“But, I don’t get it, it’s not funny.”
Analyzing Political Cartoons
SOL Connections:
Reading 8.5a The student will read and analyze a variety of narrative and poetic forms. Explain the
use of symbols and figurative language.
VUS.6c The student will demonstrate knowledge of the major events during the first half of the
nineteenth century by describing the cultural, economic, and political issues that divided the nation,
including slavery, the abolitionist and women’s suffrage movements, and the role of the states in the
Union.
USII.8a The student will demonstrate knowledge of the key domestic issues during the second half of
the twentieth century by examining the Civil Rights Movement and the changing role of women
ACTIVITY (complete this activity)
Looking backward / Laura E. Foster. 1912
http://memory.loc.gov/cgibin/query/r?ammem/awhbib:@field(NUMBE
R+@band(ppmsca+02940))
1. Look at your cartoon.
2. Choose one of the methods below for evaluating that
cartoon. Follow the directions for that method.
Design Elements
A. Complete the sheet “Elements of
Cartooning.”
B. Circle and label on the cartoon
examples of the different elements of
cartooning as you read about them.
OR
Persuasive Techniques
A. Read about the different persuasive
techniques used in political cartoons as
described in the “Cartoon Analysis
Guide.”
B. Circle and label where you think each
of these techniques are used in the
cartoon you chose.
C. Answer the questions at the bottom of
the “Cartoon Analysis Guide.”
REFLECTION (consider these questions)
3. How would you introduce the above activity to your students? What would you have them
do after completing the cartoon analysis?
4. What do you think makes this lesson engaging for students? What
drawbacks do you see to this lesson?
Inch by inch, Bill Mauldin, 1960
http://memory.loc.gov/cgibin/query/r?pp/cd:@field(NUMBER
+@band(cph+3c33717))
5. What would be an appropriate “learning goal” for this activity?
Where can I find more cartoons like these?
Try, a great online activity:
http://memory.loc.gov/learn/features/political_cartoon/index.html
The Library of Congress has several exhibitions devoted to political cartoons.
From www.loc.gov, click on Exhibitions.
Scroll down and look for the following:
Herblock's Gift: Selections from the Herb Block Foundation Collection
March 12 - June 28, 2003
Herblock's History: Political Cartoons from the Crash to the Millennium
October 17, 2000 - February 17, 2001
Humor's Edge: Cartoons by Ann Telnaes
June 3 - September 11, 2004
James Gillray, MONSTROUS CRAWS, at
a New Coalition Feast, King George III
etching with watercolor, 1787
http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/craws/c
raws-exhibit.html
Monstrous Craws & Character Flaws: Masterpieces of Cartoon and
Caricature at the Library of Congress
February 25 - July 6, 1998
Oliphant's Anthem: Pat Oliphant at the Library of Congress
April 29 - August 15, 1998
Also, for links to the cartoons used in this activity, go to the AAMNVA website.
From www.aamnva.org, click on AAMNVA Workshop Series.
Choose Workshop 2
Scroll down and on the right will be links to all the cartoons in this activity.
Try clicking on the subject or format links on the bibliographic records for each
cartoon. This may get you even more images.
When searching for political cartoons in
American Memory. Try using the following terms:
“Allegorical print”
“lithograph”
“caricature”
“etching”
From www.loc.gov, click on American Memory
American progress. Crofutt, George A, 1873
http://memory.loc.gov/cgibin/query/r?ammem/awhbib:@field(NUMBER+@band(
cph+3a04647))
In the box in upper-left hand corner, type these
terms. Click on “Search”
Choose “gallery view.”