Political Cartoons Activity

Cartoons are a way of expressing an opinion. Cartoons have been used in publications for

hundreds of years. Early cartoons were used to give messages to people who could not read.

The first political cartoon in America appeared in Ben Franklin's newspaper The Pennsylvania Gazette on May 9, 1754. It

appeared as part of an editorial by Franklin commenting on 'the present disunited state of the British Colonies.' The woodcut drawing entitled 'Join or Die' pictures a divided snake in eight

pieces representing as many colonial governments.

Another early cartoon appeared in the Massachusetts Centinel on January 30, 1788. Entitled 'The Federal Superstructure,' the drawing shows a hand helping to raise the Massachusetts pillar to an upright

position. Shown in position 'having already ratified the new document' are pillars representing the states of Delaware, Pennsylvania, New

Jersey, Georgia and Connecticut.

Analyzing aPolitical Cartoon

Cartoonists use several techniques for getting their message across.

CaricatureExaggerationStereotyping

SymbolsSatire

Labeling

Caricature

• Changing or distorting a person’s features in a way that makes the person recognizable

Obama and McCainPalinand

Biden

Exaggeration

• Overemphasizing an event or situation

Stereotyping

• Showing all persons of the same group looking and acting the same way

Symbols

• Using a sign or object to stand for something

Satire

• Using wit and ridicule to make fun of something that seems wrong

Labeling

• Using written words to identify figures and causes

Analyzing a Political Cartoon

What is the title of the cartoon?

Who is the author?

Analyzing a Political Cartoon

What objects or people do you see in the

cartoon?

Analyzing a Political Cartoon

What objects or people are symbols?

What do they mean?

Analyzing a Political Cartoon

What important clues (words, places, numbers)

are in the cartoon?

Analyzing a Political Cartoon

What is happening in the cartoon?

Analyzing a Political Cartoon

What is the political or social issue presented in

the cartoon?

Analyzing a Political Cartoon

What is the cartoonist’s viewpoint on this issue?

How do you know?

Analyzing a Political Cartoon

Who might agree or disagree with the cartoon? Why?

Analyzing a Political Cartoon

Issue?Gun ControlCaricature?NoExaggeration?Gun?Stereotyping?NRASymbols?Security BlanketThumb SuckingSatire?Gun- Assult vs. HuntingLabeling?“The right to bear arms”National Rifle AssociationAssult/Hunting RifleWhat is the main point of this cartoon? What is the author trying to get across?

Analyzing a Political Cartoon

Issue?Minimum WageCaricature?NoExaggeration?

Stereotyping?

Symbols?Money/Car

Satire?

Labeling?CEO Salaries What is the main point of this cartoon? What is the author trying to get across?

Political Cartoon Analysis

• Give each group member a copy of the cartoon

• Choose a recorder to write down your answers

• Analyze the cartoon as a group and complete the Political Cartoon Analysis sheet

• Be prepared to share

Cartoon 1Issue?Possible War in IranCaricature?George Bush/Dick CheneyExaggeration?NoStereotyping?NoSymbols?Instruments –WMDs/Iran WarUncle Sam – U.S. GovernmentSatire?“Where have I heard that tune before?”Labeling?WMDs/Iran War/Iraq

Cartoon 2Issue?Global WarmingCaricature?Arnold SchwarzeneggerExaggeration?NoStereotyping?NoSymbols?Hummer – Political Platform Satire?Wanting to end global warming while standing on a gas-guzzling HummerLabeling?Arnold

Cartoon 3Issue?ImmigrationCaricature?NoExaggeration?NoStereotyping?NoSymbols?Donkey – Democrats Elephant – Republican Van – Immigration ReformSatire?“On the right track”“On the fence”Labeling?Immigration Overhaul/1986

Cartoon 4Issue?Unemployment/WarsCaricature?NoExaggeration?“Easier to find a war than a job”Stereotyping?NoSymbols?NoSatire?“Easier to find a war than a job”Labeling?No

Cartoon 5Issue?BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of MexicoCaricature?Barack ObamaExaggeration?NoStereotyping?NoSymbols?NoSatire?Oil spill is eating away at Obama’s approval ratingLabeling?Approval Rating

Cartoon 6Issue?Foreign WarsCaricature?NoExaggeration?USA stuck in quicksandStereotyping?NoSymbols?Man – USA Quicksand – Iraq/Afghanistan Satire?Out of one problem and into anotherLabeling?USA/Iraq/Afghanistan