National History Day How To: Creating a Website

What exactly is the website? A computer-based representation of your research. Textual and visual evidence presented. Not just a paper on a computer. Must be hosted through

Website Basics Complete rules can be found in the Contest Rule Book No larger than 100mb. A single multi-media clip can last no longer than 45 seconds and must not be embedded on another site (i.e. YouTube or Google Video). Annotated bibliography & process paper must be included in the navigational structure. Does not count toward the word limit. No more than 1200 visible student-composed words. –What counts: Captions, your own words, text for graphs, charts, and timelines you create. –What doesn’t count: recurring menus, titles, navigation instructions, quotations, brief text crediting sources, code used to build site.

What does your project need to “do”? Tell a story Reveal change over time Consider historical perspective Provide context Ask questions Draw conclusions Find facts

How do I choose a topic? Brainstorm topics related to the theme. Learn what historical resources are nearby. Think through controversial topics. Choose something you think is interesting!

How do I research my topic? Start with secondary sources. They help you understand your topic more completely. Will point you toward primary sources. Help you pick the specific themes and key questions you want to address and ask. Can I use websites? Yes, but don’t do all your research there.

Now what? Primary sources! –NHD defines these as materials directly related to a topic by time or participation. –Sources can be both primary and secondary depending on how it’s used. –Look in the footnotes and bibliographies of secondary sources to find them. –Talk to a librarian, archivist, teacher, or historian!

Evaluating your sources Not all primary sources are primary to your topic. Think about these questions: –What type of source is it? –What is the date? –Who created it? –Where was it produced?

What do I put on my website? Non-textual elements should support your argument. Use interpretative captions. Interactives: pop-ups, image maps, sound, videos, timelines. –Don’t go overboard: they shouldn’t replace or overshadow your argument –Don’t have to be hi-tech. Sometimes simple is better.

But, How Should it Look? offers plenty of design options. Put your thesis on the first page. Make it easy for the viewer to find! Play around with it, but make sure each page makes a clear connection to your thesis. Make sure it’s easy to navigate.

Tips! Don’t start working with until you have your research down. Start your ideas on paper so you know how you to organize your information. Remember everything should support and further your argument. Your font, colors, style do make an impression. Does it fit your topic? Is it readable? Use the same basic layout for each page. Check out past NHD winners:

But, what if I have questions? That’s easy, contact: Cheryl Caskey at or ext Or, visit: Or, visit: Or, visit: