Political Cartoons

A Political Cartoon is…

• an editorial using pictures rather than words to express the author’s opinions

• usually related to a current event or issue

• a way of expressing one’s feelings about politics or government policies using humor and art

Steps for interpreting a political cartoon:

• 1. Look for any symbols that hold a specific meaning or stand for something else (ex.: donkeys=democrats and elephants = republicans in the U.S.)

• 2. Try to figure out what current or historical issue the cartoon relates to based on the picture shown

• 3. Decide upon the author/artist’s intended meaning.

The first printed political cartoon

• Picture by Ben Franklin

• Snake is a symbol…• Refers to the colonies

needing to unite in order to be powerful

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Your next task…• TODAY, let’s practice. Choose a current

world issue/event and create your own cartoon that depicts it. Remember that it must show symbolism, point of view, and I must be able to clearly tell which event it relates to! Your political cartoon must be hand-drawn.

• Make a rough draft on notebook paper.• See me for white paper when you are ready

to make your final.• Use black pen or black color pencil.• Complete for homework – due tomorrow!

Due Next Class…

• Political Cartoon complete…

• Bring in political cartoon examples from newspapers or magazines or internet news sites for a positive