Download Alexander the Great DBQ – Sample Writing Introduction

Alexander the Great DBQ – Sample Writing
Introduction (Paragraph 1): Complete these tasks
1. Background Information/Context – Give context by establishing background information. This sets the
reader up for what they will read. Establish time, place, and players – When in time? Where on the
planet? Who is involved?
2. Thesis – Make a claim in response to the prompt
3. Support Topics – Identify your 3 support categories. (What sub-topics are you going to discuss to
provide evidence in support of your claim?)
EXAMPLE – INTRO
In the mid-300s BC Philip II established a strong military and united Macedonia and Greece. Alexander, the son
of Philip II, built on that foundation and created the largest empire in history. In the ancient world, Alexander
was both idolized by many and despised by others, leading historians to debate his true greatness. Alexander of
Macedonia (deserves/does not deserve) the label “Great” because _____, _____, and _____.
Body (Paragraphs 2-4: one paragraph for each supporting sub-topic)
1. Topic Sentence – Transition and introduce the support topic you’ll be discussing in this paragraph.
(Note: NEVER write “In this paragraph I will tell you about…” Just get to it!
2. Evidence – Interpret the documents in your own words (NEVER quote the documents directly) and use
them as evidence to support your claim. (Never write, “Document 1 says…Document 2 says…This
document supports my thesis because…” Be more complex and sophisticated in your writing!
3. Citation – After using a document for support, cite it at the end of the sentence like this (Doc. 1).
4. Connection/Impact – Make an explicit (direct/specific; not implied) connection back to the original
question and EXPLAIN how the documents support your thesis.
EXAMPLE – BODY
Alexander of Macedonia was a brilliant military strategist. One example of this brilliance was at the Battle of
Hydaspes when Alexander’s forces were heavily outnumbered by Porus, the local Indian king. Porus planned to
use war elephants as a special weapon to destroy the Macedonian phalanx. Alexander showed his creativity on
the battlefield by repeatedly making false charges, creating a diversion to distract Porus and take away the
advantage of the war elephants. Eventually, Porus no longer reacted to these maneuvers and Alexander was able
to flank the superior enemy forces leading to victory and access into India (Doc. 2). Another example of
Alexander’s military greatness is…
Conclusion (Paragraph 5)
1. Thesis – Re-state your thesis in a different way (1 sentence).
2. Summary – Wrap-up the supporting points you made above by tying them back to the argument you
made in your thesis (1-2 sentences).
3. Synthesis – Explain the significance of this topic in the bigger picture of World History.
CONCLUSION – EXAMPLE
When examining the achievements of Alexander of Macedonia, he truly was great in _____, _____, and
_____. Alexander’s greatness was so legendary that later generals such as Julius Caesar of Rome and Napoleon
Bonaparte of France wanted to emulate his style. While some may deny the greatness of his methods, no one
can deny the impact he had on history, spreading the culture that would become known as Western Civilication
throughout the world. Not many in history have deserved the title, but the conqueror from Macedonia earned
the right to be called Alexander the Great.