Wilkinson Junior High School

Debate and Diplomacy

Definition• Debate:

o an argument over an idea, can be a formal debate between 2 people (Presidential debates), or discussions between many people over a specific topic

• Diplomacy: o international affairs, countries that have agreements or differences

and work together to solve those differences or sometimes resort to violence

Debate and Diplomacy

• Diplomacy: o International affairs, countries that have agreements or

differences and work together to solve those differences or sometimes resort to violence

What is History Fair and National History Day?

• Over half a million students participate• Choose a historical topic related to the annual

theme• Conduct primary and secondary research• You will look through libraries, archives and

museums, conduct oral history interviews, and visit historic sites.

• Present work in one of five ways: as a paper, an exhibit, a performance, a documentary, or a web site.

What are the types of projects we can create?

Exhibit  • Tells the story about its creator(s) view of a special subject in

as few words as possible displayed on a presentation board.• Highlight what is important, while eliminating distractions.  • Not just a science fair project!

Documentaries• May use videotapes, computer generated DVD's, or a

PowerPoint presentation to tell about a historic entry related to the theme. 

• Requires many visual materials

Performances• use research to present a historically accurate speech or

play • may include costumes and props

Historical Papers• using research to write a carefully constructed and  creative

paper. • will also be interviewed about their topic or research

Historical Websites• create a website that is a computer-based version of your

paper and argument• must use textual and non-textual objects (pictures, music,

etc)

What are the types of projects we can create?

How many people can work on a project?

•Exhibits Alone or in groups up to three

•Documentaries Alone or in groups up to three

•Performances Groups of up to five students

•Historical Papers Individual Only

•Historical Websites Individual Only

Debate and Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, Consequences

• Choose a topic that fits this theme

• May use topics at the community, state, national, or world history level

• Choose a debate or a diplomatic event

Debate and Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, ConsequencesExamples of Debates

• Lincoln/Douglas debates over slavery

• Kennedy/Nixon debates- first ones on TV

• Rock 'N Roll causes children to commit crimes

• Rock 'N Roll causes drug abuse

Examples of Diplomacy

• International conferences or treaties

• Many broken treaties between US and Native Americans

• Diplomacy during Cold War era

• Missouri Compromise

Debate and Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, Consequences• Not just a collection of facts• Must analyze your topic for deeper thought• Required to think of your topic's successes, failures, and

consequences

o What made your topic a success or failure?o Was it a success at first and did it fail later on?  What groups

succeeded or failed?  Why or why not?o What were the immediate or short term consequences of your topic? o How does your topic have long term impact?  How did it change

history?

NHD 2009

Exhibit

Exhibit

Performance

• http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5512003732459677679&q#

Documentary

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCxf9eYWiaM