It

1
Its No Laughing Matter

• Understanding Political Cartoons

2
How Do I Know what the Cartoon is Saying?

• 5 Things to Look for
• 1. Symbolism
• Cartoonists use simple objects, or symbols, to
  stand for larger concepts or ideas.
• After you identify the symbols in a cartoon,
  think about what the cartoonist intends each
  symbol to stand for.

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How Do I Know what the Cartoon is Saying?

• 2. Exaggeration
• Sometimes cartoonists overdo, or exaggerate, the
  physical characteristics of people or things in
  order to make a point.
• When you study a cartoon, look for any
  characteristics that seem overdone or overblown.
  (Facial characteristics and clothing are some of
  the most commonly exaggerated characteristics.)
• Then, try to decide what point the cartoonist was
  trying to make through exaggeration.

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How Do I Know what the Cartoon is Saying

• 3. Labeling
• Cartoonists often label objects or people to make
  it clear exactly what they stand for.
• Watch out for the different labels that appear
  in a cartoon, and ask yourself why the cartoonist
  chose to label that particular person or object.
• Does the label make the meaning of the object
  more clear?

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How Do I Know what the Cartoon is Saying

• 4. 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.
• After youve studied a cartoon for a while, try
  to decide what the cartoons main analogy is.
  What two situations does the cartoon compare?
• Once you understand the main analogy, decide if
  this comparison makes the cartoonists point more
  clear to you.

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How Do I Know what the Cartoon is Saying?

• 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.
• When you look at a cartoon, see if you can find
  any irony in the situation the cartoon depicts.
  If you can, think about what point the irony
  might be intended to emphasize.
• Does the irony help the cartoonist express his or
  her opinion more effectively

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Once youve identified the persuasive techniques
that the cartoonist used, ask yourself

• What issue is this political cartoon about?
• What is the cartoonists opinion on this issue?
• What other opinion can you imagine another person
  having on this issue?
• Did you find this cartoon persuasive? Why or why
  not?
• What other techniques could the cartoonist have
  used to make this cartoon more persuasive?

8
Curiosity Landing on Mars
Is there Symbolism?
Is there an exaggeration?
What is labeled?
Is there an analogy? What is being compared?
Is there irony that expresses an opinion?
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Curiosity Landing on Mars
The exaggeration is.

• There are no aliens on Mars.
• Curiositys landing is similar to a perfect
  Olympic landing.
• The irony is that the aliens only have one
  eyeball this means they only have one point of
  view.
• The aliens t-shirt and Curiosity are labeled.
• The Flag is symbolic of America. The aliens
  shirt represents the Olympics.

The analogy is..
The irony is.
The labels are.
The symbolism is..
10
National Debate on Gun Laws
Is there an exaggeration?
Is there Symbolism?
What is labeled?
Is there an analogy? What is being compared?
Is there irony that expresses an opinion?
11
National Debate on Gun Laws
Exaggeration is..

• NRA has not silenced gun debate and you can not
  zip someone's lips.
• A zipper is being compared censorship.
• The NRA demands 2nd Amendment Rights and Freedom
  but wants to limit Free Speech.
• Uncle Sam is symbolic of the Federal Government.
• The lapel and the lock are labeled.

The analogy is.
The irony is..
The symbolism is..
The labels are..
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Now its your turn!

• Ready?
• Look at the next slide and answer the questions.
  Then check to see how good you did.

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Releasing Tax Returns for Election
Is there Symbolism?
Is there an exaggeration?
Is there an analogy? What is being compared?
What is labeled?
Is there irony that expresses an opinion?
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Releasing Tax Returns for Election

• The Wind Blowing
• The storm is a distraction from Romney releasing
  his records.
• The Republican National Convention is in Florida
  were hurricanes are most likely to occur also it
  indicates that we will never see his tax records.
  
• The elephant represents the republican party.
• Mitts name is on the character.

Exaggeration is..
The analogy is.
The irony is..
The symbolism is..
The labels are..
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One more time!

• This is another chance for you to try it on your
  own. Look at the picture first, then write down
  the answers. When you are done, check to see if
  you did better this time.

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Bush and Obama Portrait
Is there an exaggeration?
Is there Symbolism?
Is there an analogy? What is being compared?
What is labeled?
Is there irony that expresses an opinion?
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Bush and Obama Portrait

• The size of the Bushes Ears are exaggerated.
• Is that Obama is fixing problems Bush created.
• The Irony is that some people are blaming Obama
  for all of Americas problems.
• The portrait is a symbol of a presidents legacy.
• The portrait is labeled.

Exaggeration is..
The analogy is.
The irony is..
The symbolism is..
The labels are..