L.A.S.S.I.E. What is it? L.A.S.S.I.E. is an acronym (word formed from the first letter or letters of each of the parts of a term) for a technique used to analyze political cartoons. These cartoons are usually but not always, primary documents. How to do it. Each letter stands for an device used by the cartoonist to make his or her point. Take each letter in the acronym and determine if the cartoon possesses that feature. The following slides explain each feature or device and give an example. After you’ve examined the cartoon for the features you should be able to better understand the message the artist intended. Try it. Take each letter and examine the cartoon to determine if the feature is present, write down what you see and then try to sum up the artist’s message in a sentence or two.

L.A.S.S.I.E. What is it? L.A.S.S.I.E. is an acronym (word formed from the first letter or letters of each of the parts of a term) for a technique used to analyze political cartoons. These cartoons are usually but not always, primary documents. How to do it. Each letter stands for an device used by the cartoonist to make his or her point. Take each letter in the acronym and determine if the cartoon possesses that feature. The following slides explain each feature or device and give an example. After you’ve examined the cartoon for the features you should be able to better understand the message the artist intended. Try it. Take each letter and examine the cartoon to determine if the feature is present, write down what you see and then try to sum up the artist’s message in a sentence or two.

Labels- word or phrase on something that makes clear artist’s meaning

Analogies- comparison of two unlike things that have some similarity Comparing ______________________ to __________________________

Analogies- comparison of two unlike things that have some similarity a snake Comparing ______________________ to __________________________

Analogies- comparison of two unlike things that have some similarity a snake Comparing ______________________ to __________________________ the colonies

Symbols- objects used to represent larger ideas Symbols must be recognized by artist & audience!

Satire humor or ridicule intended to expose the truth

Irony- difference between how things are and how they should be or are expected to be

Exaggeration- overdoing physical characteristics to make a point

L.A.S.S.I.E. L.A.S.S.I.E. Artist’s message: What is it? L.A.S.S.I.E. is an acronym (word formed from the first letter or letters of each of the parts of a term) for a technique used to analyze political cartoons. These cartoons are usually but not always, primary documents. How to do it. Each letter stands for an device used by the cartoonist to make his or her point. Take each letter in the acronym and determine if the cartoon possesses that feature. The following slides explain each feature or device and give an example. After you’ve examined the cartoon for the features you should be able to better understand the message the artist intended. Try it. Take each letter and examine the cartoon to determine if the feature is present, write down what you see and then try to sum up the artist’s message in a sentence or two. L.A.S.S.I.E. Artist’s message: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________