Evaluating Primary Sources: The Gettysburg Address

This Storyboard That activity is part of the lesson plans for History of the US Civil War




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Activity Overview

Abraham Lincoln’s expertly crafted “Gettysburg Address” is poignant and direct. While its brevity is allows many to memorize it, the power of its words addresses the human sacrifices of war. This document has been studied and celebrated by historians and politicians alike for more than two hundred years.

Students can create a story that captures the details of “The Gettysburg Address”. For each cell, they will depict one of the following the following: setting, main idea, evidence strengthening main idea, perspective/beliefs, audience, and significance. The completed storyboard can be assessed for the depth of knowledge acquired by the student.



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Template and Class Instructions

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Student Instructions

Create a storyboard that evaluates the Gettysburg Address, examining the main idea, setting, evidence, perspective, and significance of the document.

  1. Click "Start Assignment".
  2. Label each title box with Main Idea, Setting, Evidence, Perspective, and Significance.
  3. Write a summary for each in the description box.
  4. In each cell, create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.


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How To Analyze Primary Sources in Literature

1

Introduce Primary Sources

Have a detailed discussion with the students on primary sources. Teachers can explain why a source such as a particular text is considered a primary source and give examples of the types of primary sources. They can also discuss what kind of information can be extracted from primary sources.

2

Explain Historical Significance

Begin by explaining the historical significance and the cultural context of the primary source. For this purpose, teachers can select one primary source. In the case of the US Civil War, teachers can select the Gettysburg Address by Lincoln. Since students are well aware of the details of the war, they will be better able to understand the context of the address.

3

Extract Information

Ask the students to extract the information they think is the most important part of the address. Encourage them to present their information with evidence to support its significance. To collect the evidence, students can look into the impact of the address.

4

Analyze Writing and Speaking Style

Consider the tone, diction, and sentence structure of the speech. Describe how the language choice affects the tone and atmosphere at that time. Also, ask the students to discuss the way in which the speech was delivered and its impacts.

Frequently Asked Questions About Evaluating Primary Sources: The Gettysburg Address

Describe the Gettysburg Address.

President Abraham Lincoln gave a brief but important address known as The Gettysburg Address during the American Civil War. Following the Battle of Gettysburg, it happened on November 19, 1863, during the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

What is the significance of the Gettysburg Address?

The Gettysburg Address captures the heart of American ideas like equality, democracy, and unity of the nation. The address, which was given in the middle of a catastrophic civil war, reflects on the sacrifice made by troops and the effort to defend the founding ideals of the United States.

What did The Gettysburg Address aim to accomplish?

The Gettysburg Address's main goals were to reframe the meaning of the Civil War and to pay tribute to the men who had died at the Battle of Gettysburg. Lincoln stated that the country was committed to the idea that all men are created equal in order to promote the concepts of equality and national unity.

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History of the US Civil War



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