EDITORIAL EDITORIAL CartooningCartooning

JESHREL B. PLAZAMADRID NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

MADRID , SURIGAO DEL SUR

An editorial cartoon is a An editorial cartoon is a strong advertising technique when strong advertising technique when designed properly. Every good designed properly. Every good cartoon has several things in cartoon has several things in common. An effective cartoon is a common. An effective cartoon is a visualvisual communications tool. communications tool.

Characteristics of a Good Editorial Cartoon

It does the job quickly

It gets attention

it is convincing

It is simple

An editorial cartoons’ job is to communicate

your information quickly and efficiently. An

effective poster will help you engage

colleagues in conversation and get your main

point(s) across to as many people as possible.

A cartoon is not just a standard research paper

stuck to a board. An effective cartoon uses a

different, visual grammar.

It shows, not tells.

It avoids visual chaos, with many jagged edges or

various-sized boards that distract the viewer.

Instead, it guides the viewer by using a visual

logic, with an hierarchical structure that

emphasizes the main points.

As mentioned, you do not want to include too much As mentioned, you do not want to include too much

information in your editorial cartooning. However, information in your editorial cartooning. However,

you have to give your readers enough to convince you have to give your readers enough to convince

them that what you are saying is accurate. Use them that what you are saying is accurate. Use

short but strong statements to back up your short but strong statements to back up your

claims. claims.

Focused. Focused on a single message.

Graphic. Let graphs and images tell the story; uses text sparingly.

Ordered. Keeps the sequence well-ordered and obvious.

An effective cartoon is ...

Some of the most effective cartoons are

surprisingly simple. Some cartoons do not

even have any text at all, just some well

placed images and strategically chosen

colors.

• An editorial cartoon typically only has one frame

in which to get its message across, so you'll need

to turn something that could be quite

complicated into a simple drawing that is

understandable to most readers.

• It helps if you've got a clear idea of the point

you're trying to make -- and make sure it is just

one point -- otherwise your cartoon could become

cluttered and too complex by trying to say many

things at once.

Complexity into Simplicity

• You don't have to create a masterpiece every

time you draw an editorial cartoon, but your

illustration does need to be accessible and

aesthetically pleasing to some extent. As

suggested by the Union of Concerned Scientists,

consider the lines and shapes you use, which

should reflect a reasonable standard of drawing

and be easy to follow to avoid readers being put

off by the cartoon.

Aesthetic Elements

• However you choose to draw the image and whatever your However you choose to draw the image and whatever your

message, you've got to aim to trigger an emotional message, you've got to aim to trigger an emotional

response of some kind in the reader. An editorial cartoon response of some kind in the reader. An editorial cartoon

that causes no reaction doesn't say much about your that causes no reaction doesn't say much about your

abilities in the field. abilities in the field.

• Typically, a cartoonist will aim to make readers laugh Typically, a cartoonist will aim to make readers laugh

through her creation, so it's worth injecting humor into your through her creation, so it's worth injecting humor into your

work; but editorial cartoons also can be designed to cause work; but editorial cartoons also can be designed to cause

controversy, if the issue involved is polarizing.controversy, if the issue involved is polarizing.

Go for EmotionGo for Emotion

• Many editorial cartoonists draw inspiration for their Many editorial cartoonists draw inspiration for their

work from national news, but since these are events work from national news, but since these are events

that affect the whole country, it means you'll be up that affect the whole country, it means you'll be up

against plenty of stiff competition if you're also against plenty of stiff competition if you're also

trying to base cartoons on these subjects If you're trying to base cartoons on these subjects If you're

looking to get your work noticed, try instead to draw looking to get your work noticed, try instead to draw

cartoons based around the news in your area. You cartoons based around the news in your area. You

might draw about local politicians or scandals, for might draw about local politicians or scandals, for

example. As the MacKay Editorial Cartoons website example. As the MacKay Editorial Cartoons website

suggests, local newspapers need content, and this suggests, local newspapers need content, and this

gives you an opportunity to provide it and get gives you an opportunity to provide it and get

published.published.

Target Local News

• Any cartoon must be original, and this is especially the case if you're Any cartoon must be original, and this is especially the case if you're

commenting on a statewide or national issue that's likely to be commenting on a statewide or national issue that's likely to be

addressed by multiple other cartoonists. Even if your view is similar addressed by multiple other cartoonists. Even if your view is similar

to many other people's, you need to find your own take on any news.to many other people's, you need to find your own take on any news.

  

Originality

EDITORIAL CARTOONING EDITORIAL CARTOONING SYMBOLSSYMBOLS

Pencil/Pen/Newspaper Pencil/Pen/Newspaper

= journalism, media= journalism, media

Dove = peace, freedomDove = peace, freedom

Salakot = Juan dela Cruz representing a Filipino citizen

Chain = maltreatment

Syringe = death sentence, drug addiction

Crocodile = abusive person of authority

Beggar = poverty

Mallet = justice

blindfolded woman carrying a weighing scale = justice

big waves = hindrances, advertises

mask = deceivermask = deceiver

eagle = bravery, strength

high rising building = development, progress

key = success

huge rock = tough situation, obstacle

rising sun = hoperising sun = hope

multi-tattooed man = criminal, bad man

skull with crossed bones = danger or death