1. Why use cartoons?
A political cartoon is a visualization that expresses opinions.  Cartoons use symbols and caricatures (an exaggeration of a person or object) to portray opinions, express concerns, draw attention to problems, and describe relationships about people and events. 

2. Modern cartoons do the same as those from the past
Modern cartoons do the same as those from the past.  They are an opportunity for the cartoonist to exaggerate objects and people to call attention to a particular point of view.  

3. Look first at the title
What does it tell you about the topic?
Now determine the main theme or subject of the cartoon
Next look at the symbols in the cartoon
What do they mean?
Are any of them commonly used in the media?

4. Now look at the caricatures
What is exaggerated?
Who do the people in the cartoon represent?
Identify the issues being addressed
Determine the point of view of the cartoonist

5. What conclusions does the cartoonist want the reader to reach?
What message does the cartoon portray?
Is the message positive or negative?  Is the point of the cartoon to motivate or change opinion?

6. First: Think about the events in that period
Look at the date.
Think what was happening at that time.
Who was involved?
Second: See the different things in the cartoon
At first, just make a list of things you see.
List the things that are in the cartoon, what they are doing, and how they are presented.
When I do this with pupils, they always choose one or two things – and MISS lots, even big things!
Often, in a cartoon, everything (even little things) has a meaning.
So study the details and jot them down (but don’t start to try yet to say what they mean).

7. Third: Think about the cartoonist, and his motives
Look at WHO drew the cartoon, and where he came from.
What would he have thought about the topic he was drawing about?
What would he have been wanting to say?
all this help you to understand about the time, and how people thought and felt?’

8. Fourth: Go back to the cartoon
Look at your list of things you saw.
Can you see what/who they stand for – what they are ‘saying’ – what they mean?
When you have thought about all the elements, think: ‘What is the overall message of the cartoon?’
Last: Go back to the events
Now you have thought about the cartoon and its meaning, think: ‘What does all this help you to understand about the time, and how people thought and felt?’