The document provides guidelines for interpreting political cartoons through five key techniques: symbolism, exaggeration, labeling, analogy, and irony. It emphasizes that understanding what cartoonists communicate requires analyzing these elements to discern their intended messages and opinions. Examples illustrate the application of these techniques in various contexts, such as the 'Curiosity landing on Mars' and the 'national debate on gun laws.'

1. It’s No Laughing Matter
Understanding Political
Cartoons

2. How Do I Know what the Cartoon is
Saying?
5
–
Things to Look for:
1. Symbolism
 Cartoonists
use simple objects, or symbols, to stand for
larger concepts or ideas.
 After you identify the symbols in a cartoon, think about
what the cartoonist intends each symbol to stand for.

3. How Do I Know what the Cartoon is
Saying?
 2.
–
–
–
Exaggeration
Sometimes cartoonists overdo, or exaggerate,
the physical characteristics of people or things in
order to make a point.
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.

4. How Do I Know what the Cartoon is
Saying
 3.
–
–
–
Labeling
Cartoonists often label objects or people to make
it clear exactly what they stand for.
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?

5. How Do I Know what the Cartoon is
Saying

4. 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.

6. How Do I Know what the Cartoon is
Saying?

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

7. 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?

8. Curiosity Landing on Mars
Is there
Symbolis
m
Is there an
exaggeration?
Wha
t is
Is there an
analogy?
W hat is be
ing
compared?
labe
led?
Is there irony that
expresses an opinion?
?

9. Curiosity Landing on Mars

There are no aliens on Mars.

Curiosity’s landing is similar to a perfect Olympic landing.
The irony is…….

The irony is that the aliens only have one eyeball this means they
only have one point of view.
The labels
are….

The alien’s t-shirt and Curiosity are labeled.
The symbolism

The Flag is symbolic of America. The alien’s shirt represents the
The exaggeration
is….
The analogy is…..
is..
Olympics
.

10. National Debate on Gun Laws
Is there
Symbolis
m
Is there an
exaggeration?
Wha
t is
Is there an
analogy?
W hat is be
ing
compared?
labe
Is there irony that
expresses an opinion?
led?
?

11. National Debate on Gun Laws
Exaggeration
is…..

NRA has not silenced gun debate and you can not zip someone's lips.

A zipper is being compared censorship.

The NRA demands 2nd Amendment Rights and Freedom but wants to limit
Free Speech.
The symbolism
is…..

Uncle Sam is symbolic of the Federal Government.
The labels
are…..

The lapel and the lock are labeled
The analogy
is…….
The irony is…..
.

12. Now it’s your turn!
 Ready?
 Look
at the next slide and answer the
questions. Then check to see how good you
did.

13. Releasing Tax Returns for Election
Is there
Symbolis
m
Is there an
exaggeration?
Is there an
analogy?
W hat is be
ing
compared?
Wha
t is
labe
Is there irony that
expresses an opinion?
led?
?

14. Releasing Tax Returns for Election
The analogy
is…….

The Wind Blowing

The storm is a distraction from Romney
releasing his records.

Exaggeration
is…..
The Republican National Convention is in
Florida were hurricanes are most likely to
occur also it indicates that we will never
see his tax records.

The elephant represents the republican
party.

Mitt’s name is on the character.
The irony is…..
The symbolism
is…..
The labels
are…..

15. One more time!
 This
is another chance for you to try it on
your own. Look at the picture first, then write
down the answers. When you are done,
check to see if you did better this time.

16. Bush and Obama Portrait
Is there
Symbolis
m
Is there an
exaggeration?
Is there an
analogy?
W hat is be
ing
compared?
?
Wha
t is
Is there irony that
expresses an opinion?
labe
led?

17. Bush and Obama Portrait

The size of the Bushes Ears are exaggerated.

Is that Obama is fixing problems Bush created.
The irony is…..

The Irony is that some people are blaming
Obama for all of America’s problems.
The symbolism
is…..

The portrait is a symbol of a presidents legacy.
The labels
are…..

The portrait is labeled.
Exaggeration
is…..
The analogy
is…….