Introduction to Political Cartoons

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Introduction to Political Cartoons
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What Are Political Cartoons

• Vivid primary sources that offer insight into the
  public mood and attitudes toward a key event or
  trend of the times.
• Uses
• Entertainment
• Insight into current/historical events
• Attitude of author/some in the public
• Provoke thought
• Primary sources

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1. Read the Title and/or Caption

• Topic of cartoon
• Context
• Activates prior knowledge

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Images

• Look for familiar people, monuments, etc.
• The image is usually the topic of cartoon

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Symbols

• Stands for some other thing, event, person, idea,
  news event, group, etc.
• Ex. Uncle Sam for U.S., Elephant for
  Republicans, for economy

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Visual Distortion

• Change or exaggeration in size, shape, emotions
  or gestures
• Gives extra meaning to the symbols in the cartoon.

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Irony in Words/Images

• Form of humor
• Often mocks its own meaning
• Seems to mean one thing, but it will be taken to
  mean the opposite

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Stereotypes

• Simplifies the complex
• Oversimplifies a view of a group
• Can be insulting
• Can be used to make a point

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Caricatures

• Exaggerated or distorted drawing of the
  individual highlighting what the artist sees as
  most unique about that individual

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Double Meanings

• Will use a common saying and apply it to the
  cartoon to drive home the point.
• Can be just the image or can be a phrase

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Double Meanings

• Will use a common saying and apply it to the
  cartoon to drive home the point.
• Can be just the image or can be a phrase

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Double Meanings

• Will use a common saying and apply it to the
  cartoon to drive home the point.
• Can be just the image or can be a phrase

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Political Cartoons.

• Are not comics
• Political cartoon point of view
• Comic Purely entertainment
• Are not right
• There are other points of view
• Must consider multiple view points

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Redskins
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Washington Negotiation
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Mt. Rushmore Presidents
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The Trust Giants Point of View
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One Sees His Finish Unless Good Government
Retakes the Ship