earning the thesis point on the leq and dbq

Earning the Thesis Pointon the LEQ and DBQ

The Thesis Point: Responds to the prompt with a historically defensible thesis/claim

that establishes a line of reasoning. To earn this point, the thesis

must make a claim that responds to the prompt, rather than

merely restating or rephrasing the prompt. The thesis must

consist of one or more sentences located in one place, either in

the introduction or the conclusion.

As noted on the Exam:

● Respond to the prompt with a historically defensible thesis

or claim that establishes a line of reasoning.

Thesis Objectives:

HTS-6A TSWBAT make a historically defensible claim.

Analyze the Prompt:To develop an evaluative thesis it is important that you first

analyze the prompt for the TASK and TERMS of the prompt:

1] Identify the VERB. What is the prompt asking you to do?

This is the TASK. The thesis must respond to the task.

2] Identify the FILTERS. What words in the prompt

focus/limit your argument? These are the TERMS.

Analyze the Prompt:All LEQ prompts should begin with the words:

Develop an argument that evaluates how…

All DBQ prompts should begin with the words:

Evaluate the extent to which…

Analyze the Prompt:Identify the TASK for the following LEQ prompt:

Develop an argument that evaluates how the responses to

Western penetration of the economy in China and Japan differed

in the period from 1750CE to 1900CE.

Analyze the Prompt:




TASK: Evaluate how responses DIFFERED

Analyze the Prompt:Identify the TERMS for the following LEQ prompt:




Analyze the Prompt:




TERMS: Responses - Penetration of the Economy

China and Japan - 1750 to1900

Analyze the Prompt:Identify the TASK for the following DBQ prompt:

Evaluate the extent to which the spread of Buddhism

transformed Chinese society between 350 C.E. and 900 C.E.

Analyze the Prompt:



TASK: Evaluate how Buddhism TRANSFORMED

Analyze the Prompt:Identify the TERMS for the following DBQ prompt:



Analyze the Prompt:



TERMS: Spread-Buddhism-China -Society-350CE to 900CE

Plan your Introductory Paragraph:The B-A-R method of developing your first paragraph is designed

to help you not only earn the thesis point, but earn the

contextualization point as well. This method will also set up your

topic sentences for the body of your essay.

The B-A-R Method:

B BackgroundEstablish the historical situation that exists in the time

leading up to the time period of your argument. What

historical developments or processes have been going on

that sets the context for your thesis.

The B-A-R Method:

A ArgumentState your thesis in 1-2 well-planned sentences. Your

thesis must make an argument and directly respond to the

task of the prompt.

The B-A-R Method:

R RoadmapFollow your thesis with a reference to your 2-3 topic

sentences that set up the body of your essay. Your topic

sentences must contribute to your argument and remain

within the limits set by the terms established in the prompt.

Specific evidence should not be in this introductory

paragraph.

Workshop: Dyad Activity

Read the following prompt. With your dyad partner, name

the TASK and TERMS of the prompt.

Develop an argument that evaluates how continuities

and changes existed in labor systems in Latin

America and the Caribbean within the time period

1450-1900.

Read the following thesis. With your dyad partner, identify whether this thesis

would earn the thesis point.

A] The time period of 1450-1900 involved the Columbian Exchange and

an entirely new trade network that developed equally new labor methods.

With concern to the region predominantly of Latin America, labor systems

remained fairly constant but changed with industry and migrations.



B] In the period from 1450-1900 labor in Latin America and the Caribbean

changes as slaves were freed and indentured servants arrived to take

their place but working conditions remained poor for both slaves and

indentured servants. This can be evaluated by analyzing the colonial

history of Britain, France, and Spain in the region.



C] Beginning in 1450, European exploration led to the linkage of the old

and new worlds and the development of coercive labor systems. These

systems began with utilizing Amerindians as the major sources of labor,

but this shifted to African slaves due to demographic disaster of the

indigenous people due to new diseases introduced. However, throughout

the period labor systems were used to benefit the European country that

colonized them economically. The switch from Amerindian to African

labor and rising profit from these colonies can be analyzed by looking at

both the Spanish and Portuguese colonies in the New World.



D] During the period of 1450-1900 in Latin America and the Caribbean,

labor systems stayed the same, but eventually would change.



E] Latin America began with a great need of labor systems in 1450. The

use of native Americans as a labor source was used. As time went closer

to the 1900’s, the use of African slaves was permitted.



F] The labor systems of Latin America and the Caribbean between 1450-

1900 stayed the same in that there were always a small group of wealthy

elites in control of the masses, but it changed with the abolition of slavery

forcing new forms of coerced labor to emerge. The continuities are most

evident in the examination of the British and French Caribbean

colonies and changes are evident in the Spanish and Portuguese

colonies of Latin America.

A] NO No specific change or continuity

B] YES Change: slaves to indentured servants

Continuity: poor working conditions

C] YES Change: shift from Amerindians to Africans

Continuity: purpose of coerced labor is to benefit Europe

D] NO No specific change or continuity

E] NO Nothing connects the continuity and the change is not clearly shown

F] YES Change: abolition of slavery

Continuity: power of the elites

Earning the Thesis Pointon the LEQ and DBQ

earning the thesis point on the leq and dbq

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