The Dozen Elements of Political Cartoons

The Dozen Elements of Political Cartoons
From: https://www.vcestudyguides.com/blog/10-things-to-look-for-in-cartoons
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/nchist-eg/6460
The Political Cartoon: Pictures with a Point
• A political cartoon is a cartoon that makes a point about a political issue or
event.
• You can find them in any daily newspaper, but they won’t be in the comics
section.
• Instead, look on the editorial pages – they’re right next to the editorial
columns, and across from the opinion essays.
• You can also find them in newsmagazines and on political Web sites.
• Political cartoons can be very funny, especially if you understand the issue
that they’re commenting on.
• Their main purpose, though, is not to amuse you but to persuade you.
• A good political cartoon makes you think about current events, but it also
tries to sway your opinion toward the cartoonist’s point of view.
• The best political cartoonist can change your mind on an issue without
you even realizing how he or she did it.
Introduction
• While there are many resources helping students gain skills in analysing
written articles, few are specifically focused on cartoons.
• Below are 12 things you should look for in cartoons.
• These are common techniques used by illustrators and are a fantastic
starting point in cartoon analysis.
1. Irony
• Irony is the difference between the ways things are and the way things
should be, or the way things are expected to be.
• Cartoonists often use irony to express their opinion on an issue.
• When you look at a cartoon, see if you can find any irony in the situation
the cartoon depicts.
• If you can, think about what point the irony might be intended to
emphasize.
• Does the irony help the cartoonist express his or her opinion more
effectively?
2. Analogy
• An analogy is a comparison between two unlike things that share some

characteristics.
• By comparing a complex issue or situation with a more familiar one,
cartoonists can help their readers see it in a different light.
• After you’ve studied a cartoon for a while, try to decide what the cartoon’s
main analogy is.
• What two situations does the cartoon compare?
• Once you understand the main analogy, decide if this comparison makes
the cartoonist’s point more clear to you.
3. Colour
• In coloured cartoons, there are myriad of things you can look for. Ask
yourself these questions:
• What colours did the illustrator use?
• What colours are used most? Least?
• Is there a repetition of colours?
• Is there only one colour?
3. Colour (continued)
• Colours can be separated into two groups – warm colours and cool colours. Warm
colours including red, orange and yellow may be used to evoke feelings of comfort
and warmth. It can also be used to express anger and embarrassment. Meanwhile,
cool colours including blue, green and purple may represent calm and tranquility.
Otherwise it can mean sadness and misery (download our full guide on cartoon
analysis below which includes finer details about colour meanings).
• Remember that a group of colours can represent an overall meaning:
• Red, blue and white – can represent U.S. Flag and symbolizes patriotism.
• Red, orange, and dark brown – can represent earth and nature.
• While analyzing colourful cartoons, also consider that many cartoons are black and
white. Although these cartoons lack colour, illustrators use other methods to create
meaning.
• What shading is used? – heavy shading can mean power and solidity; light shading
can indicate frailty and insignificance.
• What textures/patterns are used? – smooth or rough.
• What shapes are there?
• Remember that no cartoons are simply just ‘black and white.
4. Size
• When you study a cartoon, look for any characteristics that seem
overdone or overblown. (Facial characteristics and clothing are some of
the most commonly exaggerated characteristics.) Then, try to decide what
point the cartoonist was trying to make through exaggeration
• Size is an important element in cartoons and one that is often quite
obvious. Investigate:
• Is anything disproportioned?
• Exaggerated? Under-exaggerated?
• What is large and what is small?
5. Labelling
• Watch out for the different labels that appear in a cartoon, and ask
yourself why the cartoonist chose to label that particular person or object.
Does the label make the meaning of the object more clear?
• What is labeled?
• What do the labels say?
• Do the labels tell us the situation? Person? Time change?
6. Speech Bubbles
• Who is speaking?
• What are they saying?
• Is it a conversation?
7. Symbols
• A symbol is something that represents or stands for something else,

usually an idea.
• They are commonly found throughout daily lives such as the cross for
Christianity or the Red Cross for the organization that helps victims of war
or natural disasters. Sometimes symbols may be as obvious as those
mentioned above, yet other times may be more subtle in their meaning.
• What symbols are incorporated?
• Why are particular symbols used?
• Is it a well-known symbol?
• Is the symbol’s meaning clear and identifiable? Or is it vague and can have
multiple interpretations?
8. Focus
• The focus of a cartoon can indicate the main issue or situation.

• What is in focus?
• What is in the foreground and background?
9. Angles
• Angles often provide readers an indication of the status of particular
people or things.
• If the angle is sloping down, then it creates an image of a smaller person
or item.
• This indicates weakness, inferiority and powerlessness.
• An angle sloping up towards a person or item provides it with power,
superiority and authority.
• A straight-on angle can represent equality.
• Is the angle sloping up?
• Is the angle sloping down?
• Is it straight on?
• From behind? Front on?
• On top or below?
10. Tone
• The tone of a cartoon can indicate the illustrator’s attitude and stance
towards the issue.
11. Facial Expressions
• Facial expressions are key to the character’s thoughts, feelings and
emotions.
• What facial expressions are used?
• Do they change (sequential cartoons)?
• How do expressions compare to another’s expression?
• Is it an expression we expect?
12. Context
• The context of a cartoon is important. Most of the time, cartoons are
attached to articles and usually draw upon a point contended by the
writer of the article.
• Does the cartoon support or oppose the article?
• Is it relevant or irrelevant?
• Does it focus on the past, present or future?
• Which aspect of the article does it relate to?
• Does it add further information?
• However, there are times when you will have to analyse a cartoon alone,
where it is not accompanying an article.
• In this case you will have to understand the background, the situation and
the issue that is represented.
Analyzing the Cartoon
• Once you’ve identified the persuasive techniques that the cartoonist used,
ask yourself:
❑ What issue is this political cartoon about?
❑ What is the cartoonist’s opinion on this issue?
❑ What other opinion can you imagine another person having on this issue?
❑ Did you find this cartoon persuasive? Why or why not?
❑ What other techniques could the cartoonist have used to make this
cartoon more persuasive?

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The Dozen Elements of Political Cartoons

• An analogy is a comparison between two unlike things that share some

• A symbol is something that represents or stands for something else,

• The focus of a cartoon can indicate the main issue or situation.

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