Political Cartoons

Objectives Day 1 Be able to understand what political cartoons are. Be able to understand the author’s purpose of political cartoons. Be able to understand and identify elements that are used by authors who write political cartoons. Day 2-3 Read and analyze political cartoons in order to get a deeper understanding them. Day 4 Be able to create your own political cartoon using at least 3 elements of political cartoons.

Day 1 Be able to understand what political cartoons are. Be able to understand the author’s purpose of political cartoons. Be able to understand and identify elements that are used by authors who write political cartoons.

Building Background Knowledge Your group will receive a circle map. Write down anything you already know about political cartoons in red. Next you will get 4 political cartoons. Look carefully at the cartoons. What do you notice about them? What do they include? What do they have in common? Add any other words or phrases that help define political cartoons to your circle map. Do this in green. Add any other new learning to your circle map from the next few slides. Political Cartoons

4 Political Cartoons

What are Political Cartoons? A political cartoon is a cartoon that makes a point about a political issue or event. You can find them in any daily newspaper, in news magazines and on political Web sites. Political cartoons can be very funny, especially if you understand the issue that they’re commenting on. Their main purpose, though, is not to amuse you but to persuade you. A good political cartoon makes you think about current events, but it also tries to sway your opinion toward the cartoonist’s point of view. The best political cartoonist can change your mind on an issue without you even realizing how he or she did it. Cartoonists use several methods, or techniques, to get their point across. Not every cartoon includes all of these techniques, but most political cartoons include at least a few. Some of the techniques cartoonists use the most are symbolism, exaggeration, labeling, analogy, and irony. Once you learn to spot these techniques, you’ll be able to see the cartoonist’s point more clearly. You should also be aware of any political slant, or bias, that he or she might have. You might also start watching out for the persuasive techniques used in other media, such as political ads and TV news programs. There are a lot of people out there trying to change your mind – it’s a good idea to be aware of how they’re doing it.

Juxtaposition The act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side.

Distortion Changes or exaggerations in size, shape, emotions or gestures often add extra meaning to the symbols the cartoon includes.

Labelling Cartoonists often label objects or people to make it clear exactly what they stand for. Watch out for the different labels that appear in a cartoon, and ask yourself why the cartoonist chose to label that particular person or object. Does the label make the meaning of the object more clear?

Exaggeration Sometimes cartoonists overdo, or exaggerate, the physical characteristics of people or things in order to make a point. When you study a cartoon, look for any characteristics that seem overdone or overblown. (Facial characteristics and clothing are some of the most commonly exaggerated characteristics.) Then, try to decide what point the cartoonist was trying to make through exaggeration.

Irony Irony is the difference between the ways things are and the way things should be, or the way things are expected to be. Cartoonists often use irony to express their opinion on an issue.

Stereotype A stereotype is a vastly oversimplified view of some group. Stereotypes are often insulting. Yet they may give cartoons a shorthand way to make a complex point quickly. They also reveal broad cultural attitudes

Analogy An analogy is a comparison between two unlike things that share some characteristics. By comparing a complex issue or situation with a more familiar one, cartoonists can help their readers see it in a different light. After you’ve studied a cartoon for a while, try to decide what the cartoon’s main analogy is. What two situations does the cartoon compare?

Symbolism A visual symbol in a cartoon is any image that stands for some other thing, event, person, abstract idea or trend in the news. For example, a dollar sign may stand for the entire economy. An octopus may stand for a powerful corporation with “tentacles” controlling many other institutions.

Elements Used in Political Cartoons Distortion Changes or exaggerations in size, shape, emotions or gestures often add extra meaning to the symbols the cartoon includes. For example, a dragon is often used as a symbol for China. But a huge, snorting dragon will make a different point about China from a tired, limping, meek dragon. Every detail in a cartoon, especially one that is distorted in some way, is likely to be a part of the cartoon’s meaning. Stereotypes A stereotype is a vastly oversimplified view of some group. Stereotypes are often insulting. Yet they may give cartoons a shorthand way to make a complex point quickly. They also reveal broad cultural attitudes Juxtaposition The act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side. Visual Symbols A visual symbol in a cartoon is any image that stands for some other thing, event, person, abstract idea or trend in the news. For example, a dollar sign may stand for the entire economy. An octopus may stand for a powerful corporation with “tentacles” controlling many other institutions.

Elements Used in Political Cartoons Irony Irony is the difference between the ways things are and the way things should be, or the way things are expected to be. Cartoonists often use irony to express their opinion on an issue. Exaggeration Sometimes cartoonists overdo, or exaggerate, the physical characteristics of people or things in order to make a point. When you study a cartoon, look for any characteristics that seem overdone or overblown. (Facial characteristics and clothing are some of the most commonly exaggerated characteristics.) Then, try to decide what point the cartoonist was trying to make through exaggeration. Labelling Cartoonists often label objects or people to make it clear exactly what they stand for. Watch out for the different labels that appear in a cartoon, and ask yourself why the cartoonist chose to label that particular person or object. Does the label make the meaning of the object more clear? Analogy An analogy is a comparison between two unlike things that share some characteristics. By comparing a complex issue or situation with a more familiar one, cartoonists can help their readers see it in a different light. After you’ve studied a cartoon for a while, try to decide what the cartoon’s main analogy is. What two situations does the cartoon compare?

What elements appear in this cartoon? Work with your team! What do you think this cartoon is trying to say? What makes you think so?

What elements appear in this cartoon? Work on your own! What do you think this cartoon is trying to say? What makes you think so?

Day 2-3 Read and analyze political cartoons in order to get a deeper understanding them.

How to Analyze a Cartoon Step 1: Meet the Cartoon Quickly scan the cartoon. What do you notice first? What is the title or caption? Step 2: Observe its Parts (Political Cartoon Elements) Distortion, stereotypes, juxtaposition, irony, labels, exaggeration, visual symbols, analogies Step 3: Try to Make Sense of It Words - Which words or phrases are the most significant? List adjectives that describe the emotions portrayed. Visuals - Which of the visuals are symbols? What do they stand for? Who drew this cartoon? When is it from? What was happening at the time in history it was created? What is the message? List evidence from the cartoon or your knowledge about the cartoonist that led you to your conclusion. Step 4: Use it as Historical Evidence What did you find out from this cartoon that you might not learn anywhere else? What other documents or historical evidence are you going to use to help you understand this event or topic?

Let’s Analyze one together... Step 1: Meet the Cartoon Quickly scan the cartoon. What do you notice first? What is the title or caption? Step 2: Observe its Parts What political cartoon elements do you see present? Distortion, stereotypes, juxtaposition, irony, labels, exaggeration, visual symbols, analogies Step 3: Try to Make Sense of It When is it from? What was happening at the time in history it was created? What is the message? Step 4: Use it as Historical Evidence What did you find out from this cartoon that you might not learn anywhere else?

You Try with a Partner... Step 1: Meet the Cartoon Quickly scan the cartoon. What do you notice first? What is the title or caption? Step 2: Observe its Parts What political cartoon elements do you see present? Distortion, stereotypes, juxtaposition, irony, labels, exaggeration, visual symbols, analogies Step 3: Try to Make Sense of It When is it from? What was happening at the time in history it was created? What is the message? Step 4: Use it as Historical Evidence What did you find out from this cartoon that you might not learn anywhere else? You Try with a Partner...

Political Cartoon Jigsaw Each group will be given a political cartoon to analyze. Each person in the group must complete the student analyzing worksheet.We will then jigsaw and you will be placed in a group with other students who have different political cartoons than you. The other group members will analyze and interpret the meaning of your political cartoon outloud. You will be the facilitator.

Cartoon 1

Cartoon 2

Cartoon 3

Cartoon 4

Cartoon 5

Day 4 Be able to create your own political cartoon using at least 3 elements of political cartoons.

Writing Your Own Political Cartoon - SOAPStone Strategy Who is the Speaker? The voice that tells the story. What is the Occasion? The time and the place of the piece; the context that prompted the writing. Who is the Audience? The group of readers to whom this piece is directed. What is the Purpose? The reason behind the text. What is the Subject? Students should be able to state the subject in a few words or phrases. What is the Tone? The attitude of the author. The spoken word can convey the speaker’s attitude and thus help impart meaning through tone of voice. With the written word, tone extends meaning beyond the literal, and students must learn to convey this tone in their diction (choice of words), syntax (sentence construction), and imagery (metaphors, similes, and other types of figurative language).