1. Using Visual Language to Persuade
Analysing Cartoons
Using Visual Language to Persuade

2. What to look for: What is the issue?
What is the cartoonist suggesting about the issue?
What ‘side’ is the cartoonist on”? How effective do you find this presentation?

3. What to look for:
Cartoonists often exaggerate details and symbols to make their point dramatically. What exaggeration is going on, if any, in your cartoons?
What textual information do you get about the issue? One well-worn technique is a scrap of paper floating across the cartoon with some words on it, or newspapers piled up.

4. What to look for:
How are the characters positioned and presented? Is one placed above another? Are they the same size?
What are the facial expressions? What are the characters actually doing?
What props or symbols are apparent and what do they represent?

5. What to look for:
What background details are evident: a torn flag, a stormy cloud or a disgruntled-looking crowd behind the figures can often provide important visual ‘clues’ about the view of the cartoonist and form important components of the visual language.