An editorial cartoon is a visual communication tool that uses images and minimal text to quickly and effectively get across an opinion or message on a news topic. To be effective, a cartoon should have a single, clear point; use simple, understandable visuals rather than too many words or complex images; and trigger an emotional reaction from viewers. Local news topics can provide good inspiration for cartoons to stand out from national competition. Originality and a unique perspective are also important.

1. EDITORIALEDITORIAL
CARTOOnIngCARTOOnIng
JESHREL B. PLAZA
MADRID NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
MADRID , SURIGAO DEL SUR

2. An editorial cartoon is a strong advertisingAn editorial cartoon is a strong advertising
technique when designed properly. Every good cartoontechnique when designed properly. Every good cartoon
has several things in common. An effective cartoon is ahas several things in common. An effective cartoon is a
visualvisual communications tool.communications tool.

3. Characteristics of a Good
Editorial Cartoon
It does the job quickly
It gets attention
it is convincing
It is simple

4. An editorial cartoons’ job is to communicate your
information quickly and efficiently. An effective poster
will help you engage colleagues in conversation and get
your main point(s) across to as many people as
possible.

5. A cartoon is not just a standard research paper stuck to a board.
An effective cartoon uses a different, visual grammar.
It shows, not tells.
It avoids visual chaos, with many jagged edges or various-sized
boards that distract the viewer. Instead, it guides the viewer by
using a visual logic, with an hierarchical structure that emphasizes
the main points.

6. As mentioned, you do not want to include too muchAs mentioned, you do not want to include too much
information in your editorial cartooning. However, youinformation in your editorial cartooning. However, you
have to give your readers enough to convince them thathave to give your readers enough to convince them that
what you are saying is accurate. Use short but strongwhat you are saying is accurate. Use short but strong
statements to back up your claims.statements to back up your claims.

7. Focused. Focused on a single message.
Graphic. Let graphs and images tell the story; uses text
sparingly.
Ordered. Keeps the sequence well-ordered and obvious.
An effective cartoon is ...

8. Some of the most effective cartoons are surprisingly
simple. Some cartoons do not even have any text at all,
just some well placed images and strategically chosen
colors.

9. • An editorial cartoon typically only has one frame in which to get its
message across, so you'll need to turn something that could be
quite complicated into a simple drawing that is understandable to
most readers.
• It helps if you've got a clear idea of the point you're trying to make
-- and make sure it is just one point -- otherwise your cartoon
could become cluttered and too complex by trying to say many
things at once.
Complexity into Simplicity

10. • You don't have to create a masterpiece every time you draw an
editorial cartoon, but your illustration does need to be accessible
and aesthetically pleasing to some extent. As suggested by the Union
of Concerned Scientists, consider the lines and shapes you use,
which should reflect a reasonable standard of drawing and be easy
to follow to avoid readers being put off by the cartoon.
Aesthetic elements

11. • However you choose to draw the image and whatever your message, you'veHowever you choose to draw the image and whatever your message, you've
got to aim to trigger an emotional response of some kind in the reader. Angot to aim to trigger an emotional response of some kind in the reader. An
editorial cartoon that causes no reaction doesn't say much about youreditorial cartoon that causes no reaction doesn't say much about your
abilities in the field.abilities in the field.
• Typically, a cartoonist will aim to make readers laugh through her creation, soTypically, a cartoonist will aim to make readers laugh through her creation, so
it's worth injecting humor into your work; but editorial cartoons also can beit's worth injecting humor into your work; but editorial cartoons also can be
designed to cause controversy, if the issue involved is polarizing.designed to cause controversy, if the issue involved is polarizing.
Go for emotionGo for emotion

12. • Many editorial cartoonists draw inspiration for their work fromMany editorial cartoonists draw inspiration for their work from
national news, but since these are events that affect the wholenational news, but since these are events that affect the whole
country, it means you'll be up against plenty of stiff competition ifcountry, it means you'll be up against plenty of stiff competition if
you're also trying to base cartoons on these subjects If you'reyou're also trying to base cartoons on these subjects If you're
looking to get your work noticed, try instead to draw cartoonslooking to get your work noticed, try instead to draw cartoons
based around the news in your area. You might draw about localbased around the news in your area. You might draw about local
politicians or scandals, for example. As the MacKay Editorialpoliticians or scandals, for example. As the MacKay Editorial
Cartoons website suggests, local newspapers need content, andCartoons website suggests, local newspapers need content, and
this gives you an opportunity to provide it and get published.this gives you an opportunity to provide it and get published.
tArGet locAl news

13. • Any cartoon must be original, and this is especially the case ifAny cartoon must be original, and this is especially the case if
you're commenting on a statewide or national issue that's likely toyou're commenting on a statewide or national issue that's likely to
be addressed by multiple other cartoonists. Even if your view isbe addressed by multiple other cartoonists. Even if your view is
similar to many other people's, you need to find your own take onsimilar to many other people's, you need to find your own take on
any news.any news.
Originality

14. EDITORIAL CARTOONING SYMBOLSEDITORIAL CARTOONING SYMBOLS

15. Pencil/Pen/NewspaperPencil/Pen/Newspaper
= journalism, media= journalism, media

16. Dove = peace, freedomDove = peace, freedom

17. Salakot = Juan dela Cruz representing a Filipino citizen

18. Chain = maltreatment

19. Syringe = death sentence, drug addiction

20. Crocodile = abusive person of authority

21. Beggar = poverty

22. Mallet = justice

23. blindfolded woman carrying a weighing scale = justice

24. big waves = hindrances, advertises

25. mask = deceivermask = deceiver

26. eagle = bravery, strength

27. high rising building = development, progress

28. key = success

29. huge rock = tough situation, obstacle

30. rising sun = hoperising sun = hope

31. multi-tattooed man = criminal, bad man

32. skull with crossed bones = danger or death