As the result of the installation of the Certificate of Secondary Education, some method was needed for examining the student in history, one of the subjects constituting the work for the certificate. This report is the result of a study to define and outline what a part of the larger history exam should be, the individual term paper or "Personal Topic" as labeled in England. In the course of study such questions were asked as: 1) what is the role of the Personal Topic in the history curriculum; 2) can the Personal Topic be used to measure interest, curiosity, insight, analytical skills, and comprehension of historical concepts; and, 3) does the preparation of the Personal Topic prepare the student for the Certificate of Secondary Education examination? After a series of interviews with teachers, administration of tests to students, and tabulation of student ratings of the Personal Topics Papers, the study committee concluded with 13 separate recommendations which all generally supported the use of the Personal Topic as an effective learning device in history. In addition, SO 000 825 and SO 000 919 are related booklets. (CWB)