How to create a Political Cartoon

What is a political cartoon? • NOT A SIMPLE DRAWING….• A political cartoon, is an illustration containing a

message. • Political cartoons involve visual metaphors and symbols

with the goal of drawing attention to important issues. Thus they sum up an event with a humorous or emotional picture.

• Political cartoons are an effective way for artists to express their thoughts about the events in a certain period in a comical manner.

What is a political cartoon?

• Requirements for a successful political cartoon– Humor-Humor that is used to send a

message about the character portrayed in the cartoon

– Truth-There must be some basis of truth involved in the cartoon

– Message-The cartoon must have a purpose or lesson to teach the viewer

Your Political Cartoon Should Have…..

• Humor

• Truth

• Message-Purpose/Lesson to teach the viewer

Types of Humor• Sarcasm/Irony

– Something unexpected or opposite of expected• Wit

– smart-almost smart comments/Clever • Satire

– When you make fun of something (can contain sarcasm)• Parody

– Act like a person, make fun of something (Scary movies that are redone)

• Slapstick– Foolish, silly, or stupid humor ( I Love Lucy or the 3

Stooges) • Mimicry

– Mock someone or something

Sample 1:

Sample 2:

The Assignment• It is time to apply your knowledge of the causes of the Revolutionary War by

creating a political cartoon based on a tax, law, or event from the previous days lesson.

• Create a political cartoon from either the point of view of a loyalist or patriot. You must also choose a type of humor to create your cartoon. Follow the guideline listed below for a successful political cartoon….

• Requirements for a successful political cartoon– Humor that is used to send a message about the character portrayed in

the cartoon– There must be some basis of truth involved in the cartoon– The cartoon must have a purpose or lesson to teach the viewer

• On the back of your cartoon, in one paragraph, explain what you drew and how did that tax, law, event impact the American Revolution. What message where you trying to send? What is the point of view, and what type of humor did you choose and how does your cartoon show evidence of that humor type. –You will loose 20 pts for not having this!!!

Make sure to do your political cartoon on a sheet of computer paper