1. The Elements of a Political Cartoon Interactive Learning Game

2. PLAY
GALLERY
CREDITS
Hello! I’m Mags the Magnifier! I’ve come all the way from Planet Two Left Thumbs to teach you all about how to analyze political cartoons.
Click on Gallery if you’d like to see some of my favorite American political cartoons. Click on Credits to see acknowledgments regarding the making of this program. Press Play if you’d just like to get started with Elements of a Political Cartoon.

3. Exaggeration Tutorial
Today’s goal is to to learn about the 5 elements of political cartoons.
Click on any of the tutorials to get started! Don’t forget to take the quiz after you have read the text and analyzed the cartoon. Click the magnifying glass to take a closer look at each picture.
Symbolism Tutorial
Labeling Tutorial
Irony Tutorial
Analogy Tutorial

4. Political Cartoon Sample
Symbolism: Cartoonists persuade their audience with the use of simple objects, or symbols to represent larger concepts or ideas.
This is America’s first political cartoon and it was created by Ben Franklin. Here, we can see that the snake symbolizes the 13 colonies. United, the colonies could be a deadly force. Apart, however, Franklin believes they will perish. What better way to show this than with a chopped snake!
Quiz
Political Cartoon Sample

5. Exaggeration: Sometimes cartoonists persuade their audience by overdoing, or magnifying a problem or the physical characteristics of people or things to make a point.
Lots of exaggeration here folks! Was Standard OIl really an evil monster controlling government and industry? That’s up to you to decide, but from the looks of Keppler’s cartoon we can certainly tell what he thinks about the power of monopolies in the 1900s.
Quiz

6. Labeling: Cartoonists often persuade their audience by labeling objects or people to make it clear exactly what they stand for.
Labels are really important in this 1800s cartoon about tariffs. The compass shows us who is who. The “Tariffs” and “Taxes” labels show us the heavy economic burden faced by the South. “Union” shows us that the South is held to the North against its will. And the sign that says “Domestic Manufactures” shows us that the North is in business while the southern economy has dried up, The beached ship and “Tolet” (for rent) sign show us this. With out these labels we’d be lost!
Quiz

7. Analogy: 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 persuade their audience to see it in a different light.
This cartoon is a great example of how authors of political cartoons use analogies to persuade their audience. Here, Teddy Roosevelt is depicted as Goliath while the David is depicted by the US Constitution. The analogy of the President being huge and powerful, compared to the tiny, seemingly powerless Constitution is a perfect analogy depicting the abuse of Executive power.
Quiz

8. Irony: Irony is the difference between the way things are and the way things should be, or the way things are expected to be. Cartoonists often use irony to express their opinion on an issue.
In this cartoon depicting the Gilded Age irony is the name of the game. Here representatives should be concerned with the desires of the people, but instead they are being represented as tools of the business elite. Look closely, at the big-wigs in the back representing powerful monopolies, which certainly isn’t the way things are expected to be.
Quiz

9. Symbolism Question 1
What simple object/s does the artist use to represent the concept of Trump being more pro- military than Obama? A
A fighter jet C
The key and the tire lock B
The metals on the officer’s uniform D
Trump’s bright red tie

10. Exaggeration Question 1
What aspect of the cartoon is the artist most “overdoing” or “magnifying” to persuade their audience to see student debt as a serious problem? A
Debt as a man-eating snake C
Graduation as a happy experience B
Debt a selfie opportunity D
Humans bonding with snakes

11. Irony Question 1
Which symbol does the author NOT use to show irony, or “ the difference between the way things are and the way they should be”? A
The “Men Only” sign C
The American Flag B
Uncle Sam’s hat D
The newspaper headline and word bubble

12. Minions and the President are the same. C
Analogy Question 1
Analogy is a comparison between two unlike things that share some characteristics. Here, the author uses the analogy of Minions serving President Trump to show that A
Minions and the President are the same. C
the GOP controls the President. B
the President dislikes the Minions. D
the GOP is “blindly following a villain”.

13. Labeling Question 1
Which choice below would be the most effective label the artist could place over the mosquito, according to the rest of the image? A
“USA” C
“Debt” B
“Freedom” D
“Bill of Rights”

14. Citations
Library of Congress “Elements of a Political Cartoon, It’s no Laughing Matter”
Stanford University “Beyond the Bubble” “Next by Udo J Keppler” (public property because of the date it was created)
Pencil:
Clip Art Graphic of a Blue Handled Magnifying Glass Cartoon Character Peeking Around a Corner
Desktop Background:

15. What point is the artist making
What point is the artist making? What are they persuading their audience to believe?

16. “Join or Die”, Ben Franklin 1754

17. “Next!” Joseph Keppler, 1904

18. Tariff of Abominations, 1832- Unknown Author

19. “Jack and the Giant”, Joseph Keppler 1903

20. “The Bosses of the Senate”, Joseph Keppler 1889

21. CLICK HERE
CORRECT!
What simple object/s does the artist use to represent the concept of Trump being more pro- military than Obama? A
A fighter jet C
The key and the tire lock B
The metals on the officer’s uniform D
Trump’s bright red tie

22. You’re Fired! Try Again! Incorrect! CLICK HERE to try again
What simple object/s does the artist use to represent the concept of Trump being more pro- military than Obama? A
A fighter jet C
The key and the tire lock B
The metals on the officer’s uniform D
Trump’s bright red tie

23. CLICK HERE
CORRECT!
What aspect of the cartoon is the artist most “overdoing” or “magnifying” to persuade their audience to see student debt as a serious problem? A
Debt as a man-eating snake C
Graduation as a happy experience B
Debt a selfie opportunity D
Humans bonding with snakes

24. Incorrect! Yikes! Try Again! CLICK HERE to try again
What aspect of the cartoon is the artist most “overdoing” or “magnifying” to persuade their audience to see student debt as a serious problem? A
Debt as a man-eating snake C
Graduation as a happy experience B
Debt a selfie opportunity D
Humans bonding with snakes

25. CLICK HERE
CORRECT!
Which symbol does the author NOT use to show irony, or “ the difference between the way things are and the way they should be”? A
The “Men Only” sign C
The American Flag B
Uncle Sam’s hat D
The newspaper headline and word bubble

26. Sorry, not quite. Try again my friend.
CLICK HERE to try again
Sorry, not quite. Try again my friend.
Incorrect!
Which symbol does the author NOT use to show irony, or “ the difference between the way things are and the way they should be”? A
The “Men Only” sign C
The American Flag B
Uncle Sam’s hat D
The newspaper headline and word bubble

27. CORRECT! CLICK HERE A C the GOP controls the President B
Analogy is a comparison between two unlike things that share some characteristics. Here, the author uses the analogy of Minions serving President Trump to show that A
Minions and the President are the same C
the GOP controls the President B
the President dislikes the Minions D
the GOP is “blindly following a villain”

28. Incorrect! You’re Fired! Try Again! CLICK HERE to try again A C
Analogy is a comparison between two unlike things that share some characteristics. Here, the author uses the analogy of Minions serving President Trump to show that A
Minions and the President are the same C
The GOP controls the President B
The President dislikes the Minions D
the GOP is “blindly following a villain”

29. CORRECT! Labeling Question 1 CLICK HERE
Which choice below would be the most effective label the artist could place over the mosquito, according to the rest of the image?
“Debt” A
“USA” C B
“Freedom” D
“Bill of Rights”

30. Sorry, Try Again! Incorrect! CLICK HERE to try again
Which choice below would be the most effective label the artist could place over the mosquito, according to the rest of the image? A
“USA” C
“Debt” B
“Freedom” D
“Bill of Rights”

31. The men covering their faces D The men facing away from each other
Irony Question 2
Which symbol/label does the author NOT use to show irony, or “ the difference between the way things are and the way they should be”?
The police cap
“America’s Conversation on Race and Violence Continues..” A C B
The men covering their faces D
The men facing away from each other

32. CLICK HERE
CORRECT!
Which symbol/label does the author NOT use to show irony, or “ the difference between the way things are and the way they should be”?
“America’s Conversation on Race and Violence Continues..” A
The police cap C B
The men covering their faces D
The men facing away from each other

33. Incorrect! CLICK HERE to try again
Which symbol/label does the author NOT use to show irony, or “ the difference between the way things are and the way they should be”?
“America’s Conversation on Race and Violence Continues..” A
The police cap C B
The men covering their faces D
The men facing away from each other

34. Labeling Question 2
Which choice below would be the most effective label the artist could place over the van, according to the rest of the image? A
“Vote for Obama” C
“Walmart” B
“Bridges Incorporated” D
“US Infrastructure Survey”

35. CORRECT! CLICK HERE IRONY
Which choice below would be the most effective label the artist could place over the van, according to the rest of the image? A
“Vote for Obama” C
“Walmart” B
“Bridges Incorporated” D
“US Infrastructure Survey”

36. Incorrect! CLICK HERE to try again IRONY
Which choice below would be the most effective label the artist could place over the van, according to the rest of the image? A
“Vote for Obama” C
“Walmart” B
“Bridges Incorporated” D
“US Infrastructure Survey”

37. Exaggeration Question 2
What things or people did the artist NOT exaggerate to persuade their audience that the environment is being destroyed? A
The peoples’ clothing C
Dark, smoggy skies B
Factories polluting the ocean D
The label Earth Day, 2035

38. CLICK HERE
CORRECT!
What things or people did the artist NOT exaggerate to persuade their audience that the environment is being destroyed? A
The peoples’ clothing C
Dark, smoggy skies B
Factories polluting the ocean D
The label Earth Day, 2035

39. Incorrect! CLICK HERE to try again
What things or people did the artist NOT exaggerate to persuade their audience that the environment is being destroyed? A
The peoples’ clothing C
Dark, smoggy skies B
Factories polluting the ocean D
The label Earth Day, 2035

40. Symbolism Question 2
What symbols does the author use to persuade their audience that cellphones are making people more disconnected from each other? A
Large, floating cellphones C
Islands
People using their cellphones B D
All of the above
Symbolism

41. CLICK HERE
CORRECT!
What symbols does the author use to persuade their audience that cellphones are making people more disconnected from each other? A
Large, floating cellphones C
Islands B
People using their cellphones D
All of the above
Symbolism

42. Incorrect! CLICK HERE to try again
What symbols does the author use to persuade their audience that cellphones are making people more disconnected from each other? A
Large, floating cellphones C
Islands B
People using their cellphones D
All of the above
Symbolism

43. The other branches are no longer necessary A
Analogy Question 2
Here, the artist uses the analogy of the Executive Branch of Government cutting off it’s own limbs to persuade their audience that…
The other branches are no longer necessary A
Chainsaws need to be banned C B
The current Executive is abusing their power D
The Executive Branch has the most power

44. CLICK HERE
CORRECT!
Here, the artist uses the analogy of the Executive Branch of Government cutting off it’s own limbs to persuade their audience that…
The other branches are no longer necessary
The Executive Branch has the most power A
Chainsaws need to be banned C B
The current Executive is abusing their power D

45. Incorrect! CLICK HERE to try again
Here, the artist uses the analogy of the Executive Branch of Government cutting off it’s own limbs to persuade their audience that…
The other branches are no longer necessary A
Chainsaws need to be banned C B
The current executive is abusing their power D
The Executive Branch has the most power

46. Elements of a Political Cartoon by Thomas Chervenak
NPMS New York (Social Studies 7 and 8)
The purpose of this multimedia program is to teach students the basic elements of a political cartoon. As you will see each slide highlights examples of each element using Keppler’s famous “Next” cartoon which is a commentary regarding the unchecked power and disproportionate influence of the Standard Oil Company on the US government.
NYS Common Core Standards:
8.1f Muckrakers and Progressive Era reformers sought to address political and social issues at the local, state, and federal levels of government between 1890 and These efforts brought renewed attention to women’s rights and the suffrage movement and spurred the creation of government policies to enact reform.
Students will investigate muckrakers and reformers such as Jane Addams, Florence Kelley, W. E .B. du Bois, Ida Tarbell, Eugene V. Debs, Jacob Riis, Booker T. Washington, and Upton Sinclair. Student investigations should include the issue(s) at hand in the individual’s work and the actions that individual took/recommended to address those issues.

47. Elements of Political Cartoon
Title Slide
Irony
Tutorial
Analogy
Symbolism
Exaggeration
Labeling
Assessment 1 2 3 4 5
Menu
Gallery
Credits
Start
Play Again

48. What point is the artist making
What point is the artist making? What elements of a political cartoon are they using to persuade their audience?

49. What point is the artist making
What point is the artist making? What elements of a political cartoon are they using to persuade their audience?

50. What point is the artist making
What point is the artist making? What elements of a political cartoon are they using to persuade their audience?

51. What point is the artist making
What point is the artist making? What elements of a political cartoon are they using to persuade their audience?

52. What point is the artist making
What point is the artist making? What elements of a political cartoon are they using to persuade their audience?

53. What point is the artist making
What point is the artist making? What elements of a political cartoon are they using to persuade their audience?

54. What point is the artist making
What point is the artist making? What elements of a political cartoon are they using to persuade their audience?

55. Credits Political Cartoon Credits “Join or Die” Ben Franklin, 1754
“The Bosses of the Senate”, Joseph Keppler 1889
“Next!” Joseph Keppler, 1904
“Jack and the Giant”, Joseph Keppler 1903
“Cellphone Islands” Pawel Kuczynski 2015
“Branches of Government” Gary Varvel 2016
“Clinton with a Big Nose” Gary Varvel 2016
“Graduation Selfie” Nate Beeler 2016
“Police Division” Kevin Siers 2016
“Trump Key to Military” Gary Varvel 2017
“ Uncle Sam at the Whitehouse”Adam Zylglis 2017
“Trump Minions” Patrick Chappatte, 2017
“Debt Mosquito” Gary Varvel 2017
“Infrastructure Problems” David Granlund 2017
“Earth Day 2015” Nath Paresh 2017
“Earth Day Now and Then” RJ Matsen 2017
“Unemployment Line” J. Ramirez 2017
“Poverty and Education” Hartford Currant 2017
“TR the Political Janus” Keppler Date Unknown
“Monopoly Snake” Keppler Date Unknown
Music: Shady Dave “Experience the Mind Piano Loop”
Magnifying Glass: PNGTree.com
School Desktop: Alibaba.com
Pencil: Istockphoto.com