California Youth Leadership Council Resources
What is an Exhibit?
An exhibit is a physical display of information, research, and analysis. It is created to be eye-catching and attractive, while still informing viewers on the topic. It is important to create a balance between visual satisfaction and historic explanation.
Rules
General rules for an exhibit include:
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Your exhibit must be an original creation
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Your exhibit must correctly portray your historical evidence
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Your exhibit must include your analysis
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Your exhibit must include visual and textual evidence, but shouldn't be overwhelming
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Your exhibit must not be larger than 40 inches wide, 30 inches deep, and 72 inches tall
Exhibit Rule Book
Exhibit Judging Rubric
Exhibit Map
Visit the following resources to help create your Exhibit!
Where to Start
A step-to-step guide on how to start creating your exhibit!
1. Gather your research - collect your primary and secondary sources needed to get the full picture of your topic. This is where you should become an expert on your topic! Journal, newspaper, and some website articles are a great source of primary sources and can help give you the perspective of the public's view of your topic! Websites and books are great secondary sources that summarize your topic!
2. Gather your media - collect all the pictures that you will want to use in your exhibit! These can include images from the event, of the person, etc. These images can be printed and glued (taped, framed, etc) onto your exhibit.
3. Write and revise your thesis - make sure that you have a strong thesis that connects to the theme. Your thesis paragraph should be eye catching! It should be in the center of your exhibit. This is what judges will read first. (If you want more information on how to write a strong thesis, click here)
4. Format your exhibit - digitally or physically format your exhibit! Plan out everything before physically creating your exhibit because once you glue something, it's permanent! This includes mapping out where you want your different paragraphs to be placed, as well as any pictures, diagrams, or physical objects.
5. Buy and create your poster board - all exhibits must be no larger than 40 inches wide, 30 inches deep, and 72 inches tall (see picture below for reference).
Sample Exhibits
The Indian Removal Act of 1830: Conflicting Rights and Responsibilities
Nandu Sukesh
Senior Division
Individual Exhibit
2025 California 3rd Place Winner
A Step Outside Her Box: How Barbie Marked a Turning Point in Gender Expectations for Women
Sofia Jackson, Kelli Toshima, and Caitlyn Ko
Senior Division
Group Exhibit
2024 California NHD Finalist
The Right to Learn: Recognizing Responsibilities in Lau v. Nichols
Yesha Gupta
Junior Division
Individual Exhibit
2025 California 3rd Place Winner
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The Tet Offensive in the Living Room: A Turning Point in Public Opinion
Audrey Nguyen
Senior Division
Individual Exhibit
2024 California NHD Finalist
Tips
1. Start by developing strong content first.
Build substance and nuance early, especially since you only have 500 words to work with.
2. Be intentional with every word.
The word limit is very restrictive, so make sure every word respects all aspects of your topic and supports your argument.
3. Don’t over-focus on writing alone.
An exhibit is not a paper—visual presentation matters just as much as text.
4. Use visuals to tell the story.
Take advantage of images, documents, and design to help your audience see and experience the reality of your topic.
5. Choose a topic that allows for creativity.
Make sure your topic can be executed creatively so the exhibit format works in your favor.
6. Keep your topic focused and clear.
A focused topic makes it easier for viewers to follow your ideas and argument.
7. Avoid vague explanations.
Be specific and precise so your message is clear.
8. Use clear captions.
Captions should guide viewers and connect visuals back to your main argument.
9. Make text easy to read.
Use larger, bolder font sizes so your exhibit is legible for your audience.
10. Enhance impact with design choices.
Experiment with font styles or colors to help key information stand out.
11. Stay within the word count.
Carefully edit to remain under the limit. Judges count.
12. Review your exhibit multiple times.
Read and re-read all materials to catch small mistakes and ensure historical accuracy.