1. Political Cartoon Analysis Introduction

2. Key Terms Political Cartoon (P.C.): An interpretive (your own idea or definition of an event, situation or person[s]) which makes use of symbols/symbolism, which are usually exaggerated to present a message or point. Symbolism: Using a picture to represent an idea. Exaggeration: To make something bigger (most times in size but not always) than it really is. –In P.C.s cartoonists overdo, or exaggerate, the physical characteristics of people or things in order to make a point.

3. Steps to Analyzing a P.C. Step 1 Describe the picture (1-2 sentences) –Tell me what you see –Pretend to be describing the p.c. to someone who cannot see the picture –Who is in the picture –What is happening What is the current event or personality being “made fun of?” –Is it social or political or both?

4. Steps to Analyzing a P.C. Step 2 Analyze part 1: Symbolism –Identify the symbol What symbol(s) do you see? The symbols are… –Explain the symbol What does the symbol represent This symbol represents…

5. Steps to Analyzing a P.C. Step 3 Analyze part 2: Exaggeration –Identify the exaggeration What exaggeration(s) do you see? The exaggerations are… –Explain the exaggeration What does the exaggeration mean? This exaggeration means…

6. Steps to Analyzing a P.C. Step 4 Message (5 sentences): Answer the following questions- –What does the artist want to say about the situation, event or person? –Is it favorable or unfavorable? –Give 3 supports to back up your conclusion. –Explain each support

7. Steps to Analyzing a P.C. Final Step, But 1 st Section of P.C. Analysis!! What is the topic of this p.c.? What subject is this about? Why learn it last when it is the first section of your p.c. analysis? –Once you gather all the information through the previous steps, you can make an educated statement of what the topic of the p.c. is.

8. RE-CAP 1 st : TOPIC and SUBJECT of p.c. 2 nd : DESCRIBE in detail the p.c. 3 rd : Analysis of SYMBOLS 4 TH : Analysis of EXAGGERATIONS 5 TH : MESSAGE

9. Who is this? U.S. President Barack Obama (2008-Present) Major campaign poster used to help win the presidential election

10. Cartoon 1 –describe –2 symbols & meaning –2 exaggerations & meaning –Decide if: Favorable or Unfavorable? Cartoon 2 –describe –2 symbols & meaning –2 exaggerations & meaning –Decide if: Favorable or Unfavorable? Analysis-Choose 1 & answer Q

11. What is the message? Choose one of the cartoons and write what you think is the message. –What does the artist want to say about the situation, event or person? –Give 3 supports to back up your conclusion. –Explain each support

12. So, What is the topic of this P.C.? 1 sentence saying what the topic of this p.c. is. Help: The topic of this political cartoon is… Fill in the Blank.