Contest Rules

Please review the 2020 National History Day Rule Book for contest and category rules.

Rule compliance will be taken into consideration by judges. 

The NHD Rule Verification Sheet can be used to make sure your project adheres to competition rules.

Overview of written requirements for each category:

• Exhibit (group or individual); Must include at least 3 copies of:
  • Title page
  • Process Paper

  • Annotated Bibliography

• Documentary (group or individual); Must include at least 3 copies of:
  • Title Page
  • Process Paper

  • Annotated Bibliography

• Paper (individual only); Must include:
  • Title Page

  • Annotated Bibliography

• Performance (group or individual); Must include at least 3 copies of:
  • Title page
  • Process Paper

  • Annotated Bibliography

• Website (group or individual); Must include in the site:
  • Title page
  • Process Paper
  • Annotated Bibliography

NOTE: This is a simplified overview. Consult the Rule Book to ensure compliance.

          

About History Day and YSU

History Day is an academic competition for students in grades 6-12. The program encourages student-driven historical research, focused on identifying primary and secondary sources, and requires students to present their findings.

History Day meets Ohio's Learning Standards and can improve test scores, prepare students for college and careers, and inspire students by allowing them to think creatively and critically about a topic of their interest.

Since 1975, about 300 students per year have been welcomed to Youngstown State University on one weekend each April for the annual Region 4 Ohio History Day competition. Students from Ashtabula, Geauga, Mahoning, Portage, and Trumbull Counties participate by writing papers or creating exhibits, websites, documentaries, or performances based on the year’s theme.

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Public Display

A virtual showcase of student projects will be available after judging has been completed on contest day.

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What to Expect

9:00 am: Judge Orientation

10:00 am: Judging commences

2:30 pm: Judging wraps up; student projects on display on virtual showcase on the website.

3:00 pm: Award ceremony and announcement of state qualifiers.

          

Judging Criteria

Review the 2021 National History Day Rule Book (NHD-RuleBook-2021.pdf) for more in-depth information about judging. Judges will also take category rule compliance into account (e.g. size of exhibits, length of documentaries, etc.). View sample evaluation forms here (NHDEvaluationFormsRound1Merged.pdf).

1. Historical Quality (80%) - projects should demonstrate:

   • A solid historical argument

   • Wide research

   • The use of primary sources

   • A sense of historical context (how the subject fit into its times)

   • Multiple perspectives on the same subject

   • Historical accuracy

   • Significance in history - why the subject matters

2. Clarity of Presentation (20%) - projects should demonstrate:

   • Original, creative, imaginative work in subject/presentation

   • Clear, grammatically correct writing, correct spelling

   • Good organization

   • Stage presence (for performances)

   • Student voice: what did the student get out of researching this subject?