Use these Project Graphic Organizers to help you decide and create your project!
Get OrganizersSimilar to exhibits in a museum, exhibits are designed to display visual and written information on a topic in an easy-to-understand and attractive manner. To be successful, an exhibit must create an effective balance between visual interest and historical explanation.
The availability of video cameras and digital editing software has increased the popularity of this entry category. Become a filmmaker and develop skills in using photographs, film, video, audio, computers, and graphic presentations to communicate your topic's significance. If you are able to use editing equipment this can be an exciting and educational project.
The process of the historical research paper is similar to the writing of articles and books by college professors. A research paper requires three basic steps.
The Performance category allows you to create a historical play. Entries in this category must have dramatic appeal, but not at the expense of historical information. Creativity is the key here, and students must make effective use of their 10-minute time allowance. Innovative performances have made this category the highlight of many History Day competitions!
The website category is the most interactive of all History Day categories. A website should reflect your ability to use website design software and computer technology to communicate your topic’s significance in history. Websites MUST be created using NHDWebCentral. Websites not created using the NHD software will be ineligible for advancement at the contests.
The key to an effective Ohio History Day entry is the combination of a good topic with good sources. Here are some questions to think about when you select a topic to research:
A good way to choose a topic is to start with a general area of history you find interesting. This might be information you read about in your textbook or something related to family history. It can also be related to a hobby or personal interest, such as sports, comics, film & tv, politics, science and engineering - all of these have a connection to history.
Once you define your interest, the next step is to narrow your general ideas into a more focused topic. Use the below resources to help you!
For a History Day project to be successful, you need to do more than report facts. You need to dive a little deeper into your research and create a historical argument - also know as a thesis statement. A historical argument is an informed opinion on your topic. It's supported by evidence from your sources.
A historical argument:
As you do more research and find more information, your ideas on your topic might change. Your historical argument should change to show this. Remember, your argument needs to be supported by the historical evidence! See pages 9-13 of the 2024 Student Research Guide (Coming Soon) for more help!
As you start to gather information, it is important to have a research strategy. A good research strategy has two parts:
Analyzing Sources
In your research journey, you may come across some important cartoons, photographs, facts, or quotes that you may not fully understand. These analysis documents can help you understand the meaning and importance behind these significant sources.
Annotated Bibliography
A bibliography is an alphabetized list of the sources you used. An annotated bibliography not only lists the sources but also gives a short description (2-3 sentences max.) of the source and how you used it in your entry. A History Day bibliography should be separated into primary and secondary sources. For guidelines on bibliographic style, you should refer to A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations by Kate L. Turabian, or the style guide of the Modern Language Association of America (MLA).
Use the Evaluating Sources and Creating a Bibliography Organizer to help you! See pages 19-20 in the Contest Rule Book for more information.
Every History Day category (including the Paper category) must include a process paper. This paper introduces your topic, explains how you developed your entry and documents your research process. It is important to do a good job on this part of your entry because it is the first thing the judges look at when evaluating your work. The process paper should be no more than 500 words and respond to the following questions:
See page 19 of the Contest Rule Book for more information.
Please read the NHD Contest Rule Book (en Español). The NHD rulebook contains general rules for everyone and then specific rules for each category.
Topics can come from any time period and any place in history. Projects can be about war, music, art, sports, etc. Topics must fit within the theme for the year. The connection to the theme should be evident in the project and the connection should not be forced. See the NHD Theme Narrative, and the Ohio Theme Sheet and Topic List for more information on this year's theme and topic ideas.
Check the Contest Information page to find the date of your contest and when registration materials are due.
The websites are locked down before the contest so that the judges can take their time to evaluate the project before the contest. The judges will then interview you about your project on the day of the contest.
When your project is judged the judges are evaluating your project using two different levels of criteria.
Historical Quality
The Historical Quality of your project is worth 80% when it comes to the judges' final decision. Historical quality focuses on the strength of the historical argument, relation to the theme, accuracy of facts, an understanding of historical context, a wide array of research represented in the annotated bibliography, a balanced presentation of your materials (unbiased) the use of available primary sources, and the presence of student's voice.
Clarity of your Presentation
This criterion is also worth 20% in your final evaluation. Clarity of presentation focus on whether the entry is presented in an effective, original and creative manner. The judges will also consider an entry in compliance with the rules in the final consideration. Failure to follow the rules will count against an entry in the final decisions by the judges.
At every level of competition, ALL JUDGES DECISIONS ARE FINAL!
You can view the rules here.
These are the evaluation sheets used by the judges.
No, you are not allowed to prepare an official presentation for the judges. They will read your paperwork and view your project.
Interview questions can vary depending on the judges. Most likely you will be asked content questions about your topic and then questions about your research and how you put together your projects. Here are some sample questions you might be asked:
The advancement number is based on the number of projects in each category at the regional contest. The general rule is that three from each category move on but sometimes if there are a lot of projects, the regions can send more. The number is a maximum for judges and they do not have to send on the maximum number.
Ohio History Day will be held in-person on April 18, 2026. Additional information will be shared with participants in fall. Remember to frequently check the Contest Information page to learn more.
The top two projects in each category advance to the national contest. The third-place finisher will be the national alternate in case the second-place finisher is not available to attend nationals.
