*
In this webquest, you’ll investigate the real Civil War battle on
which the novel, The Red Badge of Courage, was based.
Mrs. A. Brown / Mrs. C. Porter
English 9--MCMHS
*
* This webquest will allow you to examine the life of an
American Civil War soldier. In this activity, you'll work independently.
* Pretend you are a journalist covering the Battle of Chancellorsville, which is the
actual battle that the book The Red Badge of Courage is based upon. Your first
decision is whether or not you are writing for a Union (Northern) newspaper, or
for a Confederate (Southern) newspaper. That will determine the mood of your
report.
* Your job is to get the facts about the battle: Where it was held, when it took
place, how long it lasted, what the result of the battle was, and who were the
important people involved in this battle. You should also have some information
on the casualties and any damage that was done to the civilians in the area.
* You should aim for a page for your newspaper. Give your paper a name, and if
possible, include an illustration.
* You will find websites with information and pictures in the “Process" section
of the webquest.
*
* You will be using the websites provided to learn about the
Battle of Chancellorsville. You will create a newspaper article
that describes the battle to your audience back home -- but
you have to decide if the newspaper you work for is a Southern
paper or a Northern one.
* Be sure to write in an interesting way so that the audience
wants to buy your paper. Add details that make the story vivid,
but be sure that your work is accurate.
* You may want to add illustrations such as Civil War photographs
or maps. You can use Microsoft Word or Microsoft Publisher.
*
* To write your newspaper, use the websites
given to find the following information:
* 1)
Where did the battle take place? You may want to include a map.
Give the distance from the closest major city.
* 2.) Who was involved? Where were the Union regiments from? Where
were the Confederate regiments from? Who were the commanding
officers? Were there any people who had a special or unusual role in
the battle?
* 3.)
How did the battle get underway? What was the strategy? How
many soldiers were killed or injured?
* 4.) When did the battle take place? How long did the battle last?
* http://www.nps.gov/frsp/chist.htm
* http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/chancellorsville.html
* http://www.civilwarhome.com/chancell.htm
* http://www.fold3.com/page/83001119_battle_of_chancellorsville/
* http://www.history.com/interactives/civil-war-150
*
*
* Your newspaper will be judged on the
following criteria:
* 1. Content. Did you give accurate and complete information? Did you
add details to make the report clearer?
* 2.) Writing style. Was your article interesting? Did it meet the correct
needs for your audience?
* 3.) Organization. Did the article have an engaging beginning that
made the reader want to continue? Did your topics transition
smoothly from one to another? Was the conclusion interesting and
informative?
* 4.) Grammar and mechanics. Did you spell everything correctly? Did
you use proper grammar? Did you check for typos?
Category
Exemplary
25
Standard
20
Developing
15
Below Stand.
10
Content
Your newspaper contains
accurate and thorough
information. You have
added many details to
bring the story to life.
Your newspaper contains
accurate information.
There are some details
present to make the story
more interesting.
Some of the information is
accurate, some is vague.
You have used a few
details but not enough to
add interest to the
article.
The story contains
inaccuracies, or the
details are too vague or
incomplete to make the
story meaningful.
Writing Style
Your writing style is very
interesting. You use vivid
verbs and creative
expressions. You think
about the audience and
direct the article toward
the audience’s needs.
The story is written in an
acceptable way, although
it is not consistently
interesting. There is some
passive speech. You don’t
always think of your
audience’s needs.
Your article tends to be
predictable. Some parts
are too wordy, some parts
are passive. You consider
the needs of the audience
only occasionally.
The writing style is choppy
or hard to understand.
The article is clichéd and
dull. You don’t consider
the needs of your
audience.
Organization
The article has an
interesting beginning that
makes the reader want to
know more. You have
clear transitions between
paragraphs. The
conclusion gives the
reader something to think
about.
The introduction is
interesting but not
exciting. There are
transitions between
paragraphs. The
conclusion many not be
particularly insightful.
The introduction is
minimal. You aren’t sure
where the paragraphs
should go. The conclusion
adds little to the article.
Your introduction and
conclusions are minimal or
nonexistent. The
paragraphs are
undeveloped.
Grammar and
Mechanics
You have clearly
proofread this for spelling,
run-ons, punctuation, and
other mechanics. There
are fewer than five errors.
You might have done a
brief proofread. There
are between 5-8 errors.
This wasn’t proofread very
well. There are errors you
should have caught.
This was clearly not
proofread. Your errors
interfere with the ability
to read this easily.
*
* How hard would it have been for the soldiers like Henry
Flemming to deal with the stresses of this battle?