Download GLE #68 - Louisiana 101

POLITICAL CARTOONS
8th Grade Social Studies; GLE #68
Copyright 2008 by Paul Blankenship
Some rights reserved; see http://www.paulblankenship.com for Creative Commons license.
Grade-Level Expectation
History
Historical Thinking Skills
Benchmark: H-1A-M4; analyzing historical data using primary and secondary sources; (1, 2, 3, 4)
GLE #68. Interpret a political cartoon (H-1A-M4)
Objective
We will interpret a political cartoon using the GLE #68 Worksheet.
We will measure learning on the next Binder Check.
Introduction
Political cartoons use humor or irony to make a point.
Political cartoons lampoon political figures.
Political cartoons are a longstanding tradition.
Interpreting political cartoons is an aspect of being an informed citizen.
People
Who is in the cartoon?
What is their role in politics? What offices, if any, do they hold?
What is their role in the cartoon?
How does the caricature communicate the opinion of the cartoonist about the subject of the cartoon?
Symbols
What common visual symbols are in the cartoon?
Political cartoons have developed a “vocabulary” of commonly understood symbols.
Examples include Uncle Sam, the American eagle, the British bulldog, the Democratic donkey, the
Republican elephant, Lady Justice (wearing a blindfold, holding a scale and a sword), and the Statue
of Liberty.
The Cartoonist
What is the opinion of the cartoonist?
Does the cartoonist show any signs of bias?
Is the argument implicit in the cartoon reasonable? Is it supported by the facts?
Is the cartoon propaganda?
The Assignment
Using the political cartoon provided, complete the GLE #68 Worksheet.
For more examples of political cartoons and cartoonists see:
http://del.icio.us/LouisianaStudies/gle68