Reading Between The Lines (Academic Exam Prep. and Tutorial Guides)

250 Pages·2007·0.85 MB·English

by  LearningExpress Editors

R E A D I N G
B E T W E E N
T H E L I N E S

R E A D I N G
B E T W E E N
T H E L I N E S
Improve Your Scores
on English &
Social Studies Tests
Barbara Dallon
and
Wendy Ratner
N E W Y O R K
Copyright © 2002 LearningExpress,LLC.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions.
Published in the United States by LearningExpress,LLC,New York.
Library ofCongress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Dallon,Barbara.
Reading between the lines :a student's guide to improving scores on English & social studies
tests / by Barbara Dallon and Wendy Ratner.—1st ed.
p.cm.
ISBN 1-57685-415-9 (pbk.:alk.paper)
1.Test-taking skills—Handbooks,manuals,etc. 2.English language—Composition and exer-
cises—Examinations—Study guides. 3.Social sciences—Examinations—Study guides. I.Ratner,
Wendy.II.Title.
LB3060.57 .D35 2002
371.26—dc21
2002003278
Printed in the United States ofAmerica
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
First Edition
ISBN 1-57685-415-9
For more information or to place an order,contact LearningExpress at:
900 Broadway
Suite 604
New York,NY 10003
Or visit us at:
www.learnatest.com
Acknowledgments
We have included many of our primary source documents with the kind permission of
HistoryCentral.com.We highly recommend that you visit this site for accessing primary source documents.
v

Contents
Introduction ix
Chapter 1: DBQs:What Are They? 1
Chapter 2: A Glossary ofDBQ Terms 3
Chapter 3: Parts ofa DBQ 5
Chapter 4: Beginning Strategies 9
Chapter 5: Using Graphic Organizers to Write a Document-Based Essay 63
Chapter 6: How to Write a Document-Based Essay 97
Chapter 7: Revision Strategies 129
Chapter 8: The DBQ Self-Evaluation 151
Chapter 9: Sample Document-Based Essays 155
Chapter 10: DBQ Essay Rubrics 217
Chapter 11: Pitfalls 229
Chapter 12: Recommended Reading List 233
vii

Introduction
DEAR STUDENT,
What do Britney Spears,N’Sync,Michael Jordan,The Rock,Oprah Winfrey,J.K.Rowling,and Bill Gates have
in common? They are able to entertain,compete,write,compose,or invent better than most,and are out-
standing in their different fields.Each has developed an individual method to achieve excellence in what they
do.We do not see the behind-the-scenes hard work these stars have done nor do we see the help and sup-
port given them by their parents,teachers,coaches,consultants,and crews who help them succeed.Although
this book is not intended to turn you into the next professional star,it is designed to help you understand,
practice,and write effective responses to DBQs (Document-Based Questions) so that you may improve your
scores on standardized tests and become a more successful student.It is important to read and review each
chapter in sequence in order to gain the full benefit ofthe teaching strategies given to you.
If you are in middle school or high school,using the strategies in this book can help you prepare for state
exams.Most students in middle schools and high schools will have to answer document-based questions in
their social studies tests and on their state assessment exams.Even teachers of high school advanced place-
ment social studies classes expect their students to write effective answers to document-based questions.
By writing an effective document-based essay,you will demonstrate your ability to be a successful,informa-
tive author,as well as an interpretive,analytical historian.The job of a historian is to study the causes and
effects ofpast events.When you begin to examine and interpret primary source documents,you are acting
as a historian.It is your job to put the pieces of the history puzzle together to come out with an accurate,
informative conclusion.The job ofan author is to accurately inform the reader in an interesting and enlight-
ening manner.By writing your essay,you will inform the reader ofthe historical position you are taking.You
will use the primary source documents to support your position.The more appealing and enlightening the
essay,the higher your score will be on the assessment.
You can use this book to learn how to write great document-based essays.As you learn to master the skills
in this book,you will be better prepared to organize and develop essays that you must write for homework
INTRODUCTION (cid:2) READING BETWEEN THE LINES ix