Political Cartoons:
Political cartoons have been around for centuries. They were first designed to carry messages to those who could not read. They first appeared in the United States in colonial newspapers or as separate prints distributed by booksellers. Today, political cartoons contain much more humor than they used to. Political cartoons back then were more serious and very critical of political and religious events and leaders. Cartoonists usually use symbols to portray messages in their cartoons. For example, the United States is often represented as Uncle Sam, an eagle, the Statue of Liberty, etc. Today, there are over two hundred political cartoonists that produce work on a daily basis for more than
1,700 newspapers across the country.
Reading a Political Cartoon:
Editorial cartoons, or political cartoons, are editorials in picture form. They express the opinion of the artist on a controversial issue, using both fact and opinion. The artist designs them to get the reader's attention, often by humor, and then to cause a reaction. Cartoonists use many techniques when drawing a political cartoon.
These techniques include:
Analyzing a Political Cartoon:
Answer these questions when viewing your political cartoon:
1. What facts are given or implied?
2. Are any symbols used to add meaning to the cartoon?
3. If YES, list each symbol and explain its meaning.
4. Who, or what, do the characters in the cartoon represent?
5. Has the cartoonist used caricature or exaggeration in depicting any characters? Explain.
6. Does the cartoon have a caption? If YES, What meaning does the caption give to the cartoon?
7. With what issue is this cartoon concerned?
8. What seems to be the cartoonist’s point of view on this issue?
9. What other points of view can you suggest on this issue?
1,700 newspapers across the country.
Reading a Political Cartoon:
Editorial cartoons, or political cartoons, are editorials in picture form. They express the opinion of the artist on a controversial issue, using both fact and opinion. The artist designs them to get the reader's attention, often by humor, and then to cause a reaction. Cartoonists use many techniques when drawing a political cartoon.
These techniques include:
- Caricature - distorting a person’s features, but still keeping that person recognizable. (Example: giving Bill Clinton a big nose, Ross Perot big ears, etc.)
- Stereotyping - showing all persons of one group as looking or acting the same. (Example: Teachers are often shown as wearing glasses down on the nose and having a bun held together by a pencil.)
- Symbols - using a sign or object to stand for something else. (Example: Uncle Sam for the U.S., a bear for Russia, etc.)
- Satire - pointing out something wrong and ridiculing it.
- Exaggeration - overemphasizing a situation or portraying it as “bigger than life." (Example: show a problem as a bottomless pit.)
- Labels - using written words to identify figures in a cartoon
Analyzing a Political Cartoon:
Answer these questions when viewing your political cartoon:
1. What facts are given or implied?
2. Are any symbols used to add meaning to the cartoon?
3. If YES, list each symbol and explain its meaning.
4. Who, or what, do the characters in the cartoon represent?
5. Has the cartoonist used caricature or exaggeration in depicting any characters? Explain.
6. Does the cartoon have a caption? If YES, What meaning does the caption give to the cartoon?
7. With what issue is this cartoon concerned?
8. What seems to be the cartoonist’s point of view on this issue?
9. What other points of view can you suggest on this issue?
Groups:
1. Esaq & Nathan
2. Avery & Isabella
3. Lily & Mackenzie
4. Katie & Carly
1. Esaq & Nathan
2. Avery & Isabella
3. Lily & Mackenzie
4. Katie & Carly