What's the proper format for an AP World History DBQ?

I'm not sure I'm structuring my DBQs for AP World correctly. Does anyone know the right format or have any tips that might make this easier?

The Document-Based Question (DBQ) for AP World History can certainly seem daunting at first, but once you understand its structure, it becomes much more manageable. Let's break it down into a few key pointers:

1. Introduction and Thesis Statement: Start your essay with a brief introduction that provides an overview of the topic at hand. Then, state your thesis, which should answer the prompt and set the direction for your essay. It should contain specific points which you intent to elaborate on in your essay.

2. Document Analysis: Now, you transition into discussing the documents. You should include the author's point of view, the document's audience, the purpose of the document, and the context in which it was written. Don’t just summarize the documents; instead, explain how they support your argument. It's also crucial to relate the documents to each other to weave a cohesive argument.

3. Using All Documents: Use all or all but one of the documents in your essay. Try to fit the documents into your argument where they seem most appropriate, and don’t forget to cite the documents as you use them.

4. Outside Evidence: AP graders love to see you build upon the documents by bringing in outside historical knowledge. Use this to further support your argument.

5. Sourcing: When writing about the documents themselves, make sure to consider the authors' perspective and biases, as well as the intended audience and the documents' overall purpose. This is often called "sourcing" your documents.

6. Synthesis: In your conclusion, restate your thesis in different words and add a synthesis point. This might be drawing a further historical connection or stating how your argument applies to a different historical time period or geographic area.

Remember, writing a DBQ is a skill, and like all skills, it improves with practice. And one more tip: always take time to plan your essay before you start writing. It can really help you have a clear roadmap for your argument!