HOW TO ANALYSE A CARTOON
When analyzing a cartoon, answer the following questions:
- Who are the people and/or objects in the cartoon?
- Which symbols and objects have been used? What are their relevance?
- What is happening (action) in the cartoon? What does it represent?
- What is being spoken in speech bubbles? What are they referring to?
- What is the caption of the cartoon? What is it referring to?
- When was this cartoon drawn? What historical significance does this have?
- What is the cartoonist point of view of this event or person?
- What humour or satire has the cartoonist used to make his point?
- Why is this cartoon clever, funny or poignant?
- What message, or point, is the cartoonist trying to make? What is the intention?
THIS IS HOW YOU ANSWER THE QUESTION: How reliable is this source for....
You have to talk to ORIGIN, PURPOSE, LIMITATIONS and VALUE
It is quite acceptable to answer under those headings, or alternatively, to answer in a full paragraph.
THE ORIGIN OF A CARTOON
A cartoon always has a cartoonist who needs to be identified.
A cartoon is then published, and the date and place of publication must be acknowledged.
THE PURPOSE (OR AGENDA) OF A CARTOON
Generally speaking, cartoons do one of two things: either they point fingers at someone or an event, (in other words they are critical) or they applaud someone or an event, (in other words they praising). You have to use verbs to answer this section: a cartoon can be critical, scathing, disbelieving, admonishing, pin-pointing, disgusted, or they can be applauding, honouring, acknowledging and appreciative.
Always remember: the main purpose of a cartoon is not to amuse you but to persuade you to change you opinions toward the cartoonist's point of view.
THE LIMITATIONS OF CARTOONS
One has to bear in mind that they are still only the opinion of the cartoonist and are highly emotive on purpose; they are meant to illicit a response from the reader, and they are meant to put forth a very particular message. Cartoons are certainly biased in the sense that they are one sided and heavily influenced by the cartoonist's own opinion. Cartoons can be both biased and give fair commentary on events. This depends upon the perspective of the historian. The good historian should see both points of view.
It is important to remember that a cartoon always reflects the view of the cartoonist, so obviously it carries bias and is opinion. It is not an objective representation of the issue.
They are usually accompanied by heavy emotional language, irony and satire. Captions are strongly worded and there is little doubt of the cartoonists intentions, so they definitely have an agenda.
Persuasive techniques used by the cartoonist include the following:
Symbolism - simple objects stand for bigger ideas.
Exaggeration – facial expressions.
Labeling – a clear indication of how the cartoonist sees something.
Irony - the difference between the ways things are and the way things should be, or the way things are expected to be
THE VALUE OF CARTOONS
You need to talk to how this cartoon can help you. How is it of value to you?
Cartoons are very helpful sources for any historian as they reflect the events, and the sentiments thereof, of a particular person, time and place. Not only that but they act as records of history and tell us a lot about a particular event or situation in history. Therefore, it portrays an issue of historical relevance that will affect society
The cartoonist is a recognized and respected “voice” of the people at the time and so cartoons are usually excellent commentaries on current political, social and economic events. It is therefore important to place the cartoon in its historical context.
You have to talk to ORIGIN, PURPOSE, LIMITATIONS and VALUE
It is quite acceptable to answer under those headings, or alternatively, to answer in a full paragraph.
THE ORIGIN OF A CARTOON
A cartoon always has a cartoonist who needs to be identified.
A cartoon is then published, and the date and place of publication must be acknowledged.
THE PURPOSE (OR AGENDA) OF A CARTOON
Generally speaking, cartoons do one of two things: either they point fingers at someone or an event, (in other words they are critical) or they applaud someone or an event, (in other words they praising). You have to use verbs to answer this section: a cartoon can be critical, scathing, disbelieving, admonishing, pin-pointing, disgusted, or they can be applauding, honouring, acknowledging and appreciative.
Always remember: the main purpose of a cartoon is not to amuse you but to persuade you to change you opinions toward the cartoonist's point of view.
THE LIMITATIONS OF CARTOONS
One has to bear in mind that they are still only the opinion of the cartoonist and are highly emotive on purpose; they are meant to illicit a response from the reader, and they are meant to put forth a very particular message. Cartoons are certainly biased in the sense that they are one sided and heavily influenced by the cartoonist's own opinion. Cartoons can be both biased and give fair commentary on events. This depends upon the perspective of the historian. The good historian should see both points of view.
It is important to remember that a cartoon always reflects the view of the cartoonist, so obviously it carries bias and is opinion. It is not an objective representation of the issue.
They are usually accompanied by heavy emotional language, irony and satire. Captions are strongly worded and there is little doubt of the cartoonists intentions, so they definitely have an agenda.
Persuasive techniques used by the cartoonist include the following:
Symbolism - simple objects stand for bigger ideas.
Exaggeration – facial expressions.
Labeling – a clear indication of how the cartoonist sees something.
Irony - the difference between the ways things are and the way things should be, or the way things are expected to be
THE VALUE OF CARTOONS
You need to talk to how this cartoon can help you. How is it of value to you?
Cartoons are very helpful sources for any historian as they reflect the events, and the sentiments thereof, of a particular person, time and place. Not only that but they act as records of history and tell us a lot about a particular event or situation in history. Therefore, it portrays an issue of historical relevance that will affect society
The cartoonist is a recognized and respected “voice” of the people at the time and so cartoons are usually excellent commentaries on current political, social and economic events. It is therefore important to place the cartoon in its historical context.