DBQ question, i dont know how to do it?

Question

okay, how long is a DBQ question have to be?

For example, the teacher gave me 7 Documents, and i am supposed to use those documents and analyze the role of the physical environment in the development of early civilizations in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley.

Now the question is, do i answer EACH document seperately, or do these documents help me in explaining the role of the physical environment?

I am not asking you to do my homework, i am just asking how to do it.

Answer 1

The thing about DBQs is that most of the answer is in the passage. If there's a question that does not relate to your passage in any way, then that question's not for that passage. If a question has information that can be found in one passage and also another, then that probably means you're supposed to use all of them to help. If all the questions relate to one passage (they can be different), then you're probably supposed to answer them alone.

I know my explanations are confusing. Don't blame me.

Answer 2

It sounds like that's an AP US History question, and if it is, then it should be (at least) a 5 paragraph essay, and you have to use each of those documents somewhere in the essay to help you explain your answer (don't forget to cite them) but YOU HAVE to bring in outside facts as well, all while still answering the question (analyze the role....)  

Answer 3

Umm, this sounds like an AP World question.  I never took the class but did take APUSH so I do have some knowledge about DBQs.  

No, you should not answer each document separately but try to use as many as you can as supporting evidence for the claims (probably 2-3) you make in how the physical environment influenced development.  Also, it's a good idea to use as much outside information as you can.