1. What message do you think the author is trying to send?

2. Political Cartoon Notes
So adults can get away with watching cartoons

3. Basics
A political cartoon is a cartoon that makes a point about a political issue or event.
A good political cartoon makes you think about current events, but it also tries to sway your opinion toward the cartoonist’s point of view
Persuasive Techniques: Used to get point across

4. Symbolism
Simple objects, or symbols, to stand for larger concepts or ideas.
Identify the symbols in a cartoon, and determine what the cartoonist intends each symbol to stand for.

5. What symbols are present?
Tammany Political Machine
Big Boss William Tweed (political boss)
Lady Liberty

6. Exaggeration
Sometimes cartoonists overdo, or exaggerate, the physical characteristics of people or things in order to make a point.
Look for any characteristics that seem overdone or overblown.
Then, decide what point the cartoonist was trying to make through exaggeration.

7. Is exaggeration present in this cartoon? Why or why not?

8. How is this an example of exaggeration?

9. Labeling
Cartoonists often label objects or people to make it clear exactly what they stand for.
CAPTIONS ARE NOT LABELING

10. Is labeling present in this cartoon? Why or why not?

11. Where Is labeling present and where is it NOT in this cartoon?

12. Analogy
An analogy is a comparison between two unlike things that share some characteristics. By comparing a complex issue or situation with a more familiar one, cartoonists can help their readers see it in a different light.
What two situations does the cartoon compare?

13. What two situations are being compared in this cartoon?
Roman coliseum where innocent Christians were killed for sport by the Caesar to…
…Lady Liberty being slaughtered for the amusement and gain of Tweed and him Democratic Political Machine

14. Irony
Irony is the difference between the ways things are and the way things should be, or the way things are expected to be.
Think about what point the irony might be intended to emphasize. Does the irony help the cartoonist express his or her opinion more effectively?

15. How is this situation Ironic?
The situation is ironic because even though the man saved like the squirrel did he lost everything because of the bank failure

16. Analysis Questions What issue is this political cartoon about?
What is the cartoonist’s opinion on this issue?
What other opinion can you imagine another person having on this issue?
Did you find this cartoon persuasive? Why or why not?
What other techniques could the cartoonist have used to make this cartoon more persuasive?

17. Source/Extra Practice