Idea for history contest

[King Henry V]

As the Writing contest vote is underway in the Mead Hall, I had an idea. Why not have a similar competition in the Monastery? The winner would get the Historian award under their username and a prize. Runner up would also get a prize. The contest would be very much like the writing one: write something maximum 2000 words long on an historical subject of you choice. Does anyone like the idea?

[edyzmedieval]

Awesome!!! I love it!!!!

I'm the first to register.....

[Kagemusha]

I also like your idea King Henry V.

[Proletariat]

Cool idea, Henry.

[KukriKhan]

Gregoshi returns from a fishing trip sometime this Wednesday. Maybe you guys could flesh out your ideas in the meantime, and see if he likes it (it helps to have someone on staff run such contests so that threads and polls get managed directly).

[edyzmedieval]

Henry said it.

A 2000 word story about your favourite historical fact. Simple as that.

[Ser Clegane]

Sounds like a very good and interesting idea

Should it be more like a fact-based report or more something like a commentary (i.e., including the author's opinion on historical events)?

[edyzmedieval]

I think with a author's view.

Oh well, it depends. Let's see what good ol'Greg says. He's the moderator. (and the judge )

[King Henry V]

Sounds like a very good and interesting idea

Should it be more like a fact-based report or more something like a commentary (i.e., including the author's opinion on historical events)?

I think a factual report with the author's view expressed in the conclusion if they wish would be the best option.

[TosaInu]

Let's see what good ol'Greg says. He's the moderator. (and the judge )

Good idea. I think we need some more judges.

[sapi]

Great idea!!!

Should it be more like a fact-based report or more something like a commentary (i.e., including the author's opinion on historical events)?

imo it should be a commentary, facts you can get from a textbook

[King Henry V]

So Gregoshi is back, what's the verdict?

[IliaDN]

Good idea. I think we need some more judges.

Maybe those who have history awards?

[Gregoshi]

So Gregoshi is back, what's the verdict?

Splunge.



Seriously, the idea has merit. I think making it a commentary with supporting facts demonstrates the writer's historical thinking much more so than just regurgitating facts. As for judging, my first reaction was to follow the Mead Hall contest's lead and have patron voting. However, upon reflection, due to some of the potential controversial or unpopular views that may be expressed ("Alexander the Great: Greek or Macedonia?" anyone?), the best written piece might not win simply because of disagreement with the conclusion. A small panel of fair and impartial judges might be best. As for having the History Award winners be judges, I think I'd rather read whatever they might write about rather than keep them out of the contest by making them judges...unless they wouldn't want to participate. As for who would be good selections for judging, that requires a bit more thought.

[Advo-san]

I m really sceptical about a history contest... Because:

1) Historical events either happened or they didn't, so how can you vote about whether something is real or not? Reality is not a majority's decision.

2) The interpretation of historical events (since it is a point of view) could be the object of a voting, each vote awarding the rational but also creative approach of historical events. But, conditio sine qua non of such a poll would be the unanimous acceptance of historical events, of what was and what was not. And such a unanimity is far from being a reality in this forum.

So, I would suggest you either a) organised a history contest about events whose reality is not debated-if there are any, or b) let the patrons go on writing their own opinions about both history and its interpretation, without votings that do not comply with the concept of history.
Anyway, I agree with Gregoshi about the small panel of judges and I wish God illuminates him in his quest of finding them.

[The Stranger]

can i be a judge can i,,,,pleasseee