What makes a “good”
History Fair Project??
Typical Projects
• Historical Arguments
VS.
• Tell A Story
VS.
• Collection of Facts
HISTORICAL ARGUMENTS
are Superior
• This superior project begins with a clear thesis or claim, and then
develops its argument through step-by-step use of primary and
secondary sources as evidence. It grapples with complexity and the
multiplicity of factors involved in any historical topic. It reveals the
way society develops, how and why things change, and the political, social,
economic and cultural factors involved. It also situates the topic in its
historical context and within the context of U.S. or world history.
Finally, the project’s conclusion is more than a summary of the
argument and evidence presented; it addresses the historical
significance of the topic, what we learn about society and change,
and, perhaps, implications for the present.
• Typical Score: 90 to 100 points
Example of Typical Title:
• "Hull House and the Labor Movement: How Progressives Helped
Turn the Tide for Immigrant Workers"
TELLING A STORY
• A project in this category is a major improvement from a
"Collection of Facts," because has a narrow focus, offers a
solid story or explanation, and demonstrates a high level of
knowledge. What separates an excellent from a superior
project is the need for an argument about why and how
something happened (or didn’t), its impact and significance,
and the larger historical context. Instead, the project tends to
reflect an "appreciation" of a topic and may slide into such
terms as "the only" or "the most important" or "changed
everything." to justify its importance.
• Typical Score: 75-88 points
Example of Typical Title:
• "The Role of Hull House in the Labor Movement"
COLLECTION OF FACTS
• These projects consist of a series of pictures with descriptive
captions that read like a tour guide or captions that are no
more than lengthy timelines. Often, there is no uniting theme
or logic to the order in which the topic is being presented.
Often topics are overly broad, such as Chicago
Architecture or Jane Addams. Instead, try to narrow the focus
and pose a historical question that the project then attempts to
answer.
• Typical score: 70-75 points
Example of Typical Title:
• "The Many Achievements of Jane Addams"
What do you think makes a good History Fair
EXHIBIT?
An exhibit is a visual representation of your research and
interpretation of the significance of your topic. You might think of
it as a smaller version of what you might see in a museum. An
exhibit should be more detailed that a poster you might create for a
class presentation. When it comes time for History Fair, your
board must stand alone.
What makes a good
exhibit?
What makes a good
exhibit?
What makes a good
exhibit?
What makes a good
exhibit?
What makes a good
exhibit?
What did you observe?
What makes a good exhibit?
EXHIBITS
• Pay attention to size
limits
• Your exhibit must be
free-standing: both
literally and in terms
of viewer
understanding
72 INCHES TALL
40 INCHES WIDE
30 INCHES DEPTH
EXHIBITS
• The most common exhibit is
the 3-panelled board, but
that is not the only option.
• Use a variety of visuals:
photos, maps, graphs, charts,
paintings, timelines, artifacts,
etc. You can incorporate
primary sources with quotes,
letters, newspaper articles and
more
Models and Dioramas
Models and Dioramas
Frank Lloyd
Wright
Architecture
Models and Dioramas
EXHIBITS
• You must have a title
panel, thesis and headers.
Use font, color and paper
to make it easier for the
viewer to navigate your
board.
• Labels and Captions
should link evidence to
the thesis
• Word Limit: 750-1000
words. This is not a book
on a board. The text
should be mostly your
own ideas and
interpretations. Quotes
are good, but limit them
to a reasonable amount.
Introduction
and Thesis
Heading
Heading
Caption
Heading
Caption
Caption
Conclusion
EXHIBITS
• Content is more
important than Glitz
• Use color, pattern, and
shapes effectively
• Your board should be
neat
• Ask yourself, What’s the
Point? Will the viewer
be able to follow your
argument by looking at
your exhibit?
Attention to details
Handcuffs
Bullet Shells
Attention to
details
Bloody Butcher
Apron
What do you think makes a good History Fair
PAPER?
A paper should successfully communicate an original
historical argument.
A History Fair paper is NOT a book report or a
biography. It will not look like your textbook.
Be sure to follow and double-check all History Fair
requirements for format and organization before
submitting your paper.
What did you observe?
What makes a good paper?
PAPER
• Organize your paper
before you write. Make
sure you present your
argument and evidence in
a convincing way.
• Several drafts will be
necessary. Your final copy
should be perfect!
• The way you write says a
lot about you. This
assignment requires your
best formal writing.
There is no place for
abbreviations, slang, or
other colloquial language.
PAPER
• You are limited to the number of words or
pages (approximately 6-10 pages). Use
that space, but make sure the information
you are including is what is most relevant.
• Judges and teachers will be reading your
paper on their own. You won’t be there to
defend it. Make sure the paper and the
argument speak for themselves.
PAPER
• Make sure your thesis is clear. Just
because you have your thesis presented on
a separate page does not mean that it
shouldn’t be clear from your introduction
what your argument is.
PAPER
• There is a place for visuals in a paper. It is
in the Appendices, but remember to only
include maps, charts, or photos that are
relevant and referred to, or addressed
explicitly, in the body of the paper.
• Style and format must be consistent. This
applies to citations, type, font, spacing,
margins, etc.
What do you think makes a good History Fair
DOCUMENTARY?
A documentary reflects the ability of the student(s) to
use audiovisuals to communicate the significance of
their topic. Think about films you have seen in class, on
PBS, or the History Channel. Your documentary will be
a mini version of that. A PowerPoint is NOT acceptable
as a documentary or History Fair project.
Sample Documentary
Or click here to go to Chicago History Fair Documentary Samples
What did you observe?
What makes a good documentary?
• Use a variety of visual and audio
techniques: still images, moving
images, narration.
• Be aware of the 10 minute limit and
don’t forget the credits.
• You or your group members must do
all of the recording and narration
• Seriously limit or avoid text. Visuals
and Audio should make up the
majority of your documentary
• Your documentary must be able to
run on its own, without you there, so
make sure you’ve covered
everything in the video
Documentary
Guidelines
•
Make an argument! Present it in the
beginning and make time to come back
to it at the end so the viewer leaves
knowing the message of your film
•
Divide your documentary into
sections. Treat them like you would
body paragraphs of an essay. It makes
it easier for the viewer to follow your
claims
•
Visuals should match the message
•
Spend time writing and editing your
script. Speak slowly and clearly
•
Sound effects or music should never
detract or drown-out the narration
•
As always, this is a project about
History and Research. The Quality of
Presentation is important, but not as
important as content. Don’t sacrifice
substance for style. Ideally, you want
both.
Documentary
Guidelines
What do you think makes a good History Fair
PERFORMANCE?
This is an opportunity for you to create a play that
conveys a historical argument with dramatic appeal.
Although performances are usually a highlight at any
History Fair competition, they are not for everyone. A
performance is NOT an oral report or a dramatic
reading of someone else’s work. You create the
characters, script, costumes and props.
Sample Performance
Or click here to go to Chicago History Fair Documentary Samples
What did you observe?
What makes a good performance?
Performance
Guidelines
•
Be aware of the time limit. Use all
ten minutes. That will usually mean
about 5 pages of script.
•
Do not use your script during the
performance.
•
Choose a topic / argument that you
can express dramatically.
•
Focus on a moment in history, not a
person’s life or a long timeline of
events
•
Think about what makes a good
play. What message are you going to
convey to the audience and how can you
do that most effectively?
•
Sets and props don’t have to be
elaborate, but they should be useful
/ further the argument or plot.
Sometimes less can be more.
Performance
Guidelines
•
Establish the scene and argument
right away. It is important to make
your argument clear to the audience.
•
Make sure you incorporate
evidence. After the performance
your audience should be able to
understand the basic outline of your
argument (thesis, evidence, analysis)
•
Historical accuracy and context are
important. Include historical figures
and evidence but use them
appropriately.
•
Review and edit your script. You
must Practice, Practice, Practice
•
Speak slowly, speak loudly.