Research Guides: National History Day: Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History : SJC Essay Resources

NHD Essay Curriculum: Section 1: Hooks

This National History Day Curriculum was written especially for northwestern New Mexico students by San Juan College librarian Jennifer Goodland. There are no restrictions on printing, distributing, or republication of any of these materials. Please use these materials in your classroom!

NHD Essay Hooks: Student Guide
A good essay hook lets the audience know what your essay is about and draws your reader in. This guide asks students to analyze what makes a good essay hook.
NHD Essay Hooks: Teacher Guide
A teacher's guide to the NHD Essay Hooks student activity.
NHD Essay Thesis Examples: Teacher Guide
How do you write a good thesis statement? How do you improve a thesis statement? This guide helps teachers walk students through good thesis statement formation.

NHD Essay Curriculum: Section 2: Blueprints

NHD Essay Blueprint: Student Activity
An activity that helps students construct a good plan for their essays.
NHD Essay Blueprint Takehome: Middle School
A takehome activity to help middle school essay students plan their entries.
NHD Essay Blueprint Takehome: High School
A takehome activity that helps students in high school plan their essays.
NHD Essay Blueprint: Teacher Guide
A teacher guide that helps walk students through a good essay plan and blueprint.

NHD Essay Curriculum: Section 3: Pitfalls

NHD Essay Red Flags Checklist
Avoiding common essay red flags.
NHD Essay Pitfalls: Student Guide
A student activity helping to avoid common NHD essay pitfalls.
NHD Essay Pitfalls: Teacher Guide
A teacher's guide to the student activity about avoiding common NHD essay pitfalls.

NHD Essay Curriculum: Section 4: Source Selection

NHD Essay Source Selection Student Guide
A guide to selecting and incorporating sources into your NHD Essay.
NHD Essay Source Selection Take-home Guide
A take-home guide for source selection for your NHD Essay.
NHD Essay Quick Reference
A quick reference guide to the NHD Essay.
NHD Essay Source Selection Teacher Guide
A teacher's guide to the NHD Essay source selection exercise.
Working with Racist Language in Historical Sources
Many historical sources use language that is outdated, hurtful, and prejudiced or bigoted. This guide helps students navigate this language and see the importance of not sanitizing history.
Declaration of Independence Text
Printer-friendly text of the Declaration of Independence, plus questions for classroom guidance and analysis.

National Archives: Declaration of Independence
See a facsimile of the Declaration of Independence, and enjoy links to documents that influenced and analyzed the Declaration.

Declaration of Independence Deleted Passage
Why did Thomas Jefferson choose to delete a passage about slavery? This guide explores Jefferson's compromise in softening the language to appease the most ardent pro-slavery colonies.
Abigail Adams: Remember the Ladies
"All men are created equal" specifically and deliberately excluded women. Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams and future First Lady, wrote to her husband that women's rights must be preserved.
NHD Wrap-up and Road Map Teacher Guide
A teacher's guide to NHD Essay activities and a road map for next steps.