Political Cartoons
Pictures with a Point
A political cartoon is a cartoon that makes a point about a political issue or event, especially the faces of politics. You can find them in any daily newspaper, magazines and online across editorial publications.
Political cartoons can be very funny, humorous and relatable especially if you understand the issue that they’re commenting on. Their main purpose however isn't to make you laugh but to persuade. A good political cartoon makes you think about current events, but it also tries to sway your opinion toward the cartoonist’s point of view. The best political cartoonist can change your mind on an issue without you even realizing how he or she did it.
Political cartoonist use a range of methodoglies in order to get their point or opinion across. Some of the techniques cartoonists use the most are symbolism, exaggeration, labeling, analogy, and irony. the only problem is you must be aware that some cartoons will have political slant or bas as they are the viewpoints of the artist and not alway the correct one. The range of methodologies used by cartoonists are symbolism, exaggeration, labelling, analogy and irony.
Symbolism
Cartoonists use simple objects, or symbols, to stand for larger concepts or ideas. These could be anywhere within the cartoon and could mean a range of things. If you have a good understanding of politics these sorts of things should be easy to identify.
Exaggeration
Sometimes cartoonists overdo, or exaggerate, the physical characteristics of people or things in order to make a point. A lot of cartoonist make caricatures of politicians to emphasis negative traits, beliefs to make a better impression and to further mock their practices or beliefs.
Labeling
Cartoonists often label objects or people to make it clear exactly what they stand for.
Analogy
An analogy is a comparison between two unlike things that share some characteristics. By comparing a complex issue or situation with a more familiar one, cartoonists can help their readers see it in a different light.
Irony
Irony is the difference between the ways things are and the way things should be, or the way things are expected to be. Cartoonists often use irony to express their opinion on an issue.
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| Figure 1 - David Horsey. Here we can see an exaggeration on facial features, highlighting Trump's obsession with tweeting and also discussing an issue that is in the minds of lots of people |
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| Figure 2 - Marshall Ramsey - Here is an exaggeration of Trump's hair and portraying him as santa. This topic his something of a big issue to people. Everything is lately for better understanding. |
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| Figure 3 - First published in The International New York Times, June 23, 2016 | By Chappatte, uses labelling, irony, and exaggeration. |
Figure 1 - 2 - U. S. News & World Report LP.
Figure 3 - Oliveira, I. (2016) Cartoonists draw Brexit.
Bibliography
- About this activity - it’s no laughing matter: Analyzing political cartoons- classroom activity (no date) Available at: http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/activities/political-cartoon/about.html (Accessed: 10 December 2016).
- Analyzing political cartoons - educator’s guides: North Carolina digital history (2010) Available at: http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/nchist-eg/6460 (Accessed: 10 December 2016).
- Cartoon analysis guide - it’s no laughing matter: Analyzing political cartoons- classroom activity (no date) Available at: http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/activities/political-cartoon/cag.html (Accessed: 10 December 2016).
- Oliveira, I. (2016) Cartoonists draw Brexit. Available at: http://www.politico.eu/interactive/brexit-eu-referendum-leave-david-cameron-boris-johnson-nigel-farage-ukip-cartoons/ (Accessed: 10 December 2016).
- U. S. News & World Report LP. (no date) Available at: http://www.usnews.com/opinion/news/cartoons/cartoons/2016-12-12/daily-cartoons (Accessed: 10 December 2016).
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