www.tomrichey.net This is a DBQ that I created to introduce students to the concept of the AP European History DBQ.

1. INTRO TO THE
DBQ
For AP®
European History Students
This fake DBQ is in no way sanctioned or endorsed by the College Board, the AP® program, or any
related parent or subsidiary companies. Its purpose is to provide an introduction to the concept of
the DBQ for first time AP® students.
Other teachers are free to use and alter this document for non-commercial, educational purposes as
long as I receive credit for my work.

2. AP EUROPEAN HISTORY Name: ______________________
GENERIC CORE SCORING RUBRIC
DBQ: _______________________________
BASIC CORE EXPANDED CORE
Student Teacher Student Teacher
1. Provides an appropriate,
explicitly stated, thesis that
directly addresses ALL parts of
the question. Thesis may NOT
simply restate the question.
Expands beyond basic core of 1–6.
The basic score of 6 must be
achieved before a student can earn
expanded core points.
Examples:
• Has a clear, analytical, and
comprehensive thesis.
• Uses all or almost all documents.
• Addresses all parts of the question
thoroughly.
• Uses documents persuasively as
evidence.
• Shows understanding of nuances
in the documents.
• Analyzes point of view or bias in at
least four documents cited in the
essay.
• Analyzes the documents in
additional ways—additional
groupings or other.
• Brings in relevant “outside”
historical content.
2. Discusses a majority of the
documents individually and
specifically.
3. Demonstrates understanding
of the basic meaning of a
majority of the documents
(may misinterpret no more
than one).
4. Supports the thesis with
appropriate interpretations of
a majority of the documents.
5. Analyzes point of view or bias
in at least three documents.
6. Analyzes documents by
explicitly organizing them in at
least three appropriate groups.
Subtotal: Subtotal:
The student will earn one point for successfully
completing each of the above tasks. The student
must earn ALL six points in order to advance to the
Expanded Core. Failure to earn a total of six points in
the Basic Core will leave the student with a score
reflective of the number of tasks which were
successfully accomplished.
TOTAL:
COMMENTS:

3. FAKE European History Free-Response Questions
1. Evaluate the usefulness of the AP European History course in preparing students for
college and adult life.
Historical Background: For years, students have suffered and agonized through Mr.
Richey‘s AP Euro course under the assumption that they are being prepared for college.
Mr. Richey always acts like AP European History is, like, the most important course
EVER. Sometimes, students wonder whether AP Euro is really an essential part of
someone‘s education or if it‘s just some sort of conspiracy to get students to read a bunch
of obsolete texts.
Fake Document 1
Source: Official AP European History Course Description, 2010.
For over 50 years, the College Board‘s Advanced Placement Program (AP) has partnered
with colleges, universities, and high schools to provide students with the opportunity to take
college-level course work and exams while still in high school. Offering more than 30
different subjects, each culminating in a rigorous exam, APprovides motivated and
academically prepared students with the opportunity to earn college credit or placement and
helps them stand out in the college admissions process.
Fake Document 2
Source: Tom Richey, AP Euro Teacher, Opening Lecture, 2009.
AP European History is the most important class you will ever take in your high school career.
Not only is this course going to prepare you for future AP courses and college, but it will also
make you more culturally literate and better able to hold intelligent conversations in educated
circles. You‘ll also find that the skills of point of view (POV) analysis that we‘re learning in
here are going to help you to be a more discerning person who is able to weigh evidence in
several life situations.

4. Fake Document 3
Source: Darrell Jernigan, AP Biology Teacher, 2011
Richey is always saying how important AP Euro is, but that crazy guy doesn‘t have any idea
what he‘s talking about. These ten reptiles I have in my classroom are fifteen times more
important than anything anyone would ever learn in there.
Fake Document 4
Source: Advanced Placement Credit Policy, Clemson University Website
Fake Document 5
Source: T. Cliff Roberts, Principal of Seneca High School, 2012
Mr. Jernigan,
I regret to inform you that AP Biology will not be offered during the 2012-2013 academic year
due to lack of enrollment. We will be replacing it with a second section of AP Euro. Also, the
presence of your snakes, Ferdinand and Isabella, have caused some concern with students and
parents and will need to be removed from your classroom by the end of the day.
Fake Document 6
Source: Grade Report from Emory University for Steven Wright (2010-2011 AP Euro student),
2013.
The Literature of Chaucer A
Chem: Order and Disorder A
Intermediate Macroeconomics A
Intermediate Fiction A

5. Fake Document 7
Source: Acceleration Credit Awarded for AP Scores, Yale University
Chemistry 1 credit for 5 on AP Chemistry test.
Computer Science None.
Economics None.
English 2 credits for 5 on either AP English Lang or AP English Lit tests.
History None.
Fake Document 8
Source: @MissSassy1997, Current AP Euro Student, Tweet, 2013.
Don‘t let @TomRichey talk u in2 signing up 4 AP Euro! Stupidest decision EVER!!!1
#apeuroprobs#toomuchreading#killme #URGH #meh
Fake Document 9
Source: Sam Holleman, 2009-2010 AP Euro Student, E-mail to Mr. Richey, 2013.
Mr. Richey,
I just wanted to thank you for offering AP Euro at Seneca High School. The course prepared me
very well for history and English courses – especially what we learned about writing thesis-
driven, organized essays, with three distinct groups of documents and at least three legitimate
examples of POV. This is especially impressive that I learned all of this even though you had
absolutely no idea what you were doing the first year.
Fake Document 10
Source: Zach Suffern, 2009-2010 AP Euro Student, E-mail to Matthew Suffern, 2013.
My Dear Little Brother,
In response to your question about whether you should sign up for AP Euro, I would answer in
the affirmatory… if you want to DIE of boredom and lack of sleep – that is, if Richey doesn‘t
slay you first with his ego. There‘s not a single one of my computer engineering professors that
has ever said anything about Voltaire or Petrarch or any of those dead people Richey obsesses
over. I wonder if he‘s got some kind of posthumous crush on them, or something.

6. Fake Document 11
Source: Monica Rozman, Current AP Euro Student, E-mail to Mr. Richey, 2013.
Mr. Richey,
AP Euro is AWESOME this year! I love watching your review videos on the YouTube
(mgirlie95 REPRESENT!) and I ‗like‘ and comment on every one of them after watching the
whole thing to increase your engagement in the eyes of YouTube analytics.
Would you mind writing me a recommendation for college? I need it by Friday, if possible. I‘m
so sorry for the short notice!
Fake Document 12
Source: ―Machiavelli: Still Shocking after Five Centuries,‖ National Interest Magazine, 2013.
Of all the writers in the ―realist‖ canon—from Thucydides and Hobbes to Morgenthau and
Mearsheimer—it is Niccolo Machiavelli who retains the greatest capacity to shock. In 1513,
banished from his beloved Florence, Machiavelli drafted his masterwork, The Prince. Five
centuries later his primer on statecraft remains required if unsettling reading for practitioners and
students of politics.
Fake Document 13
Source: Slide from a lecture in HLTH 2030 (Health Care Systems), Clemson University, 2013.