DBQ Documents

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March 9

Collaboration Day