The Document Based QuestionThe Formula

The Question

•Using the documents and your knowledge of world history, compare Han and Roman attitudes toward technology.

Step 1 – Contextualization

•Connect historical phenomena relevant to your argument to broader events and processes • Start your introductory paragraph with 2 -

4 sentences of historical context—what in World History has led up to the point of the prompt?

Step 1 -Contextualization

The Han Dynasty and Roman Empire were two of the largest classical empires and both experienced a period of expansion. Both empires developed technology to help with this expansion both for military and practical purposes such as metallurgy and the water mills.

Step 2 – Thesis Statement

State a relevant thesis that directly addresses all parts of the question If the prompt is about continuity and change you must

address both in your thesis; if it is about causes and effects you must address both; if it asks you to defend, modify, or refute you should write a qualifying thesis

The Thesis Paragraph• During the Classical Era, Han and Roman thinkers had varying

attitudes toward technology. Both Han and Roman officials used technology to benefit the public and both saw the utility in investing in technology. There was, however, a difference in attitude in that the Romans viewed work in technology more negatively than the Chinese who saw it as noble work.

Step 3- Documents• Incorporate analysis of all or all but one of the documents into

your argument• You must explain the historical content of the document &

explain how it supports your thesis• NEVER directly quote a document• DO provide parenthetical citation (doc. 1)

Step 4- Document Analysis and Outside EvidenceSOAP• For each document you must also address at least one of the

following: intended audience, purpose, historical context, and/or point of view

• Historical context is the strongest choice because you also earn credit for using outside evidence

• If you address audience you must explain not only who the audience was, but why

Need to link why document is important in relation to the QUESTION BEING ASKED OR WHAT the source has to do with THE QUESTION BEING

ASKED!

Step 4- Document Analysis and Outside Evidence Need to include at least one to two pieces of

outside information about the person or events surrounding the document

Body Paragraph #1• Topic Sentence for Category #1• State first document supporting Category 1 and author• Provide Evidence from Document• Provide Historical Context, Audience, Purpose, or POV of Document• Why document supports question

• Second document supporting Category 1• Evidence from Document• Provide Historical Context, Audience, Purpose, or POV of Document• Why document supports question

• Third document supporting Category 1• Evidence from Document• Provide Historical Context, Audience, Purpose, or POV of Document• Why document supports question

Document 1

Evidence• Specific information from document • Pull 1-2 specific pieces of information from each document

• The official wants to establish water conservation offices• He discusses how to staff them• He also outlines what needs to be done regarding inspections of

various technologies in the districts

• Try to include 1-3 pieces of OUTSIDE information in your essay

Evidence Specific information from document • Pull 1-2 specific pieces of information from each document• Example from Han/Rome DBQ: Document 1

• The official wants to establish water conservation offices• He discusses how to staff them• He also outlines what needs to be done regarding inspections of various

technologies in the districts Audience-

Local government officials and govt report the document reflects the idea the Han used technology to solve practical problems.

Outside Evidence- China was an agrarian society that relied on irrigation and if water were

scarce it affected their ability to grow food. Han dynasty had a large bureaucracy that help to run their large

empire.

Body Paragraph #1 Both the Han dynasty and Rome saw the benefits of using technology

to help the common people. In Han China, for example, a government official gives specific instruction regarding the oversight of infrastructure in the provinces. He outlined the process for establishing water conservation offices and directed his officials to staff them with qualified individuals. He requested that inspections be made throughout the provinces. These inspection aims to ensure that the technology was working. (doc 1) The instructions were intended for local officials which reflect the Han’s embrace of technology to solve practical problems. The Han Dynasty was an agrarian society which relied on irrigation and if water were scarce it affected their ability to grow food. The Han also had a large bureaucracy that helped run their empire.

Conclusion• Extend the thesis (build on each of the three parts of the

thesis) • Synthesize the topic sentences (pull it all together – what’s the

big picture? Expand on thesis by telling why is this is important. How does it relate to the future or to events going on outside the area? )

Conclusion• Technology was seen by some as a means to improve society by

improving production and making jobs more efficient, and thus the quality of life. However, some view technology as a hindrance to society because it distracted men from intellectual pursuits which were viewed as more noble than working with your hands. Over the course of history civilizations have embraced technology to supply the basic needs of their population and defend themselves against enemy attacks. The importance of technology in development can be seen later in history in Europe by contrasting Eastern and Western Europe. Western Europe in the 1600’s-1700’s was embracing new technology and was at the cusp of a second Agricultural Revolution whereas Eastern Europe was using practices standard in the Middle ages. Eastern Europe’s lack of technology made them more vulnerable to attack.