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← APUSH DBQ Rubric

How Many Documents You Need for the APUSH DBQ (Evidence Points Explained)

2 points

This criterion has two separate points that build on each other: one for using at least 3 documents, and a second (which requires the first) for using at least 4 documents to actually support your argument.

Earns the point

1 point: The essay accurately brings in content from at least 3 documents to address the topic.
2 points (requires the first): The essay uses content from at least 4 documents to SUPPORT an explicit argument - not just summarize or mention them.

Doesn't earn the point

The document content is merely summarized or mentioned without being connected to an argument (this blocks the second point even if 4+ documents are referenced).
Fewer than 3 documents are accurately used at all.

Real example

Point missed

"...The essay only utilizes 3 documents total (Documents A, C, and D), falling short of the required 4 documents."

The first point (3 documents) is earned, but the second point isn't - bringing in content from a fourth document and explicitly linking it to the main argument would earn the full 2 points.

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