1. What is a political cartoon?
R10017 'St Kevin' cartoon by Simon Letch, With permission of Simon Letch. Artwork by Simon Letch.
Politics with punch
What is a political cartoon?
© Education Services Australia Ltd and the National Museum of Australia, 2010, except where indicated otherwise

2. What is a political cartoon?
Here’s an example of a political cartoon drawn in late 2006 when the Australian Labor Party was about to elect a leader.
R10233 'Head prefect' cartoon by David Pope, 2006
This cartoon is using people’s awareness of popular culture (Harry Potter) to make a point about the different Labor Party candidates for leadership.
R10233 'Head prefect' cartoon by David Pope, With permission of David Pope. Artwork by David Pope.
© Education Services Australia Ltd and the National Museum of Australia, 2010, except where indicated otherwise

3. It is humorous. We are meant to laugh.
It is mainly visual. There are words, but they are not essential to understand the cartoon.
It is humorous. We are meant to laugh.
It has a serious message or meaning behind it.
It is irreverent, making fun of the people involved.
It shows a political knowledge and has a political theme.
R10233 'Head prefect' cartoon by David Pope, With permission of David Pope. Artwork by David Pope.
It taps into popular culture  in this case, everyone recognises the Harry Potter theme behind the cartoon.
It caricatures people rather than representing them in a realistic style.
© Education Services Australia Ltd and the National Museum of Australia, 2010, except where indicated otherwise

4. Satire and caricature
A political cartoon can be defined as a satirical comment (usually humorous and often a caricature) about a political person, event, institution or idea that reflects the cartoonist’s values or opinions  
Satire  where an artist exposes and denounces vice, folly, abuses etc, to scorn and ridicule.
Caricature  a picture or description that ludicrously exaggerates the peculiarities or defects of people or things.
Discuss the use of satire and caricature in R10233 'Head prefect' cartoon by David Pope, 2006.
R10233 'Head prefect' cartoon by David Pope, With permission of David Pope. Artwork by David Pope.
© Education Services Australia Ltd and the National Museum of Australia, 2010, except where indicated otherwise

5. Current events and issues
Every day in newspapers around Australia, people look at the editorial cartoon. The editorial cartoon is always related to some aspect of current events and usually has a political focus. Cartoons are usually very amusing and entertaining. Often they deal with very serious issues. Discuss some of the issues dealt with in R10233 'Head prefect' cartoon by David Pope, 2006.
R10233 'Head prefect' cartoon by David Pope, With permission of David Pope. Artwork by David Pope.
© Education Services Australia Ltd and the National Museum of Australia, 2010, except where indicated otherwise

6. Humour in the news
The political cartoon can be a devastating weapon – a weapon that can make readers laugh out loud in agreement, or clench their teeth in frustration and anger.
Creating a cartoon that strikes a chord with the public requires inspiration, lateral thinking and the ability to see humour where others only see ‘news’.
R10233 'Head prefect' cartoon by David Pope, With permission of David Pope. Artwork by David Pope.
© Education Services Australia Ltd and the National Museum of Australia, 2010, except where indicated otherwise

7. ‘If the primary role of the news media is to provide a check on power, cartooning is often its most powerful weapon. Free from the normal rules of reportage, cartoonists don’t have to provide evidence, be reasonable, or even offer balanced and constructive opinion. They can be as infantile, subversive, absurd, or ridiculous as they wish … [O]ur cartoonists, in the main, exhibit a strong sense of injustice and seem to follow a few simple rules: cut to the truth; avoid worthiness and self importance; don’t attack the weak; and always hold the powerful to account … But the first rule, of course, is to be funny – if we don’t laugh it hasn’t worked.’
Russ Radcliffe, Best Australian political cartoons 2004, Scribe, Melbourne 2004, p vi
© Education Services Australia Ltd and the National Museum of Australia, 2010, except where indicated otherwise