Example of a DBQ for AP World History?

I'm right about to dive into tackling the DBQ section for AP World History but I'm a tad nervous. Does anyone have an example of a well-done DBQ for AP World History I could look at?

Sure, I'd be happy to explain what an excellent AP World History DBQ looks like and break it down for you! Just as a reminder, a DBQ, or Document-Based Question, is an essay question that asks you to interpret primary source documents and use them to answer a specific question.

For example, if your DBQ prompt is something like: "Analyze the responses to the spread of Buddhism in China", the documents can be diverse like a Buddhist scripture, an edict from a Tang emperor, and a text from a Confucian scholar.

Now to write an efficient DBQ, you'll need to:

1. Understand the Prompt: Start with carefully understanding the meaning and scope of the question.

2. Group Documents: Organize the documents into 2–3 groups based on how they relate to the question. Considering our example, one group could potentially be about the embrace of Buddhism, while another group could be about the rejection or resistance to its practice.

3. Analyze the Point of View (POV): For every document, note the author's perspective and biases that may influence the document’s credibility and reliability.

4. Develop a Thesis: Once you've grouped the documents, create a strong, clear thesis that addresses all components of the question. As an example, a thesis could read: "While initially Buddhism was welcomed in China as it aligned with their philosophical outlook, over time it received backlash due to its foreign roots and conflict with Confucian principles."

5. Detailed Essay: Write a detailed essay and ensure to reference specific documents to support your claims. Don't just cite them but explain their context, their purpose, and any biases that affect the document's reliability. Connect the evidence to your thesis directly.

6. Bring in Outside Evidence: To earn full points, you should also bring in an additional historical fact or example, that is not mentioned in the documents, to support your argument. This could be something like, the wave of cultural nationalism which led to the suppression of Buddhism during the Tang Dynasty.

7. Contextualize: In your introduction or conclusion, give some broader context for the time period you're discussing, that situates your argument within broader historical trends or events.

I hope this gives you a gist of how a well-drafted DBQ looks. Remember, practice is key here. You can also consider using some of the resources available on College Board's website on AP World History. That will give you a lot more context and practice materials. Stay calm and good luck!