NATIONAL HISTORY DAY GRADING GRID
GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
Name(s)_______________________________________________________________________________________
Entry Title____________________________________________________
Category_____________________
HISTORICAL QUALITY
_____Historical Accuracy
1. Project has several historical inaccuracies.
2. Project is mostly historically accurate, but there are some inaccuracies.
3. Project is completely historically accurate.
_____ Analysis and Interpretation
1. The entry is mainly descriptive, demonstrates little use of analysis or interpretation.
2. The entry is a mixture between analysis, interpretation and description.
3. The entry provides analysis and interpretation of the historical data.
_____ Historical Context
1. Entry fails to place topic in large historical context.
2. The entry demonstrates some understanding of historical context but not fully developed.
3. The entry demonstrates an understanding of the historical context (place in history) of the topic.
_____ Varying Perspectives
1. Entry is mostly one sided or is not balanced.
2. Entry attempts do present various perspectives but does not fully develop all sides.
3. The entry demonstrates a balanced presentation (differences of opinion; various types of materials)
_____ Primary Sources
1. Primary sources are not utilized.
2. The entry uses primary sources but is focused on secondary sources.
3. The entry demonstrates the use of available primary sources.
Total points for Historical Quality ______ X 5=_________
CLARITY OF PRESENTATION
_____ Visual Impact
1. Entry does not make a visual impact; it lacks in originality and imagination.
2. Entry makes a visual impact but needs improvement in organization, originality, creativity or imagination.
3. The entry has visual impact. It shows careful planning and organization. It is original, creative, and
imaginative in its presentation.
_____ Quality of Work
1. Entry is not an example of quality work. Language mistakes are made throughout project.
2. Entry is an example of quality work, but there are 2 to 3 mistakes.
3. The entry is an example of quality work. (language is used correctly, written and/or spoken).
_____ Mastery of Topic
1. Few questions are answered completely, student(s) rely on project to answer questions.
2. Questions are answered but not thoroughly, mastery of topic is not demonstrated.
3. All questions are answered effectively, showing mastery of topic.
_____ Verbal Clarity of Presentation
1. Presentation demonstrates little to no evidence of preparations or rehearsal.
2. Presentation is clear but, presentation was not polished ore demonstrates adequate rehearsal.
3. Verbal clarity (presentation is understood) and confidence (evidence of preparation or rehearsal) is
demonstrated.
Total points for Clarity of Presentation ______ X 5=_________
NATIONAL HISTORY DAY GRADING GRID
GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
Relationship to Theme
_____ Relationship to theme
1. The connection between topic and NHD theme is a stretch or is not fully explained.
2. Topic somewhat relates to theme but relationship has not been fully developed, or significance to NHD is
not thoroughly explained.
3. Entry clearly relates to theme, and explains themes importance. Topic significance to NHD theme is
thoroughly explained.
_____ Historical significance
1. An attempt to place topic in broader range is made but not successfully.
2. Significance of topic is developed but may not stress importance to social, economic, political or cultural
aspects of history.
3. Historical significance of topic is fully developed in relation to Social, economic, political and cultural
aspects of history.
Total points for Relationship to Theme ______ X 5=_________
Process Paper and Bibliography
_____ Title Page
0. One or more of the required items is missing from title page
1. Title of entry, Student(s) name(s), Contest Division (Senior Division), and Entry Category are all on the title
page, nothing else is on the page.
_____ Process Paper
0 No Process Paper is provide
1 Process paper is more than 500 words or is missing more than 2 of the requirements.
3 Process paper is no more than 500 words but is missing 1 or 2 of the requirements.
5 Process paper meets following requirements in no more than 500 words. 1. Explains how you chose your
topic, 2. explains how you conducted your research, 3. explains how you selected your category and
created your project, 4. Explains how you selected your category and created your project.
_____ Annotated Bibliography
0 No bibliography is provided
1 Entry has a bibliography but it is missing more than one of the NHD requirements or is missing
annotations.
3 Entry is missing One of the NHD requirements or annotations are not fully developed.
5 Meets all requirements (CRB Rule 15, pp 10-11) 1. All sources are listed which contributed to the
development of entry, 2. Annotations for each source must explain how the source was used and how it
helped you to understand your topic, and 3. it is separated into Primary and Secondary sources
demonstrating wide research.
_____ Quality
1 Entry is not an example of quality work
2 Materials are of quality work but has 3-5 mistakes in grammar, spelling, mechanics, and formatting.
3 All materials are quality work and meet the following standards: 1. Correct grammar, spelling, mechanics,
and format. 2. Typed on plain white paper, stapled in top left corner. 3. No covers, folders, or binders are
allowed.
Total points for Process Paper and Bibliography______ X 10=________
NHD Rules
_____ Rules
0 Two or more NHD category rules were broken
2 One NHD category rules were violated.
3 Entry meets all NHD rules and requirements for that specific category. (Size, Time Requirements, word
count and use of Media.)
Total points for NHD Rules_________ X 5=___________
Total Points __________ / 320