Analyzing Editorial Cartoons

An editorial cartoon, also known as a political cartoon, is an illustration or comic strip containing a political or social message.comic strippoliticalsocial

Editorial cartoons can be very diverse, but there is a certain established style among most of them. Most editorial cartoons use visual metaphors and caricatures to explain complicated political situations.cartoonsmetaphorscaricatures

Is this an editorial cartoon? Does it have a social or political message?

Five Step plan for interpreting Editorial Cartoons Step One Say what you see. –As you look at the cartoon, identify every detail (written as well as drawn)

Step Two Ask Questions –Perhaps you don’t understand a symbol or acronym, or you simply need more information about the issue at hand

Step Three Determine the target of criticism (or commentary)

Step Four State in a short declarative sentence the cartoonist’s opinion –This will lead to the thesis statement

Step Five Decide whether you agree or disagree with the cartoonist. Evaluate the merits of this viewpoint and analyze your own position. –Can you support your position with research findings? –If this cartoon addresses a topic of interest to you, begin gathering data now!

How many of the five steps do you remember? Quiz Time!

Five step plan for interpreting editorial cartoons Step One –Say what you see Step Two –Ask questions Step Three –Determine the target of criticism Step Four –State in a short declarative sentence the cartoonist’s opinion Step Five –Decide whether you agree or disagree with the cartoonist.

More practice See if you can do the next five on your own or with a partner. Write a sentence describing the cartoonist’s opinion for each cartoon.

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Works Cited