FirstNews Lead Story: Article Analysis FirstNews ISSUE 334 2-8 NOV 2012 SPECIAL REPORT by Dan Jordan Gunpowder, treason, and what? FirstNews FINDS OUT THIS time of year brings lots of traditional celebrations with it as well as lots of chilly weather! Thankfully, we have bonfires to keep us warm every 5 November, but whose idea was it to celebrate Bonfire Night? First News finds out! Bonfire Night is an annual celebration that takes place every 5 November. Its history began in 1605, when Guy Fawkes planned to blow up the House Of Lords in London, hoping to kill King James I in the process. However, the plot was discovered before it could take place and Guy Fawkes was hanged. Ever since that day, Bonfire Night has been celebrated on 5 November and Guy Fawkes name has gone down in history. WHY DID GUY FAWKES TRY TO BLOW UP THE HOUSE OF LORDS? King James I was a Protestant Christian, and because he was King of England, he thought that all others An artist s impression of the man behind the gunpowder plot, Guy Fawkes living in the country should share his religious beliefs. Guy Fawkes and his group of plotters, however, were Catholic Christians who wanted to restore Catholicism to England by killing the King. If he had succeeded in blowing up the House Of Lords, then King James I would have died and one of the centres of Protestant power in England would have been destroyed. fire to burn (which is still sometimes done to this day). Another tradition, which has more or less disappeared now, is children collecting money for the Guy they built, by asking people for a penny for the Guy. HOW IS BONFIRE NIGHT CELEBRATED NOW? Nowadays, Bonfire Night is far more about the bonfire than the events that caused it to be important. Also, firework displays are becoming more common and popular in modern times, and many fireworks nights are held around 5 November, with the bonfire taking a back seat to the main event of the firework display. SO,WHY DO PEOPLE MAKE BONFIRES? King James I made 5 November a national holiday after Guy Fawkes trial, and many people created huge bonfires to celebrate the holiday. The bonfires were made to represent the fire that would have been caused if Guy Fawkes and his team of plotters had been successful in their plan to blow up the House Of Lords. People made dummies of Guy Fawkes (often made from old clothes stuffed with newspaper) and put them on top of the A painting of a Bonfire Night celebration at Windsor Castle in 1776 KEEPING SAFE! While bonfires and firework displays can be amazing to look at, they can also be very dangerous. This 5 November, make sure a responsible adult controls the displays and you stay well clear of them. Always be sensible when handling sparklers and keep clear of anything else that could hurt or burn you. GLOSSARY Getty WHAT IS BONFIRE NIGHT? Treason - the crime of betraying your country by trying to overthrow the government or by trying to harm or kill the sovereign. House of Lords (UK) - the nonelective chamber of Parliament made up of members of the nobility and high-ranking clergy.
Gunpowder, treason, and what? (Special Report) Carefully read this week s Special Report. Can you: Find the facts? Interpret the information? Work out why the journalist wrote and presented the story in the way that they did? Part A: Find the facts A1) When does Bonfire Night take place? A2) Why has Bonfire Night been celebrated since 1605? A3) What do the bonfires represent? A4) Fill in the gaps: King James I was a... Christian. Guy... and his group of plotters were... Christians. Therefore, they did not share the King of England s... beliefs. They wanted to restore... to England. That was why they tried to blow up the House of.... A5) List three pieces of advice given in the report to help you to stay safe if you attend a bonfire and firework display this 5 November Part B: Interpret the information B1) How would blowing up the House of Lords have helped Guy Fawkes and his group of plotters to restore Catholicism to England? B2) It is stated in the report that Guy Fawkes name has gone down in history since his plot to blow up the House of Lords was discovered. Why do you think this is? B3) Why do you think that King James I made 5 November a national holiday after Guy Fawkes trial? B4) Why do you think that the tradition of children asking for a penny for the Guy has more or less disappeared? B5) In the report it says that Nowadays, Bonfire Night is far more about the bonfire than the events that caused it to be important. What does this suggest about today s society? Part C: Analyse the writing and presentation C1) Why has the word treason been used in the headline? C2) Comment on the effect of the reporter s reference to chilly weather in the lead paragraph. C3) How and why have questions been used in the article? C4) Three pictures accompany this Special Report. Comment on the similarities and differences between them. Why do you think that each picture has been included? C5) Look at the structure of the report. How does the last section Keeping Safe! differ from the rest of the article? Why do you think it has been placed there?
Gunpowder, treason, and what? (Special Report) Carefully read this week s Special Report, then answer these questions: Part A: Find the facts A1) When does Bonfire Night take place? A2) Why has Bonfire Night been celebrated since 1605? A3) What do the bonfires represent? A4) Fill in the gaps: King James I was a... Christian. Guy... and his group of plotters were... Christians. Therefore, they did not share the King of England s... beliefs. They wanted to restore... to England. That was why they tried to blow up the House of.... A5) List three pieces of advice given in the report to help you to stay safe if you attend a bonfire and firework display this 5 November: 1.... 2.... 3....
Gunpowder, treason, and what? (Special Report) Carefully read this week s Special Report, then answer these questions: Part B: Interpret the information B1) How would blowing up the House of Lords have helped Guy Fawkes and his group of plotters to restore Catholicism to England? B2) It is stated in the report that Guy Fawkes name has gone down in history since his plot to blow up the House of Lords was discovered. Why do you think this is? B3) Why do you think that King James I made 5 November a national holiday after Guy Fawkes trial?
Gunpowder, treason, and what? (Special Report) Carefully read this week s Special Report, then answer these questions: Part B: Interpret the information B4) Why do you think that the tradition of children asking for a penny for the Guy has more or less disappeared? B5) In the report it says that Nowadays, Bonfire Night is far more about the bonfire than the events that caused it to be important. What does this suggest about today s society?
Gunpowder, treason, and what? (Special Report) Carefully read this week s Special Report, then answer these questions: Part C: Analyse the writing and presentation C1) Why has the word treason been used in the headline? C2) Comment on the effect of the reporter s reference to chilly weather in the lead paragraph. C3) How and why have questions been used in the article?
Gunpowder, treason, and what? (Special Report) Carefully read this week s Special Report, then answer these questions: Part C: Analyse the writing and presentation C4) Three pictures accompany this Special Report. Comment on the similarities and differences between them. Why do you think that each picture has been included? C5) Look at the structure of the report. How does the last section Keeping Safe! differ from the rest of the article? Why do you think it has been placed there?
Teacher answers and assessment level guidelines The teacher answers are intended to provide a guide as to the AF strand of the question and possible responses from pupils working at different levels. In the level 5/6 answers we try to provide the most complete answer possible in order to provide teaching points when discussing the answers with pupils. Part A: Find the Facts A1. When does Bonfire Night take place? AF2 - understand, describe, select, retrieve information, events or ideas from texts and use quotation and reference to the text. L4 - identifying relevant points It is an annual celebration that takes place every 5 November. A2. Why has Bonfire Night been celebrated since 1605? AF2 - understand, describe, select, retrieve information, events or ideas from texts and use quotation and reference to the text. Possible answer: L4/5 - most relevant points clearly identified It was on 5 November 1605 that Guy Fawkes planned to blow up the House of Lords in London and kill King James I. The date has been celebrated since then because the plot failed. A3. What do the bonfires represent? AF2 -understand, describe, select, retrieve information, events or ideas from texts and use quotation and reference to the text Answer: L4 - relevant points identified They represent the fire that would have been caused if Guy Fawkes and his plotters had been successful in their plan to blow up the House of Lords. L5 - additional relevant points to develop answer Sometimes people also put dummies on the top of the fires. These represent Guy Fawkes himself because he was punished by death for plotting the explosion that the bonfires represent. A4. Fill in the gaps: AF2 - understand, describe, select, retrieve information, events or ideas from texts and use quotation and reference to the text. Answers: L4 - identifying relevant points King James I was a Protestant Christian. Guy Fawkes and his group of plotters were Catholic Christians. Therefore, they did not share the King of England s religious beliefs. They wanted to restore Catholicism to England. That was why they tried to blow up the House of Lords. A5. List three pieces of advice given in the report to help you to stay safe if you attend a bonfire and firework display this 5 November: AF2 - understand, describe, select, retrieve information, events or ideas from texts and use quotation and reference to the text. L4/5 - most relevant points clearly identified 1. Make sure a responsible adult is in charge of the bonfire and firework displays. 2. Be sensible when handling sparklers. 3. Stay well clear of bonfires, fireworks and anything else that could hurt or burn you.
Part B: Interpret the information B1. How would blowing up the House of Lords have helped Guy Fawkes and his group of plotters to restore Catholicism to England? AF3 - deduce, infer or interpret information, events or ideas from texts L4 - more complex inference If Guy Fawkes and his plotters had blown up the House of Lords then King James I would have died. He was a Protestant Christian and as King had power. It would be easier to show support for Catholic beliefs if the Protestant King was dead. L5 - comments develop explanation of inferred meanings If Guy Fawkes and his plotters had blown up the House of Lords then King James I would have died. He was a Protestant Christian and as King of England he thought that everyone else living in the country should share his beliefs. If Guy Fawkes and his supporters had managed to blow up the House of Lords and kill him then they would have destroyed a key focus of Protestant power. They would have hoped to be able to restore a Catholic monarch in the ensuing confusion. B2. It is stated in the report that Guy Fawkes name has gone down in history since his plot to blow up the House of Lords was discovered. Why do you think this is? AF3 - deduce, infer or interpret information, events or ideas from texts L4 - more complex inference If something has gone down in history it means it was so important that it has been remembered and recorded in history books. A plot to assassinate a King has huge significance as King is such a position of power and importance and the crime is treason. Guy Fawkes name is the one most commonly remembered as he was considered to be a leader in the plot and he was the one discovered with all of the gunpowder. L5/6 - some detailed exploration of inferred meanings Also, Guy Fawkes and his plot have been recorded in history books because the discovery of the plot would have had great impact on the society at the time. Guy Fawkes and his fellow plotters were Catholics and when their treasonous activities were discovered it would have affected how all Catholics were viewed. There would have been even less inclination to look tolerantly on those expressing Catholic sympathies, as their threat to the King and country had been made explicit and the fears of many Protestants had been realised. B3. Why do you think that King James I made 5 November a national holiday after Guy Fawkes trial? AF3 - deduce, infer or interpret information, events or ideas from texts L4 - more complex inference To celebrate the fact that he had survived the plot to kill him. L5 - comments develop explanation of inferred meanings National holidays tend to be joyous occasions. By marking his survival by bringing people together in a celebratory fashion, James I would have encouraged his people to view him more favourably. By celebrating after the trial of Guy Fawkes people would be reminded of what happens to those who are against James I as Guy Fawkes was hanged for his crime. So, by making 5 November a national holiday the King conveyed the message that those who support him are rewarded with a holiday and those against him are severely punished. B4. Why do you think that the tradition of children asking for a penny for the Guy has more or less disappeared? AF3 - deduce, infer or interpret information, events or ideas from texts L4/5- inference with some explanation It is an out-of-date tradition because a penny is not considered to be very much money these days. It is not considered appropriate, or safe, for children to go out begging these days. It says in the report that these days Bonfire Night is far more about the bonfire than the events that caused it. So, children nowadays might not even know the significance of Guy Fawkes. Indeed, Guys aren t always even put on top of bonfires anymore.
Part B: Interpret the information B5. In the report it says that Nowadays, Bonfire Night is far more about the bonfire than the events that caused it to be important. What does this suggest about today s society? AF3 - deduce, infer or interpret information, events or ideas from texts L4 - more complex inference That today s society is interested in the present. The events that caused Bonfire Night to be important happened a long time ago so may not seem as relevant today. Today s society tends to focus on the celebration without really thinking about why the celebration is taking place. L5/6 - some attempt at detailed exploration Views towards religious beliefs are different now. Church attendance has fallen dramatically since the middle of the 20th Century, suggesting that less importance is placed on public worship and being seen to hold particular religious views. Indeed, more people are admitting to having no religious affiliations. Also, in the UK today there is an aim for more tolerance of different religious beliefs. Factors such as immigration have contributed to the growth of different faiths. Therefore, today s society is very different from that in which the Gunpowder plot was hatched in 1605. Consequently, the events that happened then might not seem relevant enough. Today s society is often said to be focused on thrill seeking and consumerism. This could explain why it says in the report that the focus is more on the bonfire. Indeed more specifically it says that firework displays are becoming more popular and the bonfire takes a back seat to the main event of the firework display. As it was the bonfire that held significance, this suggests that the date is just being used as an excuse for expensive celebrations based on spectacle. Fireworks in themselves are very expensive, but Bonfire Night is also an excuse for the selling of hot drinks and snacks, such as jacket potatoes.
Part C: Analyse the writing and presentation C1. Why has the word treason been used in the headline? AF5 - explain and comment on writers use of language, including grammatical and literacy features at word and sentence level L4/5 - simple comments on writer s choices with some explanation The word treason has been used in the headline because it describes the crime of betraying your country and that is what Guy Fawkes was guilty of, because he tried to kill King James I. The article is about the events behind Bonfire Night, and the failure of Fawkes treasonous act is the reason why celebrations are held on 5 November. Therefore, the use of the word is appropriate because it is directly relevant to the content of the article. Furthermore, treason is such a serious crime that it makes the reader want to read on to find out more specific details. C2. Comment on the effect of the reporter s reference to chilly weather in the lead paragraph. AF5 - explain and comment on writers use of language, including grammatical and literacy features at word and sentence level L4/5 - simple comments on writer s choices with some explanation The reporter s reference to chilly weather sounds a bit more interesting than just cold weather. Coupled with the use of the dash and the exclamation mark it seems more jokey and conversational. This is because the article isn t actually about weather, but the reference to the cold weather allows the reporter to make a link to bonfires which are relevant to the main text. The link is a little bit obvious which is acknowledged with the use of the exclamation mark. However, it does help the lead paragraph to flow which draws the reader along with it. C3. How and why have questions been used in the article? AF4 - identify and comment on the structure and organisation of texts, including grammatical and presentational features at text level. L4 - simple comment Questions are used in the headline, the lead paragraph and the main body text. They are used to draw the reader into the article because they make them want to find out the answers about why Bonfire Night is celebrated and what the Gunpowder plot was about. L5/6 - some detailed explanation of the effect of the reporter s structural choices The headline contains a question. In it, a line from a nursery rhyme based on the Gunpowder plot which referred to Gunpowder, treason and plot has been altered. In the headline plot has been changed to what and a question mark has been added. This is because nowadays people don t tend to be as aware of the details of the plot and the article serves to give that information. Therefore, the question is used to mirror what the reader might have been wondering and to draw the reader into the article to find out more. Questions are also used throughout the main body of the text. There is a question in the lead paragraph. Furthermore, four out of the five sub-headings are written as questions. This gives the whole article a question and answer format. The question in the lead paragraph is the overarching question about why we celebrate Bonfire Night. This is then broken down into four questions with answers. The effect of this is that the information seems really accessible. The questions are reassuring because they cover what the reader would be likely to want to know. Also, because there is a series of questions the information can be broken into separate sections in the answers which make it easy to understand.
Part C: Analyse the writing and presentation C4. Three pictures accompany this Special Report. Comment on the similarities and differences between them. Why do you think that each picture has been included? AF4 - identify and comment on the structure and organisation of texts, including grammatical and presentational features at text level. L4 - simple comment L5/6 - some detailed explanation of the effect of the reporter s structural choices Two of the pictures are similar in that they represent bonfire celebrations. However, they are different in that one picture is of a modern day celebration and the other depicts a Bonfire Night celebration in the eighteenth century. The third picture is different in that it is of Guy Fawkes. However, it is similar to the picture of the Bonfire Night celebration at Windsor Castle in 1776 in that it has been created by an artist. The picture of the modern day bonfire is the only one which does not have an accompanying caption. This is probably because it looks more familiar and does not need explaining in the same way that the other older pictures do. It seems likely that the two pictures of bonfire celebrations have been included because they look very different. People are even shown riding on horseback in the eighteenth century depiction. This is to highlight that the tradition of Bonfire Night has been going on for a long time and that there is a wealth of history behind it. However, in the modern picture the image of the bonfire is much closer and the figures are right in front of it. This links to the assertion in the article that the focus these days is very much on the bonfire and not the events that led to Bonfire Night being celebrated. The picture of Guy Fawkes is an artist s impression because cameras hadn t been invented in the seventeenth century. The picture is included to remind the reader of the Gunpowder plot as it was the failure of that plot that resulted in bonfire celebrations. Guy Fawkes is pictured because he is most commonly associated with the plot since he was the one discovered with all of the gunpowder. C5. Look at the structure of the report. How does the last section Keeping Safe! differ from the rest of the article? Why do you think it has been placed there? AF6 - identify and comment on writers purposes and viewpoints, and the overall effect of the text on the reader L4/5 - main purpose identified with some general awareness of effect on the reader The Keeping Safe section differs from the rest of the article because it contains practical advice on how to stay safe if you attend a bonfire celebration this year. The other sections cover information on the history behind Bonfire Night and how Bonfire Night celebrations have evolved to become what they are today. Furthermore, the last section does not follow the question and answer format employed in the rest of the article. Instead, an exclamation mark is used more like a warning sign for the reader that they need to be careful. Keeping Safe! is likely to have been placed at the end of the report because in newspapers it is typical for the most important information to be placed at the beginning of an article. The section is not necessary for the rest of the article to make sense. However, it does bring the reader back to the present day so perhaps helps to link the history to the experience that they might be due to have.