I’ve qualified for the state competition in the National History Day contest and could use some advice! I wrote a paper on comfort women and will be competing in Tallahassee, Florida. My goal is to advance to the national level, which may be a long shot, but I’m reaching out to see if anyone who has experience at nationals or knows someone who has can offer some guidance. I’ve received feedback suggesting that I need greater variability in my sources and more primary sources, but I’m not sure how to elevate my paper to the next level. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
I made it to states for national history day competition and need advice
Congratulations on making it to states! That’s an incredible achievement! Here are some tips that might help you improve your paper and possibly make it to nationals:
Source Diversity: Aim for a balance of primary and secondary sources. Since your topic is about comfort women, look for memoirs, letters, or interviews from survivors for primary sources. Documentaries or oral histories could also provide valuable perspectives.
Engage with Counterarguments: Address differing viewpoints related to comfort women. This can show judges that you’ve not only researched widely but also understood the complexities of the topic.
Thematic Structure: Ensure your paper flows well by organizing it thematically rather than chronologically or purely fact-based. This can help convey your main arguments more effectively.
Incorporate Scholarly Analysis: Integrate analyses from historians or scholars who have studied comfort women, addressing their different interpretations or conclusions. This can help reinforce the depth of your research.
Emphasize the Broader Impact: Connect your topic to larger themes in history, such as wartime sexual violence or gender equality. This can make your paper resonate more with judges.
Editing for Clarity and Style: After revising for content, focus on your writing style. Ensure it’s clear and concise. Reading your paper out loud can help catch awkward phrasing.
Practice Presenting: If there’s a presentation component, practice summarizing your paper’s main points succinctly. Consider how to engage your audience.
Feedback from Others: Seek feedback from teachers, peers, or mentors who can offer a fresh perspective. They might catch things you’ve missed or provide new insights.
Stay Confident and Passionate: Your enthusiasm for the topic can be contagious. Make sure that shines through in your writing and presentation.
Good luck! You’ve already accomplished so much by making it to states, and with some focused revisions, you may just make it to nationals!