There was a lot of great response to the first post about political cartoons; it is an easy way.
Here are a 4 more cartoons to review with students. (If you click on each, they will link to a picture of them in real size). For this exercise, you might choose to have them look at these, discuss the editorial meaning of the cartoon in small groups, and present out to the whole class.
- What current events do these cartoon talk about (satirize)?
- What is the overall meaning of each cartoon? How does the author get across these ideas?
- What symbols are used in these cartoons?
- What does the characterization tell you about the author’s belief? What other techniques does he use to create meaning? How does the cartoonist show rather than tell the reader what he believes?
- Why do you agree with the cartoonists’ opinion(s)? Why or why not?
- What political or social issues do you feel strongly about? Explain to a peer what these are and why you feel this way about them.
Extensions:
1) Have students find a cartoon from when they were born, or an important time of their life? What event, movement, person, or group is it about? What is the message? How does it show its meaning? What do you believe about this? What did your parents believe at the time?
2)Have students create their own political cartoon.
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- Find an interesting current event
- Pick a belief or opinion you have about that event
- How can you express this in a picture? What symbols might you use? What techniques can you use to show the reader what you mean?
Resources on the Political Cartoons:
- MSNBC Cartoons
- Analyzing Political Cartoons (has lots if links her to great content)
- American Association of Editorial Cartoonists
Enciendalo!
Wonder You 