How To Construct a Great History Day Exhibit
So, you have decided to create an exhibit for your History Day project. Displays are unique, eye-catching, and visually attractive. Start early. This will take you a lot longer than you think. Neatness is very important. You are limited to 500 of your own words, which include titles, subtitles, captions, and parenthetical references. Primary sources quotes are NOT part of the 500 word limit. Your board should have lots of primary sources displayed, such as pictures, documents, journal or diary entries, letters, and quotes. Do not write an essay and place it on your board.
You will need to purchase or construct a 3-sided board or a differently shaped free-standing display, no larger than 40 inches wide, 30 inches deep, and 6 feet high. You will probably want to display some things on the table in front of the board as well. Next, cover your background for an eye-catching display. You can use contact paper, cloth, paint wrapping paper, burlap, felt, etc. You may want to outline the edges of the board. Do not place your materials on to a plain board.
Once your background is done, you’re ready to plan where your materials will go. Layout everything, stand back, take a look, move things around until you think it is perfectly placed. Don’t glue anything until your know exactly where everything will go. Gluing is your last step.
Speaking of glue, I like to use a hot glue gun. I think it works best. Velcro is great too, but expensive. I also like double stick tape. Don’t use white glue, glue stick, tape that can be seen, or spray adhesive.
Now, for the contents:
· Put your name(s) and period(s) on the back of the board. Put the title in the top center of the board. Your thesis statement should be underneath the title. You may want to organize your information by using subtitles.
· You want to put a background behind every picture, document, and caption you put on the board. You could use construction paper or for a more dramatic effect, foam board. Edges should be perfectly straight and neat. All writing should be typed.
· Lettering for titles and subtitles must be very neat. It is strongly suggested you use stencils or a computer, unless you are very creative and can do calligraphy or free-hand lettering.
· Photos and copies of documents must be visibly clear. Blurry, distorted photos will not do.
· Color is really important in a display. Plan this carefully. Go for bold, bright colors whenever possible
· Think about the possibilities of making it 3-D. Attractive headers are eye-catching. Manipulatives attract an audience. You can also use music, if appropriate.
· Remember everything you put on the board should be relevant to the topic. Background, color, graphics, and symbols should have some connection to the topic.
· Captions: Every picture or document should have a caption underneath explaining what the item is and how it relates to your thesis. Use your words carefully. You are limited to 500 words.
· If you are using a direct quote from someone, do this: “I have not yet begun to fight” Captain John Paul Jones. By the way, Captain John Paul Jones counts as 4 words, but the quote does not.
· Information should include a parenthetical reference. A parenthetical reference looks like (Townsend 10). See instructions below or check website for further information.
Medieval Europe was a place both of “raids, pillages, slavery, and extortion” and of “traveling merchants, monetary exchange, towns if not cities, and active markets in grain” (Townsend 10).
The parenthetical reference indicates that the quotes came from page 10 of a work by Townsend. The reader should be able to locate this work in the list of works cited:
Townsend, Robert M. The Medieval Village Economy. Princeton: Princeton, 1993.
· Your complete annotated bibliography and title page should be displayed in front of your display. Do not attach it to your exhibit.
On the day your project is due: I will be here by 7:00 am. You can drop off your board in the morning. Remember, no late projects will be accepted.
Open House: We will have an open house to display all of the History Day projects. The date and time will be announced. Your exhibit will be set up in the cafeteria. You need to come and get it that night or arrange for someone to pick it up. Exhibits can be removed from the cafeteria ½ hour before closing. Do not throw away your exhibits. You will find out if your exhibit will go on to the district competition after the Open House. Boards can be recycled and used again for next year or another project.