Cartoons

Cartoons

How to analyse a cartoon

It is possible to work out the message that a cartoon is conveying by looking at:

Step 1

·         The date of the cartoon

·         The caption, if there is one

·         The people and who they represent

·         Any symbols which may appear in the cartoon

·         The actual drawing its self

·         The people who created the cartoon

Step 2

·         You need to identify the cartoonist point of view in order to do this, you need to look at his/her use of humour

Step 3

It is useful to determine your own point of view in relation to the cartoon. When analysing cartoon you need to answer the following questions:

·         What event or issue that inspired the cartoon?

·         Are there any real people in the cartoon? Who is being portrayed in the cartoon?

·         Are there any symbols in the cartoons? What are they and what do they represent?

·         How has the cartoonist use humour to make his point visible in the eye of the reader?

·         Do you agree or disagree with the cartoonist opinion? Give reasons for your answers.