The Concord Review! You Should Prepare for It Too! History Research!

Today, I will be posting about The Concord Review.

The Concord Review is a prestigious journal where high school students conduct historical research and submit their papers. It is widely regarded as the most authoritative journal for high school students in the field of history.

If you are interested, you should consider submitting your work. Let me explain in detail how to prepare for it.

The Concord Review is an academic journal published quarterly, providing a platform for high school students to submit historical research papers. According to 2021 statistics, students whose papers were published in this journal were accepted into prestigious universities such as Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Oxford, UPenn, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale. While there have been no published statistics since 2021, many students have achieved great results through The Concord Review, and I believe it continues to have a positive impact on college admissions.

Particularly outstanding papers may receive awards such as the Fitzhugh Prize or the Emerson Prize. Students who win these awards tend to gain even better opportunities for college admissions. Having a paper published in The Concord Review is comparable to reaching the top level in the AMC math competition.

If you are considering submitting a paper, let me introduce you to the key details.

Submission Requirements for The Concord Review

• Eligibility: Only high school students can submit.

• Accepted Locations: Students from 46 U.S. states and various countries worldwide can apply.

• Topic Range: Any historical topic, covering ancient, medieval, and modern history.

• Submission Deadlines: February 1, May 1, August 1, November 1 (four times a year).

• Word Count: Previously 4,000-6,000 words, but now expanded to 5,000-10,000 words.

• Preparation Time: Varies by individual, but requires significant preparation time.

Having your research paper published in The Concord Review is considered an outstanding academic achievement. So how should you prepare for it?

Today, I will take a unique approach and first discuss the mistakes to avoid. By understanding what to steer clear of, you will know how to prepare effectively. Additionally, I will provide examples of poor and proper topic selection approaches.

Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing for The Concord Review

Simply describing historical events without analysis is not compelling.

For example, merely outlining the 19th-century Industrial Revolution is unappealing. If your research only restates textbook content, it lacks originality and depth, making it unsuitable for publication. Instead, you must interpret why an event was significant and analyze its impact on history.

Avoid choosing a topic that only discusses current events without a historical framework.

If you focus solely on modern issues, objective analysis becomes difficult, and political bias can seep in. History is best understood with the passage of time. If you wish to explore U.S.-China tensions, for example, provide historical context by comparing them with events like the 19th-century Opium Wars. Always incorporate historical background when selecting a topic.

Your research must be based on primary sources such as original documents, speeches, and policy reports.

Secondary sources, such as academic articles and news reports, can be used for citations but should not be the foundation of your paper. Using primary sources enhances credibility, making your research more valuable.

• Too Broad: "The Development of Democracy Worldwide" is too vast to analyze effectively.

• Too Narrow: "The March 14, 1965, Selma Protest" is too limited in scope, potentially leading to a lack of available research materials.

For example, instead of focusing solely on the Selma protest, a better topic would be "The Impact of the Selma March on the 1960s U.S. Civil Rights Movement." Expanding the scope slightly ensures you have enough material for thorough analysis.

A weak topic would be: "The Differences Between the American and French Revolutions."

Instead, you should analyze why these differences were significant and how they shaped modern democratic systems. For instance, discussing how each revolution influenced today’s political structures would provide a stronger analysis.

Never make value judgments.

For example, stating, "Socialism is a superior economic system to capitalism" or vice versa is inappropriate. Instead, compare how socialist and capitalist economies have evolved over time, using historical data and analysis rather than opinions.

Summary: What to Avoid

1. Narrative without Analysis

2. Contemporary Political Issues without Historical Context

3. Lack of Primary Sources

4. Overly Broad or Narrow Topics

5. Shallow Comparative Analysis

6. Lack of Academic Objectivity

By avoiding these mistakes, you can approach The Concord Review with a well-prepared research plan.

Examples of Proper Topic Selection

1. European Colonial Policies and Indigenous Responses During the Age of Exploration

• Bad Approach: Merely listing key battles and generalizing indigenous responses.

• Good Approach: Comparing how the Aztec and Inca Empires responded differently to Spanish colonization using primary sources.

2. U.S.-Soviet Space Race During the Cold War

• Bad Approach: Simply listing technological achievements.

• Good Approach: Analyzing how the space race influenced domestic policies in both countries, particularly in STEM education.

3. The Democratic Model of Pirates vs. European Monarchies in the 17th-18th Century

• Bad Approach: Describing pirate activities and battles.

• Good Approach: Examining how pirate governance systems were surprisingly democratic and comparing them to European monarchies.

The Concord Review values unique perspectives. Instead of simply labeling pirates as criminals, you can present an alternative view of them as communities operating under democratic systems—without making value judgments.

Final Thoughts

The Concord Review is undoubtedly a challenging and time-consuming endeavor. However, even if you do not win an award, completing this research cycle significantly enhances your academic development. I highly recommend that students start this process as early as possible.

If you have any questions about The Concord Review, please contact A-One Institute for further guidance.

Thank you!