National History Day Scoring Criteria
As you work on your History Day project, refer to this scoring guide. It's broken down into 3 sections (as outlined below). An easy way to think about each criterion is that each one is worth 10% of your overall grade.
HISTORICAL QUALITY (60%)
Criterion
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Evaluation Questions
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Entry is historically accurate
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Is what you’re presenting actually true?
Can you verify your facts?
Would most historians pay attention to your claims?
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Shows analysis and interpretation
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What do you think about the topic?
How do you prove your thesis?
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Places topic in historical context
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What other things are going on in the world at this time?
How does your topic relate to what’s happening in the world at that time?
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Shows wide research
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Do you have enough sources?
Do you find books?
Are you missing important sources for the topic?
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Uses available primary sources
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How do you let those who experienced the event tell the story?
Do you have quotes from those involved thoroughly intertwined throughout your project?
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Research is balanced
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Did you find sources that disagree with your thesis?
Do you flesh out the other side of the argument?
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RELATION TO THEME (20%)
Criterion
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Evaluation Questions |
Clearly relates topic to theme |
Did you pick the topic just because you liked it?
How does it connect to the annual theme?
Do you show judges how it connect to theme throughout your project?
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Demonstrates significance of topic in history and draws conclusions |
Do you prove your thesis?
Do you offer your own ideas?
Do you agree / disagree with what others have stated?
How do your primary sources help you arrive at your conclusion?
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CLARITY OF PRESENTATION (20%)
Each of these are specific to the category and are hopefully self-explanatory. You can look at your category's specific rubric to see what these 2 criterion are. Talk to your teacher if you have questions.
- Is what you’re presenting actually true?
- Can you verify your facts?
- Would most historians pay attention to your claims?
- Is what you’re presenting actually true?
- Can you verify your facts?
- Would most historians pay attention to your claims?
- Is what you’re presenting actually true?
- Can you verify your facts?
- Would most historians pay attention to your claims?