1. Analysing Cartoons
Revision

2. Notes to teachers
Revise terminology/vocabulary and discuss it with learners using cartoons provided (see examples below).
Do not accept responses such as body language or facial expression. Teach learners the vocabulary to describe what they see and how to provide a motivation/substantiation for them to obtain full marks.
Teach learners how to integrate the visual and written text.
Guide learners through the cartoon frame by frame.
Draw learners’ attention to particular frames they are referred to. Learners tend to ignore this.
There is a NOTE message in a cartoon that must NOT be ignored.
Teach learners how to explain the effect the cartoon has on them; especially where the examiner asks for their opinion. Learners must be able to form their own opinion about the cartoon

3. Terminology Body language Interpretation arms folded
eyebrows drawn together/raised/frowning(facial expression)
clenched fist
finger pointing
hands on the hips
mouth turned downward(facial expression)
Convey anger
Body language of characters (how they use their bodies and messages/thoughts they are conveying):
Hands in the air
Conveys anger

4. Terminology (cont) Body language Interpretation
Smile(facial expression)
Lips curved upward(facial expression)
Convey happiness
Facial expressions such as big eyes/wide opened eyes/ mouth; exposed teeth
Could mean a number of things depending on the context of the cartoon.

5. Terminology (cont)
Font types/sizes and reason for capitalisation/reason for bolding
Punctuation(how has it been used to suggest emotion)

6. Important terms Speech bubble
A line between the speaker and the words to indicate who is speaking
Thought bubble
Looks like clouds which indicate unspoken thoughts.
Caricature
Features or actions of a person are exaggerated to help the reader work out who is being represented.
Movement
Indicated by means of vertical, curved and diagonal lines.
Speedy lines are indicated by streaky lines or by the action going out of the frame.
Denotative/literal
When something is exactly as described by the words e.g.
The pig lives on a farm.

7. Terminology (cont) Connotative/figurative
When an expression or words are used on a different level such as idioms, figures of speech e.g.
Your room looks like it belongs to a pig
Emotive language
Words are used to evoke feelings e.g.
I am furious
Manipulative/convincing language
Language you use in influencing others e.g. I have to own a pair of those shoes, everyone does. (in fact only your best friend has a pair)
Pun/play on words
The literal and figurative meaning of a word are used in such a clever way that both meanings are applicable. Used in advertisements, headlines, cartoons etc.

8. Terminology (cont) Prejudice
Judging a person before you know all the facts e.g. I told you, John is the one who spread the rumour.
Subjectivity
When you side with one person… without being fair e.g. the athletes are not punished when they do not do their homework, although all other learners are.
Stereotype/stereotyping
Judging a person/people according to set ideas e.g. Women are bad drivers
Implied meaning/hidden meaning
E.g. A mother asks her son, ‘‘Why aren’t your marks as high as those of Jane?’’ She implies that her son is not as clever as Jane.

9. Terminology Rhetorical question
Not a question in the true sense, it does not require an answer. The purpose is to draw attention e.g. Why is it so cold?
Irony
When one thing is said, but something else is meant e.g. ‘I pretend to understand the work, but I am lost’. (Understand-do not understand)
Be sure to use the conjunction BUT
Satire
Uses humour to make a serious point. It involves using irony, to mock or ridicule people’s stupidity/ vices or follies.

10. Terminology (cont)
Tone of voice e.g. happy, rebellious, sarcastic, surprised
Captions and motion/speed lines/ and what they mean
Onomatopoeia: sound effect such as …zzzz
Possible emotions that could be portrayed in a cartoon:
Happiness, satisfaction, pride, shock, amazement, confusion, worry,
sickness, anger, sadness, unhappiness, depression, disappointment,
excitement, joy, self-satisfaction, relaxation, dissatisfaction, love, loss, etc.

11. Possible questions Setting: Where and when is the cartoon set?
What is the social context?
Characters: What actions and emotions are communicated through body language?
What emotions are communicated through facial expressions?
What does the body language suggest about the relationships between characters?
Action: What is happening in the cartoon?
How is the action portrayed?
Language: What words have been used?
How has punctuation been used to suggest emotion?
Stereotypes/ symbols: Has the cartoonist made use of stereotypes?
Has the cartoonist used any symbols to represent something else?