Project Checklist – Exhibit
Student Name(s)
Exhibit Title
Process Paper Word
Count (Max: 500)
Exhibit Word Count
(Max: 500)
GENERAL RULES
Requirement:
My/our topic clearly relates to the annual theme.
I/we have read the Contest Rule Book.
I/we have independently researched and created this exhibit in this contest year. No research was reused from
previous projects, whether my/our own or research belonging to other students.
This is an original entry. Each participant has participated in only one entry. I/we did not share work with other
students.
I/we have not used any improper assistance.
I/we understand that using someone else’s work without proper credit is plagiarism and will result in
disqualification.
EXHIBIT RULES
Requirement:
My/our exhibit is an original creation, showing my/our historical research, analysis, and argument in a three-
dimensional format.
My/our exhibit meets the size requirements:
o The exhibit is no larger than 40 inches wide, 30 inches deep, and 6 feet high.
OR
o If the exhibit is circular or rotating, it is no more than 30 inches in diameter.
My/our exhibit contains 500 or fewer student-composed words. The word count includes all text that I/we have
written, such as titles, subtitles, captions, graphs, timelines, media devices, or supplemental materials. The word
count for the exhibit appears on my title page.
My/our historical argument is expressed primarily through the exhibit itself. Any supplementary materials or
media devices are used sparingly to support my/our argument, if used at all, but are not the primary tools to
deliver the project’s message.
I understand that my/our own historical analysis is the most important element of the exhibit. Quotes from
primary and secondary sources support, but do not overwhelm or distract from, my/our historical argument.
My/our exhibit does not include takeaway items for judges or others.
Media devices or electronics (if used in the exhibit) meet the following requirements:
o The media runs for no more than a total of two minutes and does not loop continuously.
o The media does not include dramatic or narrative student involvement.
o Judges are able to control the media device with clearly visible and accessible on/off and volume
controls.
o The media device fits within the size and word limits of the exhibit.
o The media does not link externally (e.g., no QR codes).
I/we provide source credits for all quotes and visual sources used as evidence on the exhibit itself. All sources are
cited in the annotated bibliography.
WRITTEN MATERIALS for the EXHIBIT CATEGORY
Requirement:
My/our written materials begin with a title page containing the following:
o Title of the exhibit
o My/our name(s)
o Junior OR Senior Division
o Individual OR Group Exhibit
o Number of student-composed words in the exhibit
o Number of words in the process paper
No other information (school, state, teacher, course) is contained on this page.
Following my/our title page is a process paper. The process paper addresses the following questions in no more
than 500 words:
o How did you choose your topic and how does it relate to the annual theme?
o How did you conduct your research?
o How did you create your project?
o What is your historical argument?
o In what ways is your topic significant in history?
My/our process paper does not include quotes, images, or captions.
My/our annotated bibliography contains the following:
o A complete list of all sources used to create this project
o Annotations for each source
In addition:
o My/our annotated bibliography is separated into two sections—one for primary sources, another for
secondary sources.
o The annotations describe how I/we used the source and how it helped to understand the topic.
o If I/we used several items from the same collection, they are combined into a single citation.
I/we did not attach primary or secondary materials to the annotated bibliography.
My/our written materials are printed (typed) on plain, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper (A4 for international affiliates),
with 1-inch margins on all sides, in 12-point font.
My/our written materials are assembled in the following order and stapled/clipped in the top left corner:
o Title page
o Process paper
o Annotated bibliography
I/we did not enclose these materials in a binder or folder.
I/we certify that this National History Day project is the result of my/our unique academic work. All assistance and sources
are properly credited.
Signed: __________________________________________________ Date: _______________________
Signed: __________________________________________________ Date: _______________________
Signed: __________________________________________________ Date: _______________________
Signed: __________________________________________________ Date: _______________________
Signed: __________________________________________________ Date: _______________________
Copyright © 2020 National History Day, Inc.
May be duplicated without permission of National History Day; duplication for profit is prohibited.
