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WHY IS SOMETHINGWHY IS SOMETHING

SO SAD THISSO SAD THIS

FUNNYFUNNY::

USING POLITICAL CARTOONSUSING POLITICAL CARTOONS

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WHY USE POLITICALWHY 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 youWhat 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?

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Cartoon 1Cartoon 1

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Cartoon 2Cartoon 2

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Cartoon 3Cartoon 3

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Cartoon 4Cartoon 4

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THE 1THE 1STST AMENDMENTAMENDMENT

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment ofCongress shall make no law respecting an establishment ofreligion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridgingreligion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridgingthe freedom ofthe freedom ofspeechspeech, or of the, or of the presspress; or the right of the; or the right of thepeople peaceably to assemble, and to petition the governmentpeople peaceably to assemble, and to petition the governmentfor a redress of grievances.for a redress of grievances.

-1-1stst AmendmentAmendment

Free speech and freedom of the press promotes "The free flowFree speech and freedom of the press promotes "The free flowof ideas essential to political democracy and democraticof ideas essential to political democracy and democraticinstitutions" and limits the ability of the state to subvert otherinstitutions" and limits the ability of the state to subvert otherrights and freedomsrights and freedoms

It promotes a marketplace of ideas, which includes, but is notIt promotes a marketplace of ideas, which includes, but is notlimited to, the search for truthlimited to, the search for truth

Political cartoons are an example of free speech and freedom ofPolitical cartoons are an example of free speech and freedom of

the press.the press.

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METHODSMETHODS

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

When you study a cartoon, look for any characteristics thatWhen you study a cartoon, look for any characteristics thatseem overdone or overblown. (Facial characteristics andseem overdone or overblown. (Facial characteristics and

clothing are some of the most commonly exaggeratedclothing are some of the most commonly exaggeratedcharacteristics.) Then, try to decide what point the cartoonistcharacteristics.) Then, try to decide what point the cartoonistwas trying to make through exaggeration.was trying to make through exaggeration.

2)2) IronyIrony-A literary expression employing contrasts in order to-A literary expression employing contrasts in order toproduce humorous or rhetorical effects.produce humorous or rhetorical effects. Irony of a situationIrony of a situation

is a discrepancy between the expected result and actualis a discrepancy between the expected result and actualresults when enlivened by perverse appropriateness.results when enlivened by perverse appropriateness.

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METHODS CONTMETHODS CONT

3)3) JuxtapositionJuxtaposition- To place side by side, especially for- To place side by side, especially for

comparison and contrast. Also, this method iscomparison and contrast. Also, this method is

sometimes known as analogy. Ansometimes known as analogy. An analogyanalogy is ais a

comparison between two unlike things that sharecomparison between two unlike things that share

some characteristics. By comparing a complex issuesome characteristics. By comparing a complex issueor situation with a more familiar one, cartoonistsor situation with a more familiar one, cartoonists

can help their readers see it in a different light.can 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.

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WHY USE HUMOR?WHY USE HUMOR?

Reductio ad AbsurdumReductio ad Absurdum- Latin meaning, reduction to the- Latin meaning, reduction to theabsurd.absurd.

Used by the ancient Greeks and Romans in logical arguments.Used by the ancient Greeks and Romans in logical arguments. If a claim gets you an absurd or humorous result, then it canIf a claim gets you an absurd or humorous result, then it can

be assumed that the original claim or proof was deficient orbe assumed that the original claim or proof was deficient orillogical.illogical. If A=B, and B is absurd (ridiculous), therefore, A must also beIf A=B, and B is absurd (ridiculous), therefore, A must also be

absurd or ridiculous.absurd or ridiculous. Cartoonists use the same logic. By making you laugh at theCartoonists use the same logic. By making you laugh at the

ridiculousness of a situation or a person, then we can assumeridiculousness of a situation or a person, then we can assume

that there is a problem with that situation or person to beginthat there is a problem with that situation or person to beginwith.with.

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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 one youExplain the different sides of the issue and which one youtook?took?

What methods did you use to create a reductio adWhat methods did you use to create a reductio adabsurdum argument?absurdum argument?

How are you trying to persuade your audience? What areHow are you trying to persuade your audience? What are

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