Getting Started

Do you love history? Then Florida History Fair is for you! Let's get started.

NHD Contest Rule Book

Before you begin to work on your entry, you, your teacher, and your parents should read the National History Day Contest Rule Book carefully. Even though many projects begin as class assignments, if you intend to progress through the contest, the NHD program has very structured guidelines. The NHD Rule Book will ensure that your project aligns with NHD requirements. You can contact the state coordinator if you need help understanding the NHD rules.

Process Paper

All entries except those in the historical paper category must include a process paper. In a maximum of 500 words and four paragraphs, you must describe how you came up with your idea; the steps that you took to research your topic; and how you actually created your exhibit, paper, documentary, performance, or web site. The final paragraph explains how the topic relates to the annual theme.

The process paper is not the place for you to state what you have learned. That information should be presented in your entry. Rather, the process paper confirms to the judges that you worked with an original idea, conducted original research, and created your project using your own energy and creativity. Examples of process papers are available on the National History Day web site.

Annotated Bibliography

All history fair entries must include an annotated bibliography at the end of the process paper or historical paper. The bibliography lists only those sources that actually contributed information to the project. Primary sources are listed first, followed by secondary sources. Following each citation, an annotation—a short statement of one or two sentences (or more if you desire)—explains how and why that source was useful. There is no limit to the number of words in the bibliography and the annotations.

National History Day and Florida History Fair require citations to follow one of two style guides:  the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, published by the Modern Language Association of America, or A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations by Kate Turabian, published by the University of Chicago Press. An entry must use the bibliography, footnote, and other style formats in one book or the other (i.e., formats cannot be mixed).

Judging Criteria

FHF judging teams are selected carefully, based on several criteria: 1) three people judge each entry; 2) two members have judged previously; 3) at least one individual has historical research experience; and 4) at least one individual has experience in the category being judged. Judges receive a packet of evaluation guidelines before the contest and a verbal orientation on the day of the contest. FHF and NHD consider the judges' decisions to be final.

When judges review an entry, they are looking for ideas and connections that students have made. Does the topic relate to the contest theme? Does the entry merely describe an event, or does it place the topic into historical context, addressing such matters as time and place, and cause and effect? Does it address the historical significance of the topic—that is, its subsequent impact or influence? Does the entry clearly state a thesis and a conclusion? Is the research based on primary and secondary sources? Have these sources been analyzed and interpreted? Students should keep these questions in mind as they plan and prepare their entry. Examples of the judging sheets that state and national judges use are available on the National History Day web site.

NHD Curriculum

National History Day has developed a set of curriculum guides to help students and teachers with the process of researching a topic and creating an entry. Making History includes five bookets:

  • A Guide to Historical Research Through the National History Day Program
  • How to Create a Historical Exhibit
  • How to Create a Historical Documentary
  • How to Create a Historical Performance
  • How to Create a Historical Paper
  • How to Create a Historical Website
Content descriptions and ordering information are available on the
National History Day web site.