Word Count: Submissions must be approximately 250–400 words in length. (This word count does not include the title, footnotes/endnotes, or bibliography.)
Framework for judging: Projects will be judged on quality of historical research and analysis and clarity of approach.
Font and Page Style: Submissions must be written in Times New Roman, 12-point font with one-inch margins at the top, bottom, and sides. Essays must be free of teacher comments/corrections or other notes.
Primary Sources: Submissions must integrate primary source documents pertaining to World War II and the service of the featured individual.
Secondary sources: Top projects will use scholarly secondary sources, not textbooks.
Citations: The best submissions will have clear, complete, and consistent citations. Students must document their sources and evidence using any one of the following formats: MLA, APA, or Chicago Manual of Style/Turabian. Online sources must be cited using creator/author, title, and publisher as well as URLs.
Bibliography: Each submission is required to include a bibliography listing all sources, dividing the bibliography between primary and secondary sources.