Introduction
"The horror! The horror!"
As we finish reading Heart of Darkness in class, we will also be journeying down our own river of discoveries and knowledge! The Heart of Darkness was written by Joseph Conrad during a time of European Imperialism in Africa and helps illustrate this specific time in history.
It is your job during the reading and this WebQuest to gain contextual knowledge surrounding the book and time period. In addition, we will discuss how the various aspects of English Imperilism and the Ivory Trade are still relevent today.
The final assignment for each student will be a 2-3 page persuasive essay that will convince its reader of the darkest part of this novel. Consider what the author and narrator believed was the true "darkness" in the book (whether that be a literal reference to an aspect of the book or a figurative part of the writting). Students also may want to consider how this account is not isolated in the past but still present today. It is your job to convince your reader of darkest aspect of this literary work and support with sufficient evidence.
Happy sailing!
Task
Objective: The objective of this assignment is for students to demonstrate understanding of the Heart of Darkness, the time period it was written and their ability to effectively analyze literature through a persuasive essay.
To achieve this, students will participate in a series of individual and group projects that address literary aspects, historical context and present day application. A series of smaller assignments will be completed prior to turning in the entire project, which will include a Travel Brochure and 2-3 page Persuasive Essay.
If at anytime you have questions, please, please, PLEASE! ask a classmate or come ask me.
Process
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Ahoy Matays!
Day One: Context
1. Explore this time period and how many issues present in the Heart of Darkness are still releveant today. Click on the links below related to Ivory Trade, European Imperilism in Africa, and the Scramble for Africa to learn more. Please compose a list of 10 Important Facts I Learned and be ready to discuss.
PRESENT DAY EFFECTS OF EUROPEAN IMPERIALISM IN AFRICA
CNN ARTICLE ON SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA
2. After each student has their list of 10 Important Facts I Learned, groups of five will be formed to discuss their findings. Each group will collectively write their Top 5 Interesting Facts on a large piece of paper to be hung around the room. Please include an illustration of one of the facts on your list.
For homework: Please review the website below for plot, theme, characters, setting, and select one item that is meant to represent something beyond its literal meaning. For each please right 3-5 sentences and bring to the next class. It will help you with the next days class.
Literary Analysis of Heart of Darkness
Day Two: Literary Anaylsis
3. Today we will participate in a Literary Sail Around the Room. Come to class ready to work in small rotating groups that will navigate around the room to various stations that will ask you to perform a different, specifc task related to the text. You may use the homework from the night before, list of learned facts and all your creativity!
Day Three: Travel Guide
4. Create a travel guide that would be given to attract guests onto the ship, Nellie. Consider:
- Who is your audience (Travelers, business people, pirates, traveling circus, etc.)?
- Where they are going?
- What to expect (Weather, Is it dangerous?, What should they pack?)?
- Who and what will they see?
- Why they want to come?
Final Project
Write 2-3 pages convincing the reader of the darkest part of the Heart of Darkness. You may choose anything discussed in class or that you discovered during the webquest. This is your essay, convince me.
Evaluation
Pursuasive Essay
| CATEGORY | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Score |
| Position Statement | The position statement provides a clear, strong statement of the author\'s position on the topic. | The position statement provides a clear statement of the author\'s position on the topic. | A position statement is present, but does not make the author\'s position clear. | There is no position statement. | |
| Support for Position | Includes 3 or more pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement. The writer anticipates the reader\'s concerns, biases or arguments and has provided at least 1 counter-argument. | Includes 3 or more pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement. | Includes 2 pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement. | Includes 1 or fewer pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences). | |
| Audience | Demonstrates a clear understanding of the potential reader and uses appropriate vocabulary and arguments. Anticipates reader\'s questions and provides thorough answers appropriate for that audience. | Demonstrates a general understanding of the potential reader and uses vocabulary and arguments appropriate for that audience. | Demonstrates some understanding of the potential reader and uses arguments appropriate for that audience. | It is not clear who the author is writing for. | |
| Grammar & Spelling | Author makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. | Author makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. | Author makes 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. | Author makes more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. |
Brochure
| 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Writing - Organization | Each section in the brochure has a clear beginning, middle, and end. | Almost all sections of the brochure have a clear beginning, middle and end. | Most sections of the brochure have a clear beginning, middle and end. | Less than half of the sections of the brochure have a clear beginning, middle and end. |
| Attractiveness & Organization | The brochure has exceptionally attractive formatting and well-organized information. | The brochure has attractive formatting and well-organized information. | The brochure has well-organized information. | The brochure\'s formatting and organization of material are confusing to the reader. |
| Graphics/Pictures | Graphics go well with the text and there is a good mix of text and graphics. | Graphics go well with the text, but there are so many that they distract from the text. | Graphics go well with the text, but there are too few and the brochure seems \"text-heavy\". | Graphics do not go with the accompanying text or appear to be randomly chosen. |
Conclusion
Thank you all for participating in this Heart of Darkness WebQuest!
I hope that you have had a chance to learn about the importance of historical context for literature and how history effects the present. While going forward, I hope you continues to use literature as a keyhole through which you can view history. In addition, keep in mind critical thinking skills are vital when reviewing literuture that explains a differenet place or time.
Going forward, I hope you are able to continue to read all texts, regarless of fact or fiction, with critical anaylsis and form your own opinions about the world around you.