Revolutionary Monologue: “I Am the Document”

You will write in first person as if you ARE your assigned DBQ document.

Your goal is to demonstrate that you fully understand your document’s message, historical context, sourcing, and its role in the causes of the French Revolution.

Requirements

• First person voice throughout

• Specific historical references (connect your doc to the history)

• Clear structure • No copying from the document word for word—paraphrase to describe. A small phrase is fine to copy if it is significant (think, for example, if What is the Third Estate? were one of the docs, “What is the Third Estate? Everything.” would be fine to quote.

Your writing should show analytical thinking, not just summary.

MAKE SURE YOUR CC IS NOT ON DARK MODE SO YOU CAN SEE THE WORDS OK.

Write a structured response that includes the following:

Historical Context

Explain: What specific historical situation makes me possible?

Write in first person.

Example starter: “I emerged during a time when…”

Be specific about events, conditions, or crises happening in France before 1789.

What I Am About

Explain: What argument or complaint do I make? What problem am I highlighting? What change do I want?

Stay in first person.

Example starter: “I argue that…” “I reveal that…” “I demand that…”

Sourcing (Choose ONE and fully explain it)

Choose ONE of the following and clearly label it in your response:

Historical Context – Why does the timing of my creation matter? Intended Audience – Who am I trying to influence, and why? Purpose – What do I want to happen? Point of View – What bias or perspective do I reveal?

Stay in first person.

Example: “As a member of the Third Estate, my perspective is shaped by…”

Evaluation: What Really Caused the Revolution?

Explain whether you are primarily:

• Enlightenment ideas • Economic concerns • A hybrid of both

Defend your position using evidence from yourself.

Example starter: “I am primarily motivated by…” “Although I reflect some Enlightenment ideas, I am mostly driven by…”