What Type of Project Should I Do?

Deciding the medium you want to display your research through is a very important part of your NHD process. As I breakdown the components of each category, keep in mind your strengths and weaknesses to determine which type of project is best for you. The collage below shows the 5 different project variations.

---

1. Documentary

Creating a Documentary is the category I have the most experience with (I have posted my own documentary along with another national winning documentary on this website for reference). You must be able to use photos, films, music, audio, and a computer to produce an effective documentary. Work must be original!

Making a documentary is a good fit if you:

• enjoy using technology and have a computer available

• are comfortable with handling software such as iMovie or WeVideo (or have prior experience in Film seminars)

• have enough photographs to use that relate to your topic (documentaries are mainly comprised of photo and video clips)

2. Exhibit

When students see examples of Exhibits online or in person, many are left in awe at the large presence. Though it may seem daunting, crafting an exhibit allows for more "artistic freedom" and creativity as long as you stick to the historical information. I must admit that viewing exhibits is one of my favorite parts of the competition!

Making an exhibit is a good fit if you:

• like to be hands-on and physically make a diorama or a board

• can explain your project best through pictures (there is a 500 word limit on exhibits)

• have access to building materials (cardboard, paper, photos)

3. Website

Similar to documentaries, Websites also use technology and development programs. Websites are interactive and need to be engaging (photos, videos, interviews, maps, etc). I like to think of websites like online Exhibits (except the word limit is 1200 words).

Making a website is a good fit if you:

• have a computer and internet access

• enjoy having the freedom to use different colors or fonts to express your topic

• can explain your topic using photos or other links (not having to depend on writing down everything)

4. Performance

If you love the feeling of presenting and putting "spice" into a historic topic, then performance is the category for you. While many become intimidated by stage fright and creative freedom, performances are still a very powerful and effective medium for communicating your research to the audience.

Performing is a good fit if you:

• can memorize lines and plots- since performances are live, you need to be able to remember the information you scripted and not fear being in front of a large crowd

• have the materials for props and costumes

• can convey your topic in a creative (and sometimes dramatic) form that doesn't compromise the historic information

5. Paper

I think it is quite obvious when people say you should only do a paper if you love to write. Since the paper is composed of paragraphs explaining your topic, the write grammar (see what I did there...don't do something like that if you decide on doing a paper) and words are very important.

Writing a paper is a good fit if you:

• like to write-- your entire project is researching and writing..you can't get bored after the first page of writing!

• can effectively portray your topic without the use of photos or films

• work well individually (there is no group paper category)

---

In the end, choose a medium that most interests you and plays to personal strengths or the collective ability of the team.

Don't forget that you are required to produce an annotated bibliography for all mediums and a process paper for all categories except the paper

(for more information on annotated bibliography and process papers read my article, "Annotated Bibliographies & Process Papers").

If you would like even more information on each of the categories click here

To view the NHD Rulebook click here

Have Fun!!