<p>I’ve never written a paper (I’m a documentary girl myself:)), but there’s a lot of advice I can offer you that’s not category specific.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Pick a topic that will keep you interested. You might start looking for something by researching a little into a broad area you’re interested in, like the reformation, the civil war, the women’s rights movement, etc. From there you can narrow it down to something more narrow that interests you. It’s important to make sure your topic isn’t too broad, so that you can cover it in detail and present sophisticated analysis within the word limit. Also, steer clear of really common/well known historical events and figures, because the judges already know about these things and are liable to be less interested in your project if it focuses on something like this. Also, they’re more likely to grill you in questioning, find mistakes in your project, and have preconcieved ideas about what they think you should have covered, since they’re familiar with the topic. You can use the sample topic list (not yet published, but it should appear on the NHD website soon) to come up with ideas as well.</p></li>
<li><p>When it comes to research, start with the secondary sources. I can’t tell you how many projects I’ve seen fall on their faces because the students aren’t willing to do the background research- reading books, watching documentaries, talking to historians, etc. necessary to get their project off the ground. While primary sources are the most interesting, undoubtedly, secondary sources are the “backbone” of your project, so to speak. You need to understand how other historians have analyzed your topic in order to do it well on your own.</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t underestimate the importance of the annotated bibliography. Start it early, keep it updated. don’t get carried away with annotation length. Keep researching even as you start your paper, and adding to your bibliography as you go. At the national level, most high caliber projects have compiled bibliographies of 10 or more pages, with 70 or more sources, often much higher than this. However, don’t feel the need to add sources to the bib just to have them there- stay true to your research. If you didn’t use the source, it doesn’t belong in your bib (another reason for wide research).</p></li>
<li><p>Perspective is key. You must be balanced in the story you tell. Even if you’re looking at something seemingly one sided- a topic in the holocaust for instance, it’s important to explain the opposing side. What was the rationale for Hitler’s final solution? How did America react or not react to the plight of European Jews, and why? These kinds of questions are very important in developing the broader picture and telling the complete story. </p></li>
<li><p>Theme relation is very important. Even if you think your topic’s relation to the theme is obvious, say it in your thesis. Say it in your topic sentences. Say it as much as you can (in the year where the theme was exploration, encounter, and exchange in history, I used those three words a combination of over 25 times in a ten minute film).</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Whew, it’s late, so I’ll stop now, but I’m willing to answer any more questions you might have. If you can tell me what state you’re from (I understand if you don’t want to give away that kind of info though), I can give you a more detailed idea of how competitive your state is for NHD. </p>
<p>Oh, and I almost forgot. I have a long list of winning papers compiled. The first place papers at nationals in both the junior (middle school) and senior (high school) divisions, along with their annotated bibliographies, are published in a history journal each year, and I’ve saved the links. They make a great resource. One boy from Iowa has one first place three years running (two years in the high school division, one in middle school), and his papers are great examples, as are the others here. </p>
<p>Jr. Papers:
Aldo Leopold: An American Prophet
Jr. Paper
1st Place, National History Day 2003
<a href=“http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ht/37.1/frese.html[/url]”>http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ht/37.1/frese.html</a></p>
<p>Fifty Years After Brown: Tarnished Gold, Broken Promises
Jr. Paper
1st Place, National History Day 2004
<a href=“http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ht/38.1/gantz.html[/url]”>http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ht/38.1/gantz.html</a></p>
<p>Rosalind Franklin: Unsung Hero of the DNA Revolution
Jr. Paper
1st Place, National History Day 2002
<a href=“http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ht/36.1/rapoport.html[/url]”>http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ht/36.1/rapoport.html</a></p>
<p>A Lasting Impression:
French Painters Revolutionize the Art World
Jr. Paper
1st Place, National History Day 2001
<a href=“http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ht/35.1/snider.html[/url]”>http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ht/35.1/snider.html</a></p>
<p>The Haitian Revolution and the Forging of America
Jr. Paper
1st Place, National History Day 2000
<a href=“http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ht/34.1/thomson.html[/url]”>http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ht/34.1/thomson.html</a></p>
<p>Sr. Papers:
Comrade Khrushchev and Farmer Garst:
East-West Encounters Foster Agricultural Exchange
Sr. Paper
1st Place, National History Day 2004
<a href=“http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ht/38.1/frese.html[/url]”>http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ht/38.1/frese.html</a></p>
<p>Presidents, Congress, and the Use of Force: A Critique of Presidential Powers
Sr. Paper
1st Place, National History Day 2003
<a href=“http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ht/37.1/kittredge.html[/url]”>http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ht/37.1/kittredge.html</a></p>
<p>General Christopher C. Andrews: Leading the Minnesota Forestry Revolution
Sr. Paper
1st Place, National History Day 2002
<a href=“http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ht/36.1/rice.html[/url]”>http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ht/36.1/rice.html</a></p>
<p>Incubator Baby Shows: A Medical and Social Frontier
Sr. Paper
1st Place, National History Day 2001
<a href=“http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ht/35.1/lieberman.html[/url]”>http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ht/35.1/lieberman.html</a></p>
<p>The Battle of Okinawa, 1945: Final Turning Point in the Pacific
Sr. Paper
1st Place, National History Day 2000
<a href=“http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ht/34.1/tzeng.html[/url]”>http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ht/34.1/tzeng.html</a></p>
<p>I have info on some winning projects in other categories as well, if that interests you. Good luck!</p>