Analyzing an Editorial Cartoon

Introducing Techniques: Symbolism Symbols are understood to represent something else. When you look at each of these images, what does it make you think of?

Exaggeration Exaggerate: represent (something) as being larger, greater, better, or worse than it really is. Example: The fish I caught was this big. Exaggeration is one of the most commonly used tools of editorial cartoonists. Students must be able to identify and interpret exaggeration in order to analyze editorial cartoons.

Exaggeration of an Editorial Cartoon

Hmm ?!?! What does this cartoon exaggerate? What does the cartoon imply is most people’s reason for not recycling? How does exaggeration reinforce the message of the cartoon? #1 The cartoon exaggerates the problem of pollution and the average person’s lack of concern about it. #2 The cartoon implies that people don’t recycle because it takes too much effort. #3 The use of exaggeration makes readers see what could happen if they do not take pollution seriously.

Caricature

Einstein… Compare the caricature of Albert Einstein to his photograph. What physical characteristics has the cartoonist exaggerated? What is the effect of these changes? #1 The cartoonist has exaggerated the size of Einstein’s head and nose which are both made larger. The hair is longer and wilder. Einstein’s brows are larger and the eyes deeper set. #2 The larger head in proportion to the body makes him appear “smarter”. The wild hair gives the impression of the “made scientist”.

Analogies: The Internet is like a highway. An easy task is like child’s play. A crowded rock concert is like a zoo. To analyze editorial cartoons, students must be able to identify and understand analogies. What makes the two items in each of the following analogies similar?

Humor Artists often use humor to communicate their point. They force the viewer to laugh at themselves or at the situation.

Labeling The cartoonist will often label people or objects in a cartoon to make sure the viewer clearly understands them.

Now let’s look at one together. What is labeled in this cartoon? How does the label help you understand the central idea (message) of the cartoon? What is the central idea this artist is communicating?

Analyzing an Editorial Cartoon Guided Questioning for Editorial Cartoon 15 To what classic movie does this cartoon refer? The cartoon refers to the Wizard of OZ. What label in the cartoon tells you the subject? The label “tabloids” on the castle tells me the cartoon is about tabloid newspapers or publishers. What analogy is the cartoonist drawing between the characters from the movie and the tabloid publishers? The cartoonist is saying that tabloid publishers are like the wicked witch in the wizard of oz and that photographers who work for tabloids are like her winged monkeys or those who do evil on her behalf. Does the cartoon use exaggeration? Yes, it is an exaggeration to compare tabloid publishers to the wicked witch. What point do you think the cartoonist is trying to make? The cartoonist is trying to point out that the invasion of people’s privacy by tabloids has become a serious problem.