WHY IS SOMETHING WHY IS SOMETHING SO SAD THIS SO SAD THIS FUNNYFUNNY::

USING POLITICAL CARTOONSUSING POLITICAL CARTOONS

WHY USE POLITICAL WHY USE POLITICAL CARTOONS?CARTOONS?

Lead-in questions for groups:Lead-in questions for groups:

What is the purpose of the cartoon? What is the purpose of the cartoon? How does it make you feel?How does it make you feel? What methods does the cartoon use to make you What methods does the cartoon use to make you

feel that way?feel that way? What issue is the cartoon trying to capture?What issue is the cartoon trying to capture? How does the cartoon try to persuade you?How does the cartoon try to persuade you? Is the cartoon relevant to you as citizens?Is the cartoon relevant to you as citizens? What is the artists opinion on the issue?What is the artists opinion on the issue? Is there text? How is it used?Is there text? How is it used?

Cartoon 1Cartoon 1

Cartoon 2Cartoon 2

Cartoon 3Cartoon 3

Cartoon 4Cartoon 4

THE 1THE 1STST AMENDMENT AMENDMENT ““Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of

religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of the freedom of speechspeech, or of the , or of the presspress; or the right of the ; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”for a redress of grievances.”-1-1stst Amendment Amendment

Free speech and freedom of the press promotes "The free flow Free speech and freedom of the press promotes "The free flow of ideas essential to political democracy and democratic of ideas essential to political democracy and democratic institutions" and limits the ability of the state to subvert other institutions" and limits the ability of the state to subvert other rights and freedoms rights and freedoms

It promotes a marketplace of ideas, which includes, but is not It promotes a marketplace of ideas, which includes, but is not limited to, the search for truth limited to, the search for truth

Political cartoons are an example of free speech and freedom of Political cartoons are an example of free speech and freedom of the press.the press.

METHODSMETHODS

1)1) ExaggerationExaggeration- To represent as greater than actual size. - To represent as greater than actual size. To make overstatements. The act of making something To make overstatements. The act of making something more noticeable than usual.more noticeable than usual.

When you study a cartoon, look for any characteristics When you study a cartoon, look for any characteristics that seem overdone or overblown. (Facial characteristics that seem overdone or overblown. (Facial characteristics and clothing are some of the most commonly and clothing are some of the most commonly exaggerated characteristics.) Then, try to decide what exaggerated characteristics.) Then, try to decide what point the cartoonist was trying to make through point the cartoonist was trying to make through exaggeration.exaggeration.

2)2) IronyIrony-A literary expression employing contrasts in order -A literary expression employing contrasts in order to produce humorous or rhetorical effects. to produce humorous or rhetorical effects. Irony of a Irony of a situation is a discrepancy between the expected result situation is a discrepancy between the expected result and actual results when enlivened by perverse and actual results when enlivened by perverse appropriateness.appropriateness.

METHODS CONT…METHODS CONT…

3)3) JuxtapositionJuxtaposition- To place side by side, especially for - To place side by side, especially for comparison and contrast. Also, this method is comparison and contrast. Also, this method is sometimes known as analogy. An sometimes known as analogy. An analogyanalogy is a is a comparison between two unlike things that share comparison between two unlike things that share some characteristics. By comparing a complex issue some characteristics. By comparing a complex issue or situation with a more familiar one, cartoonists can or situation with a more familiar one, cartoonists can help their readers see it in a different light. help their readers see it in a different light.

4)4) SymbolismSymbolism- Cartoonists use simple objects, or - Cartoonists use simple objects, or symbolssymbols, to stand for larger concepts or ideas. , to stand for larger concepts or ideas.

WHY USE HUMOR?WHY USE HUMOR? Reductio ad AbsurdumReductio ad Absurdum- Latin meaning, “reduction to the - Latin meaning, “reduction to the

absurd.absurd.

Used by the ancient Greeks and Romans in logical Used by the ancient Greeks and Romans in logical arguments. arguments.

If a claim gets you an absurd or humorous result, then it If a claim gets you an absurd or humorous result, then it can be assumed that the original claim or proof was can be assumed that the original claim or proof was deficient or illogical. deficient or illogical.

If A=B, and B is absurd (ridiculous), therefore, A must If A=B, and B is absurd (ridiculous), therefore, A must also be absurd or ridiculous.also be absurd or ridiculous.

Cartoonists use the same logic. By making you laugh at Cartoonists use the same logic. By making you laugh at the ridiculousness of a situation or a person, then we can the ridiculousness of a situation or a person, then we can assume that there is a problem with that situation or assume that there is a problem with that situation or person to begin with.person to begin with.

AssignmentAssignment Make your own cartoon.Make your own cartoon.

Write: Write: Find an issueFind an issue Explain the issue?Explain the issue? Explain the different sides of the issue and which Explain the different sides of the issue and which

one you took?one you took? What methods did you use to create a reductio ad What methods did you use to create a reductio ad

absurdum argument?absurdum argument? How are you trying to persuade your audience? How are you trying to persuade your audience?

What are you trying to make them think?What are you trying to make them think? Draw CartoonDraw Cartoon ONE PAGE-DOUBLE SPACED-12 FONTONE PAGE-DOUBLE SPACED-12 FONT