The Process
There are seven steps in the process for this WebQuest. Follow the directions below for each task. Links to other sites will open in a new tab or window.
1. Learn about writing historical fiction.
Historical fiction is a genre of literature where the author describes historical events through the eyes of a fictitious character who experienced the events. The author may add additional fictional details as long as they do not change known historical events, such as changing the outcome of a battle.
The diary entries you are to write are a form of historical fiction. Review the tips in the following articles to get an idea of how to write historical fiction.
2. Conduct background research.
Before you can write your diary entries, you need to know about the Battle of Gettysburg. You also need to know something about the life of a soldier during the Civil War. Finally, you should read some diary entries from actual Civil War diaries to get ideas about how you might write your entries.
Battle of Gettysburg
Life of a Civil War Soldier
Civil War Diaries
- University of Iowa: Civil War Diaries and Letters Transcription Project
(Look in the lower right for completed diaries.) - University of Notre Dame: Manuscripts of the American Civil War
3. Create a short biography for each soldier.
The task requires you to write diary entries for a Union soldier and for a Confederate soldier. You will need to create a character for each. Use the following questions to help you develop each character.
- How old is your character?
- Is your character an officer or an enlisted man?
- Is your character a seasoned veteran, a new recruit, or something else?
- What kind of family does your character have? Is he married? Does he have any children? Is he a young man who just left his family?
- Did your character volunteer to serve, or was he drafted? What does he think of army life?
Write a paragraph about each character that answers the questions above. Have your teacher review your biographies before you write your diary entries.
4. Write the diary entries.
Your diary entries should total at least 500 words for each soldier. (1,000 words in all) Your diary entries should:
- contain a date for each entry
- be factually and historically accurate
- include details about the Battle of Gettysburg
- include sensory details—what did your characters see, hear, smell, or feel?
- reveal what your characters think or feel about the battle and its result
- show the differences in viewpoint of the North and South
5. Have a classmate do a peer review of your diary entries.
After you write your diary entries, have one of your classmates do a peer review of your diary using the evaluation rubric. Revise your diary entries as needed based on the feedback your receive.
6. Use the evaluation rubric to check your diary entries.
Use the evaluation rubric to do a self-assessment of your own work. Revise your diary entries as necessary based on your self-assessment.
7. Submit your completed diary entries for a grade.
Submit all of the following items to your teacher for a grade:
- diary entries
- character biographies
- completed self-assessment using the evaluation rubric
