Choosing a Working Title
From National History Day and Beginning Historical Research
Selecting a Title:
The topic and the issue selected will be reflected in the title of an entry. Titles do two things for an
audience. First, they explain immediately what the topic is, and second, they can give a clue about the
student’s point of view on the topic. A properly worded title will prepare the audience for what they will
see in the entry. It will also tie the topic to the annual theme. While it is important for students to have a
working title during the process of creating an entry, the final wording of the title is often one of the last
things done by the student(s). This allows them to create a title that accurately reflects the contents of
the entry rather than tie them to a preconceived conclusion.
Sample Titles
The Battle of Gettysburg: Turning the Tides of War
Clara Lemlich: Taking a Stand for Working Women
Air Conditioning: Cooling and Shifting the Population
The Treaty of 1868: Compromise Gone Wrong
More Sample Titles (Theme 2006: “Taking a Stand in History”)
Copernicus: Challenging an Earth-Centered Universe
Protest at the 1968 Miss America Pageant: Taking a Stand Against Media Images of Women
Kwame Nkrumah: Taking a Stand for African Independence
Notice how these titles use key words or concepts from the year’s theme.