Choosing a Category
Simply put, your research should determine your category selection-- not the other way around. Obviously, you are going to be drawn to a category that meets your personal strengths and presentation style. But we also encourage you to pick your category based on the type of resources you find through your research. For example….
Consider this...
You have chosen the Willey family as your topic. Perhaps you are exploring White Mountain History and learn about the Willey Family that died in a freak landslide. Which category would it be best to show your research in?
Here are some guidelines for choosing a category:
Here are some guidelines for choosing a category:
- Documentary if... you find a meaningful film clip, a lot of primary source photographs, a unique story worth telling, a lot of quotes from primary sources that you could read in a voice-over, you had a chance to interview an expert or person present during the historical event, or you have significant background with film editing and computer video programs.
- Exhibit if... you find lots of unique facts that speak for themselves, you have found many still images, cartoons, or documents.
- Paper if... your topic requires explanation, your thesis is better proved in writing, you found a lot of helpful secondary sources.
- Performance if... you found a unique story worth telling, your historical topic has a theatrical element like music or dance, or you have a strong theatrical background.
- Website if... your research uncovered a lot of tangential information that would be better described in multiple webpages, or you have experience with websites.
