This document provides instructions for analyzing two political cartoons that depict issues in the Philippines between 2007 and present. Students are to choose cartoons related to topics like human rights, corruption, or education. They will then answer questions about the event depicted, any real people represented, and the techniques used like symbols, exaggeration, labels, and analogies. Understanding these elements will help interpret the cartoonist's perspective. Examples of common symbols are also defined.

1. EXERCISE NO. 2. Interpreting Political Cartoons
INSTRUCTION:
Select two political cartoons that are dated between 2007 up to
present from among the top Newspapers in the Philippines. You may
look at the Library or search it in the Internet.
Choose Political Cartoons which depict two (2) of the following
issues:
1. Suffrage
2. Environmental Protection
3. Due Process
4. Freedom of Expression
5. Freedom of Religion
6. Presumption of Innocence
7. Martial Law
8. Mindanao Rebellion
9. Insurgency
10. Human Rights Abuses
11. Public Accountability and Transparency
12. Impeachment
13. Independence of the Judiciary
14. Filipino Citizenship
15. Poverty in the Philippines
16. Graft and Corruption
17. Political Dynasty
18. Political Party Loyalty
19. Education
20. Agrarian Reform

2. Analyzing political cartoons. Analyze the political cartoons you
choose in the following manner:
1) What is the event or issue that inspired the cartoon? What
background knowledge do you need to understand the message?
2) Are there any real people in the cartoon? If so, who are they
and what have they done that created an issue upon which the
cartoonist wants to comment? If not, what is the issue all about?
3) What techniques did the cartoonist use and how do they help
you understand his/her perspective?
If you own the newspaper clippings, cut the political cartoons or
photocopy it and paste it in the Exercises Sheet in your workbook
with heading on the issues you have selected.
One political cartoon, including the analysis, per page.
Submission:
1. On line submission with your scanned political cartoon and the
analysis on or before September 30, 2012. Send your soft copy
to my email at jundumaug@yahoo.co.uk with the following
subject:
SUBJECT: (YOUR FAMILY AND SECTION): POLITICAL
CARTOON
2. Submission of Hard Copy:
For TTH Classes: October 2, 2012
For WF Classes: October 3, 2012

3. Example:
EXERCISE NO. 2
RH BILL
ANALYSIS: (Answering the questions above)

4. WHAT IS A POLITICAL CARTOON?
A political cartoon is created to make people think
about an issue facing society and to express the
cartoonist’s perspective on the issue.
Cartoonists use a number of different techniques to
communicate their perspective.
Symbolism Using an object to stand After you identify the
for larger concepts or symbols in cartoon, think
ideas. about what the cartoonist
intends each symbol to
stand for.
Exaggeration/caricature Sometimes cartoonists When you study a
overdo, or exaggerate, cartoon, look for any
the physical characteristics that seem
characteristics of people overdone or overblown
or things in order to make (facial characteristics and
a point (e.g. big nose, clothing are some of the
bushy eyebrows, large most commonly
ears). exaggerated
characteristics). Then, try
e.g. President’s nose. to decide what point the
Pres. GMA’s neck. cartoonist was trying to
make through
exaggeration.
Captioning and labels Sometimes a cartoonist Make sure that you look
will label something to at the entire cartoon for
make sure that there is details that might include
no confusion for readers labels.
(i.e. to make it clear
exactly what they stand Ask yourself why the
for). The labels and cartoonist chose to label
captioning might also add a particular object of
emphasis to a certain person. Does the label
point of the cartoon. make the meaning of the

5. object clearer?
Analogy A comparison between to After you’ve studied a
unlike things that share cartoon for a while, try to
some common decide what the cartoon’s
characteristics. By main analogy is. What
comparing a complex two situations does the
issue or situation with a cartoon compare? Once
more familiar one, you understand the main
cartoonists can help their analogy, decide if this
readers see it in a comparison makes the
different light. cartoonist’s point clearer.
Irony The difference between When you look at a
the way things are and cartoon, see if you can
the way they should be, find any irony in the
or the way things are situation the cartoon
expected to be. depicts. If you can, think
Cartoonists often use about what point the
irony to express their irony might be intended
opinion on an issue. to emphasize. Does the
irony help the cartoonist
express his or her
opinion more effectively?
Juxtaposition Positioning people or What message does the
objects close together or cartoonist send by
side by side, especially comparing or contrasting
for comparison or people or objects?
contrast.

6. Examples of Symbols used in Political Cartoons
peace - dove, olive branch, victory sign.
Philippines – Maria Clara, flag
Leftist/Communist - hammer and sickle, red star,
bear
Death - vulture, skeleton with shroud, skull and
crossbones, grim reaper.
Love - heart, Cupid, Venus.
Money - Peso bill or sign.
Heroes or good guys - wear white.
Villains or bad guys - wear black.