What is National History Day?

What is NHD? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z91Ial4- D2A&list=UUbpcuQ7ZyA8zfnxNd8gUW- g&index=7

What Can You Do With NHD? BECOME an historian Explore the history of something that interests YOU Create a project to SHARE your ideas with others Enter a competitive cycle - ADVANCE to regional, state, and national contests

How does NHD work? Select a topic connected to annual theme Complete your own research Analyze the significance of topic in history Present your ideas through a creative project Compete in series of regional, state, and national competitions (optional)

Picking an NHD Topic Needs to connect to the annual theme, but… There are endless topic possibilities! Everything has a history!

Tips for Picking Topics Avoid history that is “too new.” More than 20 years in the past as a rule of thumb. Don’t choose a broad topic. Narrow topic by time period, people, event, or geographic area. Look at something specific related to the broad topic. Example: American Revolution  Stamp Act Are there primary and secondary sources you can access? Choose something you are interested in.

Topic Brainstorm

Select a topic based on an annual theme. Topics must be connected to the to theme Annual theme is broad enough to cover a wide range of topics

Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events 2013 NHD Annual Theme Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events

The Annual Theme A Turning Point is moment that great change. Think of how things were before this point, and how things were different afterwards. Examples: Area of History Women’s History Your Idea? Topic 1 Susan B. Anthony and the Suffrage Movement Topic 2 Title IX and Equality for Women in Sports`

Categories Exhibit Historical Paper Website Performance Documentary

Exhibits

Exhibits Similar to what you might see in a museum Uses text, images, objects, etc. to make an argument Up to 6’ tall, 40” wide, 30” deep 500 student-composed words Most popular NHD category

Documentary The Use of Propaganda and the Rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c98k2NQFJYU

Documentaries Similar to what you might see on PBS or the History Channel 10-minute media presentation Great category if you like technology and have a visual topic

Performance http://www.youtube.com/embed/akNC-3kJg8o

Performances 10-minute dramatic performance Conveys your argument and evidence Uses scripts, costumes, props, etc. Great category for performers who love to be on stage: actors, singers, dancers

Historical Paper http://www.nationalhistoryday.org/CategoryPaper.htm

Papers 1,500 - 2,500 word essay about an historical topic Includes citations: footnotes, endnotes, or internal documentation Great category for aspiring writers

Website Prohibition http://71658347.nhd.weebly.com/ The Suez Crisishttp://29871397.nhd.weebly.com/

Web Sites 1,200 visible, student-composed words, 100 MB size limit Incorporates text, images, media, and more to make an argument Created using the NHD Website Editor – provided free online

Selecting a Category Pick a category YOU like: Do you like working with technology? Do you like performing on stage? Do you like writing? Pick a category that works with your topic: Are there enough visuals for this topic to make a documentary? An exhibit? A website? Can you focus on a specific person or event for a performance?

The Three Hats of the Historian The NHD Process Research Analyze Present The Three Hats of the Historian

Research your topics using primary and secondary sources. “NHD really helped me with my research skills. During the research I learned to use the Archives and microfilm.” "During my research I was able to visit the archives at UW-GB. I found that often the primary sources had better opinions and more meaningful information than the compiled secondary sources."

Research Start with Secondary Sources Move to Primary Sources A book about your topic A good website from a reliable source Move to Primary Sources Photographs, interviews, books written by participants, newspaper articles, etc.

Primary and Secondary Sources Primary Sources Connected to an event by time or participation Created at the time of the event or by someone who witnessed the event Secondary Sources Created after the fact and analyzes primary sources to create an historical narrative Need both types of research for a good NHD project

Where to find information? School Library Public Library University/College Library Archives Historical Societies Museums The Internet

Thesis and Analysis History Day is more than just a book report Analyze your research to figure out why your topic is significant in history Develop a thesis statement about your topic

Guide to Creating a Top Notch NHD Entry Analysis and Interpretation Significance and Impact Research Historical Accuracy Historical Context Adherence to the Theme Follow ALL NHD Rules

Judging Criteria The same criteria are used at all levels of NHD competitions: 60% Historical Quality: Accuracy, analysis, interpretation, historical context, and the quality of research. 20% Connection to Theme: Have you connected the topic to the theme in the project itself? 20% Clarity of Presentation: How clearly have you used the project to convey your argument and evidence? Includes spelling, organization, etc. Rules Compliance: Have you violated any major rules for the category or NHD?

Competition DC-G Competition District Competition State Competition March 4, 2013 District Competition April 6, 2013 State Competition April 29, 2013 National Competition June 9-13, 2013

IMPORTANT INFO You can find most important documents on my website. www.mrswager.wikispaces.com US History  National History Day Pay close attention to project due dates. Ask questions!