1. Analyzing Political Cartoons
What is a political cartoon?
Interpretive drawing, sometimes with words, that convey an idea or message about a current issue, event, or problem.
Are simple, usually black and white, graphic depictions of a news story or event.
Portray people’s attitudes about a problem or issue.

3. Common characteristics for a good political cartoon:
Wit and humor used to send a message.
The cartoon must have a foundation in truth.
Characters should be recognizable
The cartoon should have a moral purpose - should provide opportunities to inform the viewer about an issue and allow for critical thinking

4. Interpreting a Political Cartoon – 5 Techniques
1. Symbolism
Cartoonists use simple objects, or symbols, to stand for larger concepts or ideas.
After you identify the symbols in a cartoon, think about what the cartoonist intends each symbol to stand for.

6. Interpreting a Political Cartoon – 5 Techniques
2. Exaggeration
Sometimes cartoonists overdo, or exaggerate, the physical characteristics of people or things in order to make a point.
When you study a cartoon, look for any characteristics that seem overdone or overblown. Then, try to decide what point the cartoonist was trying to make through exaggeration.

8. Interpreting a Political Cartoon – 5 Techniques
3. Labeling
Cartoonists often label objects or people to make it clear exactly what they stand for.
Does the label make the meaning of the object more clear?

10. Interpreting a Political Cartoon – 5 Techniques
4. 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.

12. Interpreting a Political Cartoon – 5 Techniques
5. Irony
Irony is the difference between the ways 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.

14. More info Powerful people are usually fat, large people
Weak people are usually skinny, small people
Green – environmental
Red – communist
Good guys usually wear white
Bad guys usually wear black

15. Curiosity Landing on Mars
Is there
Symbolism?
Is there an exaggeration?
What is labeled?
Is there an analogy? What is being compared?
Is there irony that expresses an opinion?

16. Curiosity Landing on Mars
The exaggeration is….
There are no aliens on Mars.
Curiosity’s landing is similar to a perfect Olympic landing.
The alien’s t-shirt and Curiosity are labeled.
The Flag is symbolic of America. The alien’s shirt represents the Olympics.
The analogy is…..
The labels are….
The symbolism is..

17. National Debate on Gun Laws
Is there
Symbolism?
Is there an exaggeration?
What is labeled?
Is there an analogy? What is being compared?
Is there irony that expresses an opinion?

18. National Debate on Gun Laws
Exaggeration is…..
You can not zip someone's lips.
A zipper is being compared censorship.
Uncle Sam is symbolic of the Federal Government.
The lapel and the lock are labeled.
The analogy is…….
The symbolism is…..
The labels are…..

19. Now it’s your turn! Ready?
Look at the next slide and answer the questions. Then check to see how good you did.

20. Bush and Obama Portrait
Is there an exaggeration?
Is there
Symbolism?
Is there an analogy? What is being compared?
What is labeled?
Is there irony that expresses an opinion?

21. Bush and Obama Portrait
The size of the Bushes Ears are exaggerated.
Is that Obama is fixing problems Bush created.
The Irony is that some people are blaming Obama for all of America’s problems.
The portrait is a symbol of a presidents legacy.
The portrait is labeled.
Exaggeration is…..
The analogy is…….
The irony is…..
The symbolism is…..
The labels are…..