National History Day Project

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National History Day Project

• Process Paper

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National History Day ProjectProcess Paper

• What is a Process Paper?

A description explaining how you conducted your
research and created and developed your
entry. Your description must conclude with an
explanation of the relationship of your topic to
the contest theme, Debate Diplomacy in
History Successes, Failures, and Consequences.
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National History Day ProjectProcess Paper

• What are the parts of a Process Paper?

Title Page Four Sections Annotated Bibliography
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National History Day ProjectProcess Paper

• What is the Title Page?

The first page of written material in every
category Must include only Title of your
entry Your name(s) The contest division and
category in which you are entered.
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National History Day ProjectProcess Paper
Title
Michigan A State Divided No
More Ellen Kuhn Junior
Division Individual Performance
Your Name
Division
Category
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National History Day ProjectProcess Paper

• What Is Included in the Body of the Process
  Paper?

A description in 500 words or less of how you
conducted your research and created your
entry. It must include four sections.
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National History Day ProjectProcess Paper

• What Is Included in Section 1 of the Process
  Paper?

Explains how you chose your topic Should
include your thesis statement
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National History Day ProjectProcess Paper
On vacation every year, when my sisters and
I were younger, we would always fight for the
seats in the car for the first glimpse of the
Mackinac Bridge towers. Once we reached the
bridge, we would stop at a small beach near the
foot of the bridge, take pictures, and gaze at
the incredible beauty of the structure. This
forty-three-year-old engineering marvel has
forever changed life in Michigan. It was while
visiting the Mackinaw City Bridge Museum that I
began to consider preparing my project on this
structure for it has certainly proved to be a
turning point in history. (You must develop your
own argument of the historical impact of the
person, event, pattern or idea you are studying.
The point you make is called a thesis statement.
Your thesis statement explains what you believe
to be the impact and significance of your topic
in history.)
Thesis Statement
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National History Day ProjectProcess Paper

• What Is Included in Section 2 of the Process
  Paper?

Explains how you conducted your research
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National History Day ProjectProcess Paper
I purchased three videos that were key
secondary sources for my project. These three
sources helped me to understand what life was
like in the two peninsulas before the bridge, and
how that way of life was altered by the
construction of the Mackinac Bridge. Additional
secondary sources were found on the Internet, at
Washington Pennsylvanias library, the Washington
and Jefferson Library, and the Carnegie Library
of Pittsburgh.
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National History Day ProjectProcess Paper
Through my efforts, I located my most
important primary source, Lawrence A. Rubin, the
original Executive Secretary of the Mackinac
Bridge Authority. Mr. Rubin is the foremost,
living authority on the Mackinac Bridge, and he
helped me understand the many turning points that
the bridge facilitated, such as better medical
services and education for the Upper Peninsula.
Numerous articles and books dealing with the
Mackinac Bridge and written by its designer,
David B. Steinman, were extremely helpful. They
provided me with insights into the aerodynamic
stability of the bridge and turning points that
bridges brought about. Additionally, I visited
the State Library of Michigan for many more
important sources.
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National History Day ProjectProcess Paper

• What Is Included in Section 3 of the Process
  Paper?

Explains how you selected your presentation
category and created your project
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National History Day ProjectProcess Paper
I chose to present my findings in the form
of performance because I love to act. In my
drama, I portray a man waiting for the ferries,
in order to catch a glimpse of what life was like
before the bridge and to assess the event that
was a turning point in history. I then portray
Dr. Steinman to examine his revolutionary ideas
in bridge building design. Finally, I depict Mr.
Lawrence A. Rubin to analyze the numerous
benefits for the Upper Peninsula and the people
that were crucial to the building of the Mackinac
Bridge.
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National History Day ProjectProcess Paper

• What Is Included in Section 4 of the Process
  Paper?

Explains how your project relates to the NHD
theme
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National History Day ProjectProcess Paper
The completion of the Mackinac Bridge
clearly is an important turning point in history.
This structure provided the first permanent
connection of the two peninsulas of Michigan.
The residents of the Upper Peninsula will never
again feel insolated and their quality of life is
improved. Trade, travel, and tourism have boomed
thanks to the bridge. From an engineering
viewpoint, this was the first suspension bridge
in the world to be aerodynamically perfect.
Through its design, other suspension bridges have
become safer and longer. In reflecting on the
potential impact of his achievements, David B.
Steinman stated, In human hearts was born the
plan a bridge of peace, uniting man. Our sons
will have the span we wrought the world the
dream for which we fought.
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National History Day ProjectProcess Paper
You can view other sample process papers at
www.nhd.org Click on Contest on the red menu
bar. Click on Creating an Entry on left.
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National History Day ProjectProcess Paper
What Is Included in the Annotated Bibliography?
List only sources that contributed to your
project Include visual materials and oral
interviews Separate Primary and Secondary
Sources Annotate each source to explain how you
used the source and how it helped you understand
your topic
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National History Day ProjectProcess Paper
What does an Annotated Bibliography look like?
Annotated Bibliography Primary
Sources Ruggiero, Adriane. American Voices From
WWII. Tarrytown Benchmark Books,
2003. Print. This book provided eyewitness
accounts from soldiers during WWII. It also
provided reports from the military that I used in
my research. Secondary Sources Editors of
American Heritage. D-Day The Invasion of
Europe. New York American Heritage, 1962.
Print. The author provided research for
different activities that happened in the
beginning of combat. It discussed how many
people died at sea and in various battles.
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National History Day ProjectProcess Paper
Information for this PPT was taken from
www.nhd.org and prepared by Ms. Angelette, SMS
Librarian