397026 Rule Book Web

N H DN H D N HN D
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N H D N H DN H
CoNtest Rule Book ReviseD 2008

NHD

Updated Website Rules

NHD Rule Book

National History Day programs are open to all students and

teachers without regard to race, sex, religion, physical abilities,

economic status, or sexual orientation. National History Day

does not discriminate against or limit participation by

physically challenged students. National History Day staff and

state coordinators will make every effort to accommodate

students with special needs.

2 CONTEST RULE BOOK

taBle of CoNteNts

I. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
A. Theme 6
B. Topic 6
C. Rewards for Participation 6
D. Divisions 6
E. Contest Categories 6
F. Important Notices for Contestants 7
G. Program Materials 7
II. RULES FOR ALL CATEGORIES
A. General Rules for all Categories 8
B. Required Written Material for all Entries 9
C. Contest Participation 11
III. INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY RULES
A. Paper 13
B. Exhibit 15
C. Performance 17
D. Documentary 19
E. Web Site 21
IV. HOW WILL YOUR ENTRY BE JUDGED?
A. Benefits of the Evaluation Process 22
B. Who are the Judges? 22
C. How Does the Evaluation Process Work? 22
D. Consensus Judging 22
E. The Subjective Nature of Judging 22
F. The Decision of the Judges is Final 23
G. Evaluation Criteria 23
i. Historical Quality 23
ii. Relation to Theme 23
iii. Clarity of Presentation 24
H. Rule Compliance 24
I. Sample Judge’s Evaluation 24
V. CATEGORY CHECKLIST 25
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 27

NATIONAL HISTORY DAY 3

wHat is NatioNal HistoRy Day?

National History Day (NHD) is not just one Definitions
day, but a yearlong program that makes Historical Context: The intellectual, physical,
history come alive every day. NHD is an social, and cultural setting in which events
exciting way to study history and learn about take place.
issues, ideas, people, and events that interest
you. The program lets you express what you Historical Perspective: Understanding a
have learned through a creative and original topic’s development over time and its
performance, documentary, paper, web site influence in history.
or three-dimensional exhibit. Through NHD
Plagiarism: Using the work or ideas of others
you will learn the skills and techniques of the
in ways that give the impression that these are
historian and discover new insights. At the
your own (e.g. copying information word-for-
competitions you will have the opportunity to
word without using quotations and footnotes,
meet students from other schools, exchange
paraphrasing an author’s ideas, or using
ideas, and demonstrate the results of your
visuals or music without giving proper credit).
work. Your success in researching and
producing an NHD entry may even take you Primary Source: The most basic definition
to the national contest held each June at the of a primary source is that which is written
University of Maryland at College Park. or produced in the time period students
are investigating. Primary sources are
Please Read This!
materials directly related to a topic by time or
Before you begin work on your entry, you, your
participation. These materials include letters,
teacher, and your parents should carefully read
speeches, diaries, newspaper articles from
this booklet. This guidebook contains rules
the time, oral history interviews, documents,
that you must follow to compete in any level
photographs, artifacts, or anything else that
of the National History Day competition. More
provides first-hand accounts about a person
information on topics, sources, and deadlines
or event. This definition also applies to primary
are available from your district and state NHD
sources found on the Internet. A letter written
coordinators. This rule book was published in
by President Lincoln in 1862 is a primary
2008 and will be updated periodically. Always
source for a student researching the Civil
contact your district or state coordinator to
War era. A newspaper article about the Battle
learn if any rules have been revised since
of Gettysburg written by a contemporary in
publication of this rule book. An on-line version
July 1863 would be a primary source; but an
of this book is available on the NHD web site
article about the battle written in June 2001
at www.nhd.org.
probably was not written by an eyewitness or
participant and would not be a primary source.
The memories of a person who took part in the

4 CONTEST RULE BOOK

battle also can serve as a primary source. He Secondary Source: Secondary sources are
or she was an eyewitness to and a participant usually published books or articles by authors
in this historical event at the time. However, who were not eyewitnesses or participants
an interview with an expert (a professor of in the historical event or period and who
Civil War history, for example) is not a primary base their interpretation on primary sources,
source UNLESS that expert actually lived research, and study. These sources provide
through and has first-hand knowledge of the context for a historical event. For example,
events being described (highly unlikely for a high school history textbooks and other history
Civil War historian!). books about a particular topic are secondary
sources. So are biographies, newspaper
NOTE: Primary materials, such as quotes from historical
figures and photographs of historical events, can be retrospectives, and reference books such as
found in secondary sources and used effectively in encyclopedias. This definition also applies to
History Day projects. However, these are not considered
primary sources. Check out the “Research Roadmap” secondary sources found on the Internet.
on the NHD web site at www.nhd.org for additional
help on primary sources.


i. pRogRam oveRview

A. THEME C. REWARDS FOR PARTICIPATION
Each year a broad theme is selected for the At each level of competition, outstanding
National History Day contest. You may select a achievement may be recognized through
topic on any aspect of local, regional, national, certificates, medals, trophies, scholarships
or world history. Regardless of the topic or monetary awards. A number of special
chosen, your presentation of your research and prizes may be given at the regional, state,
conclusions must clearly relate to the annual or national level. The most important rewards
theme. Be careful to limit the scope of your are the skills and new knowledge that you
topic to make the research and interpretation of will acquire as you move through the National
your topic manageable. In other words, narrow History Day program.
your topic to focus on an issue that can be
D. DIVISIONS
explained and interpreted within the category
limits of size and time. The National History Day competition has two
divisions based on school grade:
B. TOPIC • Junior Division - grades 6, 7, and 8
Effective National History Day entries not only • Senior Division - grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.
describe an event or a development, they also
analyze it and place it in its historical context. Entries in each division are judged separately
Ask yourself the following questions about at all levels of competition.
your topic: NOTE: Some states sponsor participation in 4th and
5th grades at the state level. Check with your state
• How is my topic important?
coordinator for more information.
• How was my topic significant in history in
relation to the National History Day theme? NOTE: Students in non-graded schools must check with
the National History Day office to determine in which
• How did my topic develop over time? division they should register for the competition.
• How did my topic influence history?
• How did the events and atmosphere E. CONTEST CATEGORIES
(social, economic, political, and cultural You may enter one of eight categories:
aspects) of my topic’s time period • paper (individual only)
influence my topic in history? • individual exhibit
• group exhibit
NOTE: You should ask questions about the topic’s
development over time and its impact in history. • individual performance
Your answers to such questions will help you draw • group performance
conclusions about your topic’s significance in history.
• individual documentary
• group documentary
• web site (individual and group combined)

6 CONTEST RULE BOOK

Each category in each division is judged sponsors will not be responsible for the loss of
separately. Groups may include 2 to 5 or damage to exhibits, equipment, or personal
students. Group participants do not have to belongings during the program activities.
be in the same grade to compete together, but
G. PROGRAM MATERIALS
they must be in the same division.
Each year program materials such as topic
NOTE: Choose a category in which you can make
suggestions, videos, and bibliographies are
the best use of your own special abilities, talents,
and interests. Be careful to choose the most suitable available upon request from National History
category in which to present your research and Day to help teachers and students participate
conclusions and take into consideration the availability
of equipment and resources.
in the NHD program. The materials may be
duplicated for classroom use. A glossary
F. IMPORTANT NOTICES FOR of program materials is available on the
CONTESTANTS NHD web site at www.nhd.org. For further
All contests are held in public areas, and you information or to order materials, contact your
are solely responsible for the security and district or state coordinator or the National
safety of your own equipment and artifacts. History Day office.
National History Day program officials and


ii. Rules foR all CategoRies

A. GENERAL RULES FOR ALL and creation of your entry. You may receive
CATEGORIES help and advice from teachers and parents on
the mechanical aspects of creating your entry:
Rule 1: Annual Theme
1. You may have help typing your paper and
Your entry must be clearly related to the
other written materials.
annual theme and explain your topic’s
2. You may seek guidance from your teachers
significance in history.
as you research and analyze your material,
Rule 2: Contest Participation but your conclusions must be your own.
You may participate in the research, 3. You may have photographs and slides
preparation, and presentation of only one commercially developed.
entry each year. 4. You may have reasonable help cutting out
NOTE: Do not share research with other students your exhibit backboard or performance
unless you are members of the same group and props (e.g., a parent uses a cutting tool to
creating one entry together. It is not acceptable to
cut the board that you designed).
have a common pool of research from which several
entries are created. NOTE: Objects created by others specifically for use in
your entry violate this rule. For example, a parent takes
Rule 3: Individual or Group Entries photographs or an artist draws the backdrop for your
A paper, individual exhibit, individual exhibit or performance. You may receive reasonable
help in carrying and placing props and exhibits.
performance, individual web site or individual
documentary must be the work of only one Rule 6: Contest Day Set-up
student. A group exhibit, group performance, You are responsible for setting up your own
group web site or group documentary must be exhibits, equipment, or props at the contest.
the work of 2 to 5 students. All students in a You may have reasonable help carrying them,
group entry must be involved in the research but set-up must be completed by you (and
and interpretation of the group’s topic. your group members if applicable) alone.

Rule 4: Development Requirements Rule 7: Supplying Equipment
Entries submitted for competition must be You are responsible for supplying all props
researched and developed during the current and equipment at each level of competition.
contest year that begins following the national All entries should be constructed keeping
contest each June. Revising or reusing an entry transportation, set-up time, size and weight
from a previous year—whether your own or in mind (e.g., foam core v. solid oak for
another student’s—is unacceptable and will an exhibit or folding table v. antique desk
result in disqualification. for a performance). Projection screens for
documentaries and performances may be
Rule 5: Construction of Entry
provided if requested. Check with your contest
You are responsible for the research, design,

8 CONTEST RULE BOOK

coordinator about availability of equipment. Rule 11: Title
VCRs and DVD players are available at the Your entry must have a title that is clearly
national contest for the documentary category visible on all written materials.
only. Students must provide their own
computers and software. Pianos and Internet B. REqUIRED WRITTEN
access are not provided. MATERIAL FOR ALL
ENTRIES
NOTE: Be prepared: bring extension cords if needed
and check with your contest coordinators about the Rule 12: Written Material
availability of equipment at all contest levels.
Entries in all categories except historical papers
Rule 8: Discussion with Judges must include three copies of the following
You should be prepared to answer judges’ written material in the following order:
questions about the content and development 1. A title page as described in Rule 13.
of your entry, but you may not give a formal, 2. A process paper as described in Rule 14
prepared introduction, narration, or conclusion. (process papers are not part of historical
Let the judges’ questions guide the interview. paper entries)
Ultimately, your entry should be able to stand 3. An annotated bibliography as described
on its own without any additional comments in Rule 15. These materials must be typed
from you. or neatly printed on plain white paper and
NOTE: You should be prepared to explain the design, stapled together in the top left corner. Do
research, and creation of your entry if questioned by not enclose them in a cover or binder.
the judges. Judges need to know that your entry is the
result of your own work. Rule 13: Title Page
Rule 9: Costumes A title page is required as the first page of
You are not permitted to wear costumes that written material in every category. Your title
are related to the focus of your entry during page must include only the title of your entry,
judging, except in the performance category. your name(s) and the contest division and
category in which
Rule 10: Prohibited Materials you are entered.
TITLE

Items potentially dangerous in any way—such
NOTE: The title page
as weapons, firearms, animals, organisms, must not include any STUDENT(S) NAME(S)
DIVISION
plants, etc.—are strictly prohibited. Such items other information CATEGORY
(pictures, graphics,
will be confiscated by security personnel or borders, school name, (e.g. Individual/Group,
contest officials. Replicas of such items that Exhibit, Documentary,
or grade) except for that
Performance, Web site)
are obviously not real are permissible. Please described in this rule.

contact your teacher and contest coordinator
to confirm guidelines before bringing the
replica to a contest.

Rule 14: Process Paper (3) explain how you selected your presentation
A process paper is a description of no more category and created your project
than 500 words explaining how you conducted (4) explain how your project relates to the
your research and created and developed your NHD theme
entry. All categories except historical paper
Go to www.nhd.org and in the Contest section
must include a process paper with their entry.
click on Creating a Process Paper to view
The process paper should include the following
sample process papers.
four sections:
(1) explain how you chose your topic Rule 15: Annotated Bibliography
(2) explain how you conducted your research An annotated bibliography is required for all
categories. It should contain all sources that

10 CONTEST RULE BOOK

provided usable information or new perspectives (1) Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of
in preparing your entry. You will look at many Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.
more sources than you actually use. You should (2) Joseph Gibaldi, MLA Handbook for Writers
list only those sources that contributed to the of Research Papers, 5th Edition.
development of your entry. Sources of visual
materials and oral interviews must be included. Regardless of which manual you use, the style
The annotations for each source must explain must be consistent throughout the paper.
how you used the source and how it helped you Rule 18: Plagiarism
understand your topic. Annotations of web sites
You must acknowledge in your annotated
should include a description of who sponsors
bibliography all sources used in your entry.
the site. For example:
Failure to credit sources is plagiarism and will
Bates, Daisy. The Long Shadow of Little Rock.
result in disqualification.
New York: David McKay Co. Inc., 1962.
Daisy Bates was the president of the C. CONTEST PARTICIPATION
Arkansas NAACP and the one who met and
Rule 19: Entry Procedure
listened to the students each day. This first
At each contest level you must register (either
hand account was very important to my
paper because it made me more aware of online or by submitting paper entry forms;
the feelings of the people involved. check with your contest coordinator for the
format used at your local and state contests),
NOTE: Oral history transcripts, correspondence between
you and experts, questionnaires, and other primary and meet specific deadlines and procedures
or secondary materials used as sources for your entry established by your contest coordinator.
should be cited in your bibliography but not included
as attachments to your bibliography. Rule 20: Entries to National
Competition
Rule 16: The Separation of Primary
and Secondary Sources Each state is limited to no more than two
entries per contest category in the national
You are required to separate your bibliography
contest. Ties at state contests will be resolved
into primary and secondary sources.
at the state level.
NOTE: Some sources may be considered as either
primary or secondary. Use your annotations to explain Rule 21: National Competition
your reasoning for classifying any sources that are not Attendance
clearly primary or secondary. Listing a source under
both primary and secondary is inappropriate. Individual students and groups must be
present for an entry to be judged at the
Rule 17: Style Guides national contest.
Style for citations and bibliographic references
must follow the principles in one of the
following style guides:

iii. iNDiviDual CategoRy Rules

A. PAPER Rule 17, for citation styles. Please note that an
extensively annotated footnote should not be
A paper is the traditional form of presenting used to get around the word limit.
historical research. Various types of creative
writing (for example, fictional diaries, poems, Rule 3: Preparation Requirements
etc.) are permitted, but must conform to all Papers must be typed, computer printed, or
general and category rules. Your paper should legibly handwritten in ink on plain, white 8.5
be grammatically correct and well written. x 11-inch paper with 1-inch margins on all
sides. Pages must be numbered consecutively
Part II, Rules for all Categories (except for Rule and double-spaced with writing on one side
14), applies to papers. and with no more than 12 characters per inch
Rule 1: Length Requirements or no less than 10-point type. Papers must be
stapled in the top left corner and should not
The text of historical papers must be no less
be enclosed in any cover or binder. The title
than 1,500 and no more than 2,500 words in
page should have no illustrations.
length. Each word or number in the text of the
paper counts as one word. The paper category Rule 4: Number of Copies
2,500 word limit does not apply to: notes, Four copies of the paper must be submitted,
annotated bibliography, illustration captions, prior to the contest, with the appropriate
and supplemental/appendix material. Appendix entry form by the deadline established for
material must be directly referred to in the text the contest. Winning papers are sometimes
of the paper. Extensive supplemental materials published by contest officials; you must
are inappropriate. Use of appendices should be prepared to give permission for such
be very limited and may include photographs, publication.
maps, charts, and graphs, but we strongly
NOTE: Be sure to keep a copy of your paper for yourself
suggest no other supplemental materials.
and bring it with you to the contest.
NOTE: Oral history transcripts, correspondence between
you and experts, questionnaires, and other primary or
secondary materials used as sources for your paper
as attachments to your paper.

Rule 2: Citations
Citations—footnotes, endnotes or internal
documentation—are required. Citations are
used to credit the sources of specific ideas
as well as direct quotations. Refer to Part II,


B. ExHIBIT Rule 2: Media Devices
Media devices (e.g., tape recorders, projectors,
An exhibit is a visual representation of your
video monitors, computers) used in an exhibit
research and interpretation of your topic’s
must not run for more than a total of 3 minutes
significance in history, much like a small
and are subject to the 500-word limit (Rule 3).
museum exhibit. The analysis and interpretation
Viewers and judges must be able to control
of your topic must be clear and evident to the
media devices. Any media devices used must
viewer. Labels and captions should be used
fit within the size limits of the exhibit. Any
creatively with visual images and objects to
media devices used should be integral to
enhance the message of your exhibit.
the exhibit—not just a device to bypass the
Part II, Rules for all Categories, applies prohibition against live student involvement.
to exhibits. NOTE: For example, a brief excerpt from a taped
student-conducted oral interview or a dramatic reading
Rule 1: Size Requirements might be appropriate, but taped commentary or
The overall size of your exhibit when displayed analysis is inappropriate.

for judging must be no larger than 40 inches Rule 3: Word Limit
wide, 30 inches deep, and 6 feet high.
There is a 500-word limit that applies to all
Measurement of the exhibit does not include
text created by the student that appears on
the table on which it rests; however, it would
or as part of an exhibit entry. This includes
include any stand that you create and any
the text you write for titles, subtitles, captions,
table drapes. Circular or rotating exhibits or
graphs, timelines, media devices (e.g., video,
those meant to be viewed from all sides must
slides, computer files) or supplemental
be no more than 30 inches in diameter. (See
materials (e.g., photo albums, scrapbooks, etc.)
diagram below.)
where you use your own words.

NOTE: A date counts as one word, while each word in
21.3quot; a name is individually counted. For example, January
40quot; 1, 2006 counts as one word, but John Quincy Adams
counts as three.
21.3quot; 30quot;

Words such as “a,” “the” and “of” are
counted as one word each.
6'
Brief citations crediting the sources of
illustrations or quotations included on the
exhibit do not count toward the 500-word limit.

NOTE: Be careful that your message is clear and
40quot;
contained on the exhibit itself; judges have little
time to review supplemental material. Extensive
supplemental material is inappropriate. For example,
oral history transcripts, correspondence between you
and experts, questionnaires, and other primary or
secondary materials used as sources for your exhibit
6'
as attachments to your bibliography or exhibit.
30quot;


C. PERFORMANCE Rule 2: Performance Introduction
The title of your entry and the names of
A performance is a dramatic portrayal of your
the participants must be the first and only
topic’s significance in history and must be
announcements prior to the start of the
original in production.
performance.
Part II, Rules for all Categories, applies to Rule 3: Media Devices
performances.
Use of slides, tape recorders, computers,
Rule 1: Time Requirements or other media within your performance is
Performances may not exceed 10 minutes in permitted. You must run all equipment and
length. Timing starts at the beginning of the carry out any special lighting or sound effects.
performance following the announcement Rule 4: Script
of the title and student name(s). Any other
The script for the performance should not be
introductory remarks will be considered part
included with the written material presented
of the performance and will be counted as
to the judges.
part of the overall time. You will be allowed an
additional 5 minutes to set up and 5 minutes to Rule 5: Costumes
remove any props needed for your performance. You may have a costume produced for you, but
NOTE: You should allow several empty seconds in your the design, choice of fabrics, etc. must be your
performance to account for unplanned pauses (e.g. own. Or, you may rent a costume. Remember:
applause, forgotten lines, etc.).
simple is best.


D. DOCUMENTARY dramatization. Only those students listed as
entrants may participate in the production
A documentary should reflect your ability to or appear on camera.
use audiovisual equipment to communicate
NOTE: This does not include interviews of participants
your topic’s significance, much as professional in a historical event or of experts.
documentaries do. The documentary
category will help you develop skills in Rule 5: Entry Production
using photographs, film, video, audiotapes, Your entry must be an original production. You
computers, and graphic presentations. Your may use professional photographs, film, slides,
presentation should include primary materials recorded music, etc. within your presentation.
but must also be an original production. To However, you must integrate such items into
produce a documentary you must have access your presentation and give proper credit within
to equipment and be able to operate it. the presentation as well as in your annotated
bibliography. You must operate all editing
Part II, Rules for all Categories, applies to
equipment used in the production of your
documentaries.
presentation.
Rule 1: Time Requirements NOTE: Using material created by others specifically for
Documentaries may not exceed 10 minutes use in your entry violates this rule, except that which
already exists.
in length. You will be allowed an additional
5 minutes to set up and 5 minutes to remove Rule 6: Credits
equipment. Timing will begin when the first At the conclusion of the documentary,
visual image of the presentation appears and/ you should provide a general list of
or the first sound is heard. Color bars and acknowledgments and credits for all sources.
other visual leads in a video will be counted These credits should be a brief list and
in the time limit. Timing will end when the not full bibliographic citations. All sources
last visual image or sound of the presentation (music, images, film/media clips, interviews,
concludes (this includes credits). books, web sites) used in the making of the
NOTE: Use your set-up time to focus slides, adjust documentary should be properly cited in the
volume, etc. annotated bibliography.

Rule 2: Introduction Rule 7: Displays
You must announce only the title of your Stand alone displays are prohibited.
presentation and names of participants.
Live narration or comments prior to or during
Rule 8: Computer Entries
the presentation are prohibited. You must be able to run the program within
the 10-minute time limit. Interactive computer
Rule 3: Student Involvement programs and web pages in which the
You are responsible for running all equipment. audience or judges are asked to participate are
not acceptable; judges are not permitted to
Rule 4: Student Production
operate any equipment. Students must provide
All entries must be student-produced. You
and be able to run their own computers and
must operate all equipment. You must
software. Internet access will not be available.
provide the narration, voice-over, and


weB site CategoRy

The web site category is the most interactive of all NHD categories. Therefore, a web
site should reflect your ability to use web site design software and computer
technology to communicate the topic’s significance in history. The historical quality,
analysis, and interpretation of the topic must be clear and evident to the viewer
through the content and navigational structure of the site. In designing the entry,
you should include elements that actively engage the audience in learning about the
topic. These elements do not have to be technologically complex, but they should
let the audience participate in exploring the topic, rather than passively viewing
information. The presentation should include primary materials, but must also be
an original production. To produce a web site, you must have access to appropriate
software and equipment and be able to operate it.

E. WEB SITE Rule 4: Entry Production
All entries must be original productions. You
Part II, Rules for all Categories, applies to
may use professional photographs, graphics,
web sites.
video, recorded music, etc. within the site. Such
Rule 1: Size Requirements items must be integrated into the web site,
Web site entries may contain no more than and proper credit must be given within the
1,200 visible, student-composed words. Code site as well as in the annotated bibliography.
used to build the site, and alternate text tags The student must operate all software and
on images do not count toward the word equipment in the development of the web site.
limit. The word limit does not include words NOTE: Using objects created by others specifically
found in materials used for illustration such for use in your entry violates this rule. However, using
graphics, multimedia clips, etc. which already exist
as documents, artifacts or graphs not created
is acceptable.
by the student, or quotations from primary
sources such as oral history interviews, letters, Rule 5: Bibliographic Sources
or diaries, photos of artifacts with writing, or The annotated bibliography must be included
other illustrative materials such as reoccurring as an integrated part of the web site. It should
menus, titles and navigation instructions that be included in the navigational structure and
are used as an integral part of the web site. does NOT count toward the 1,200-word limit.
Brief text crediting the sources of illustrations Refer to Part II Rules 15-17, for citation and
or quotations included on the web site do not style information.
count toward the 1,200-word limit. The entire
site, including all multimedia, may use up to Rule 6: Stable Content
100MB of file space. The content and appearance of a page cannot
change when the page is refreshed in the
Rule 2: Navigation browser. Random text or image generators are
One page of the web site must serve as the not allowed.
“home page” with the file name “index.”
The home page must include the names of Rule 7: Viewing Files
participants, entry title, division, and a main The pages that comprise the site must be
menu that directs viewers to the various viewable in a recent version of a standard web
sections of the site. All pages must be browser (i.e. Microsoft Internet Explorer, Firefox,
interconnected with hypertext links. Automatic or Safari). Students are responsible for ensuring
redirects are not permitted. that the entry is viewable in multiple web
browsers. Entries may not link to live or external
Rule 3: Multimedia sites, except to direct viewers to plug-ins.
Each multimedia clip may not last more than
45 seconds and may not include student- Rule 8: File Safety
composed narration. There is no limit to the Entries that contain potentially harmful file
number of multimedia clips other than the file contamination (e.g. a virus) are subject to
size limit. Voiceover of material not composed disqualification.
by students is allowed. If an entry uses any
form of multimedia requiring a plug-in (for Rule 9: Submitting Entry for Judging
example, Flash, QuickTime or Real Player), Four hard copies of a title page, a process
you must provide on the same page a link to paper, and an annotated bibliography must
an Internet site where the plug-in is available be submitted in advance by the established
as a free, secure, and legal download. Judges deadline. For up-to-date submission procedures,
will make every effort to view all multimedia please visit www.nhd.org/Contest.htm.
content, but files that cannot be viewed
cannot be evaluated as part of the entry.

iv. How will youR eNtRy
Be juDgeD?
A. Benefits of the Evaluation Process In such cases, the entries judged best by each
The goal of National History Day is to team of initial judges are re-evaluated by a
provide you with a high-quality, educational new team of judges to determine the winning
experience—whether or not you win a entries in the category. The number of entries
prize. The judges’ evaluations are part of the in finals and procedures for judging vary by
learning and skill building process of NHD. The contest and category and are within the
judges’ evaluations help you to improve areas discretion of the contest officials.
or skills and provide positive feedback for the D. Consensus Judging
hard work you have put into producing your
Judges will not assign a numerical score to
project. The judges’ comments also can provide
each entry; rather, they will rank the entries
you with ideas for revisions and enhancements
in their group. Judges are required to consult
as you move from one contest level to the
with each other in determining individual
next. Remember, regardless of how your entry
rankings. Judges are allowed to review the
is ranked, by participating in National History
results of their category upon completion
Day you will benefit from the experience. You
of the judging to assure accuracy in the
will gain research, thinking, and presentation
evaluation process. As a final step, the judges
skills which will last your whole life. You will
will assign each entry an overall rating.
become an expert on a topic of interest to you
and to others. You will acquire poise and self- E. The Subjective Nature of Judging
confidence and will learn to manage your time. Remember: judges must evaluate certain
You are a winner. aspects of your entry that are objective (e.g.,
were primary sources used; is the written
B. Who are the Judges?
material grammatically correct and accurately
Historians, educators, and others interested in
spelled). But judges must also evaluate
history and education serve as judges at each
interpretive aspects of your entry which
level of the National History Day competition.
are qualitative in nature (e.g., analysis and
C. How Does the Evaluation conclusions about the historical data).
Process Work?
Historians often reach different opinions
At official National History Day contests, each
about the significance of the same data.
separate National History Day division and
It is therefore crucial for you to base your
category is usually judged as a whole by a
interpretations and conclusions on solid
panel of judges. Time constraints, due to the
research. Judges will check to determine
number of entries, often require that some
whether you used available primary sources
categories be evaluated initially by several
and if you were careful to examine all sides of
teams of judges. Finals then become necessary.
an issue and present a balanced account of


your research and presentation. Your process • Does my entry demonstrate an
paper and annotated bibliography are critical understanding of historical context?
to this process. • Does my annotated bibliography
demonstrate wide research?
F. The Decision of the Judges is Final
• Does my entry demonstrate a balanced
You, your parents, and your teachers should presentation of materials?
realize that inadvertent inequities may occur in • Does my entry demonstrate use of available
judging and that contest officials do want to primary sources?
be informed of any problems. The decisions of
the judges are final. Relation to Theme (20%)
Your entry must clearly explain the relation of
G. Evaluation Criteria your topic to the annual National History Day
Historical Quality (60%) theme. You should ask yourself the following
The most important aspect of your entry is its questions to help focus your topic on the
historical quality. You should ask yourself the theme and its significance:
following questions to help you focus on your • How does my topic relate to the theme?
historical analysis: • Why is my topic important?
• Is my entry historically accurate? • How is my topic significant in history and in
• Does my entry provide analysis and relation to the National History Day theme?
interpretation of the historical data rather • How did my topic influence history?
than just a description?


• How did the events and atmosphere • Is the visual material I present clear?
(social, economic, political, and cultural • Do I understand and properly use all of my
aspects) of my topic’s time period equipment?
influence my topic in history?
H. Rule Compliance
Clarity of Presentation (20%) Judges will take into consideration in their
Although historical quality is most important, final rankings any rule infraction. Failure to
your entry must be presented in an effective comply with the rules will count against your
manner. You should ask yourself the entry. Rule infractions should be corrected
following questions to help you focus on your before a winning entry competes in the next
presentation: level of competition.
• Is my entry original, creative, and imaginative
in subject and presentation?
I. Sample Judge’s Evaluation
• Is my written material clear, grammatically Below are sample NHD project evaluation
correct and accurately spelled? forms. Teachers or fellow students can use this
• Is my entry well-organized? form to help evaluate your project as you work
• Do I display stage presence in a to improve your entry. Blank forms can be
performance? found on the NHD web site at www.nhd.org.


v. CategoRy CHeCklist

Exhibit • All props and equipment are student
Individual and Group (2-5 students) supplied
• Only student entrants run equipment and are
• No larger than 40 inches wide, 30 inches
involved in the performance
deep, and 6 feet high when displayed
• Extra supplies and materials in case of
• 3 copies (plus one for you) of written
emergency
materials: title page with required
• Entry registered by deadline
information; 500 word description of the
• Prepared to answer judges’ questions at the
research methods used (a judging team may
contest (remember that formal narratives are
retain one copy for review)
not appropriate responses to questions)
• Annotated bibliography, separated into
primary and secondary sources Documentary
• Exhibit addresses the theme Individual and Group (2-5 students)
• Title is clear and visible • 10-minute maximum for presentation
• Labels, captions, and titles include no more • Maximum 5 minutes to set up and 5 minutes
than 500 words to take down
• Has visual impact and shows interpretation • 3 copies (plus one for you) of written
• Entry registered by deadline materials: title page with required
• Prepared to answer judges’ questions at the information; 500 word description of the
contest (remember that formal narratives are research methods used (a judging team may
not appropriate responses to questions) retain one copy for review)
Performance • Annotated bibliography, separated into
primary and secondary sources
Individual and Group (2-5 students)
• Documentary addresses the theme
• 10-minute maximum for performance
• Live student involvement limited to operating
• Maximum 5 minutes to set up and 5 minutes
equipment and giving name and title
to take down props
• 3 copies (plus one for you) of written
• Extra supplies and materials in case of
materials: title page with required
emergency
information; 500 word description of the
research methods used (a judging team may
retain one copy for review)
• Annotated bibliography, separated into
primary and secondary sources
• Performance addresses the theme


Paper Web Site
Individual Only Individual and Group (2-5 students)
• 1,500-2,500 words, excluding notes, • Contains no more than 1,200 visible,
annotated bibliography, and title page student-composed words
• Title page with only the required information • Home page includes names of participants, entry
• Annotated bibliography, separated into title, division, and a main menu
primary and secondary sources • All pages are interconnected with hypertext links
• Paper addresses the theme • Web site uses no more than 100MB of file space
• Citations • The content is stable and does not change when
• 4 copies (plus one for you) the refresh button is hit
• Organization shows clear focus and • Web site is virus-free
progression • Annotated bibliography, separated into primary
• Entry registered and papers mailed and secondary resources
by deadline • Web site addresses the theme
• Prepared to answer judges’ questions at the • 4 copies (plus one for you) of written material:
contest (remember that formal narratives are title page with required information; 500-word
not appropriate responses to questions) description of the research methods used and
required written material


foR fuRtHeR iNfoRmatioN

Contact:
National History Day
0119 Cecil Hall
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: (301) 314-9739
E-mail: info@nhd.org
Web: www.nhd.org

Copyright ©2008 National History Day, Inc
May be duplicated without permission of National History Day; duplication for profit is prohibited.

Sponsors
National History Day wishes to thank its major sponsors:

For more information about National History Day and answers to frequently
asked questions about rules and procedures, check out the NHD web site at
www.nhd.org.


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