Download Political Cartoons - Brookwood High School

 Political cartoons provide a visual
means by which individuals can
express their opinions. They have
been used throughout history to
engage viewers in discussion about
an event, issue, or individual.
The political cartoon can be traced back
to the 1400s; however, it became a
popular art form in the 1700s in Europe.
 In America, the political cartoon
obtained dominance during the
Revolutionary War. It made it possible to
satirize events, uniting colonists in their
struggle for independence against
Britain.
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Comic art is the most
innocent form of
cartoon comment.
The artist’s goal is
simple entertainment.
This kind of art tries
for a humorous and
good-humored
observation on daily
life and problems.
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Social Comments are a little
more cutting edge added to
the comic art. In such
cartoons, the artist aspires to
comment about daily life and
its problems. The purpose s to
bring a smile of recognition,
hopefully to make life and its
irritations a little easier to
take. The social cartoon tends
to have a more objective point
of view.
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Political cartoons have a
very subjective view point.
The goal of the political
cartoon is to try to
influence the viewer to
adopt a particular
viewpoint or make him/her
take action.
They are generally partisan
messages for viewers about
what they should think or
do politically.
Most political cartoons are
a form of journalistic
comment with regard to
specific political events of
the day, similar to an
editorial
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Propaganda
Draw attention to an idea or event
Present a point of view
Encourage a course of action
Stimulate debate on an issue or event
A political cartoon can serve more than one
purpose at a time.

Symbolism: any object or design that stands for
something else.
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Exaggeration and Distortion (hyperbole): changes
in size or shape that often add to the cartoon’s
point. Distorting an object means changing it in
some way to make it look funny, ugly, etc.
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Captions: words used to reinforce the cartoon’s
non-verbal features. Words help the other parts of
the cartoon make an overall point.
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Humor and irony: Irony is a type of humor.
Verbal, situational, or dramatic irony help
cartoonists present an idea in such an odd way
that the view seems ridiculous.

Stereotyping: a simplistic view of some group.
It is often insulting and does not leave room
for individuality.
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Caricatures: a portrayal of a character’s
features in an exaggerated and distorted way
Cut and paste each of the provided cartoons into your
journal. Beside or underneath the cartoon answer/do the
following in complete sentences:
 What issue or event does the cartoon deal with?
 Describe what is taking place.
 What is the cartoon’s message?
 Who is the intended audience?
 What is the cartoonists point of view?
 What groups would agree or disagree with the
cartoon’s message?
 Identify which devices (the ones we just discussed and
any additional ones you see) the cartoon is utilizing
and WHY.
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Create your own political cartoon on a
current issue
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Consider your audience and purpose and
make sure your point of view is clear
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Use at least 2 devices we discussed