Political Cartoons

Political Cartoons andEditorials

November 17, 2008

What is this cartoon about?How do you know?

What’s the point of using acartoon?

• Isn’t it easier to just write whatyou mean?–Can make complex ideas simpler–Can “get the point” quicker– Inform the electorate–Symbolism

How have political cartoonsimpacted life?

• Thomas Nast -->“father of theeditorial cartoon”(late 1800’s-early1900’s)

• Benjamin Franklin’s“Join or Die” (1745)

World War I Cartoons

WorldWar IICartoons

The Powerof CartoonsToday

Common Symbolism

• Uncle Sam = United States• Canada = Beaver• Russia = Bear• China = Dragon• Capitalist = “top hat”

• Can you think of any more?

Let’s Practice…

What is an editorial?

• “An article in a publication giving theopinion of its editors on a given topic orcurrent event.”

Good editorials…

• Are opinion based• Are backed up with evidence• Try to persuade the reader• Try to understand the opposing

viewpoint• Are usually about a social problem• Are emotional-- without being over the

top.

Bad Editorials

• A Scientist’s Folly• The Seating Chart Shuffle

RADIO!

Homework

• You will create, illustrate, and explainyour own political cartoon

--OR--

• Write an editorial on the topic of yourchoosing