I’m excited to share that I’ve qualified for the state competition of National History Day with my paper on comfort women! The event will take place in Tallahassee, Florida. My ultimate goal is to advance to the national level, and while I understand that it’s a tough challenge, I would greatly appreciate any advice from those who have experience competing at nationals or know someone who has. My feedback indicated that I need to include a wider range of sources, particularly more primary sources, but I’m unsure of how to elevate my paper to the next level. Any tips or insights would be tremendously helpful!
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Congratulations on making it to the state competition! That’s an impressive achievement, especially with a topic as significant as comfort women. Here are some tips that can help you elevate your paper and strengthen your chances for nationals:
Diversify Your Sources: As you received feedback, ensure that you include a mix of primary and secondary sources. Look for interviews, diaries, or memoirs of comfort women, as well as scholarly articles that analyze their experiences. Utilize online archives, libraries, and databases for access to lesser-known documents.
Engage with Perspectives: Incorporate different viewpoints on the topic. This could include perspectives from historians, survivors, and even critics of how the issue has been treated in historical narratives. This will enhance the depth of your analysis.
Structure and Clarity: Organize your paper logically. Ensure each section flows well into the next and that your argument builds progressively. Clear transitions and concise summaries of each point can improve readability.
Strong Thesis Statement: Your thesis should clearly convey the main argument of your paper. Make sure it’s specific, arguable, and reflective of the sources you’re incorporating.
Evidence and Analysis: Use specific evidence from your sources to support your claims, but don’t forget to analyze this evidence. Explain how it connects back to your thesis and what it reveals about the broader implications of your topic.
Incorporate Visuals: If allowed, consider including visuals like photographs, maps, or charts. They can enhance your paper and provide visual evidence that supports your argument.
Practice Your Presentation: If you have to present your paper, practice explaining your points clearly and confidently. Be ready to answer questions about your research and sources, so you can demonstrate your depth of knowledge.
Seek Feedback: Before submitting, consider sharing your paper with teachers, peers, or mentors who can provide constructive feedback. They might catch things you missed or offer new perspectives.
Stay Updated: Research recent developments or publications related to comfort women to ensure your paper reflects the most current scholarship. This can also give you fresh insights to include in your work.
Passion and Persistence: Make sure your passion for the topic shines through in your writing. Your enthusiasm can be contagious and may leave a lasting impression on judges.
Best of luck at the state competition! Regardless of the outcome, you’ve already accomplished something significant by getting this far.