tf u unit 2009 political cartoons

©DARYL TAN YONG LENG 2009©DARYL TAN YONG LENG 2009

TfU UNIT 2009: POLITICAL CARTOONS


SCOPE OF UNIT

• What are political cartoons?• What is the role of political cartoons in

history?• What are the elements of a political

cartoon?• What are the characteristics of a good

political cartoon?• What are the ways in which to interpret a

political cartoon?


What is a political cartoon?

• A political cartoon is an illustration which is designed to convey a social or political message.

• Dates back to at least the 1500s in European culture.

• Political cartoons are often found on the editorial pages of newspapers and magazines,


POLITICAL CARTOONS

Political cartoons have long been used to raise awareness of current affairs issues.

Political cartoon Political cartoon in the 1920s in the 1920s about about disarmamentdisarmament

Provide information and more importantly, provide a vehicle for cartoonist to air their thoughts on an issue.

Political cartoon Political cartoon in 2009 about in 2009 about H1N1H1N1


POLITICAL CARTOONS IN HISTORY

• In your groups, discuss:– The uses of political cartoons in the study of

history.– The reasons why historians should study

political cartoons.

Reveal attitudes of the time.

Reveal thoughts about an event.

The popularity of different characters.

Greater understanding of an event/thoughts/attitudes/characters.


DIFFERENT TYPES OF POLITICAL CARTOONS

Very basic and easy to understand – as long as you have some knowledge about the event.

Provides information about an event.

Not very critical.

Has an element of humour.

Cartoon A: Cartoon on H1N1.



Cartoon B: Cartoon on the Nuclear Crisis in North Korea 2008

Easy to understand – as long as you have knowledge about the event AND the context of the event.

Provides information about an event.

Has an element of humour.

Critical tone.

Author injects sarcasm and irony.



Cartoon C: Cartoon on Singapore being ranked one of the top 10 most expensive cities.

Need to have knowledge of Need to have knowledge of event and context.event and context.

In-depth understanding of In-depth understanding of socio-political culture.socio-political culture.

Provides information about Provides information about an event.an event.

Author injects sarcasm and Author injects sarcasm and irony. It is also satirical.irony. It is also satirical.

Has an element of humour.Has an element of humour.

Very critical in nature.Very critical in nature.


WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF A

POLITICAL CARTOON?

Examine the political Examine the political cartoon in your cartoon in your worksheets and label worksheets and label the cartoon in part 1.the cartoon in part 1.


Main Caption

Main figure

Other characters

Background

Supporting Caption

Object

Foreground

WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF A POLITICAL CARTOON?


ELEMENTS OF A GOOD POLITICAL CARTOON

Is this a good political cartoon?

What do you think are the different elements of a good political cartoon?

Has the author incorporated these elements into the cartoon?


ANALYSING THE CARTOON• Answer the following questions:Answer the following questions:

– PPeople in the cartoon should be named:eople in the cartoon should be named:• Who is the main character? What is his name and Who is the main character? What is his name and

position?position?• Who are the other characters?Who are the other characters?

– IItems in the cartoon should be identified:tems in the cartoon should be identified:• What is the main object in the cartoon?What is the main object in the cartoon?

– CCaptions must be explained:aptions must be explained:• Look at the words used by the main character, what Look at the words used by the main character, what

do you think is the tone of what he is saying?do you think is the tone of what he is saying?

– TThings in the foreground and background are hings in the foreground and background are important:important:

• What do you see in the foreground and background?What do you see in the foreground and background?– UUnderlying attitude of the author should be made nderlying attitude of the author should be made

clear:clear:• What is the attitude of the author to the main What is the attitude of the author to the main

character? Favourable or unfavourable?character? Favourable or unfavourable?– RRemember what you have learnt about this topic:emember what you have learnt about this topic:

• What was the issue that prompted the cartoon?What was the issue that prompted the cartoon?– EExactly what the characters are doing is important xactly what the characters are doing is important

in understanding the cartoon:in understanding the cartoon:• What is the posture, body language and facial What is the posture, body language and facial

expression of the characters?expression of the characters?


ANALYSING THE CARTOON

Can you answer all the questions?

If you can’t, you need to understand the context of the event.

Read the two newspaper articles and try the questions again.


CONTEXT, MESSAGE, IMPACT• Summarise the findings into the following:

– Context: • Use your knowledge of the background information to find out the

circumstances and situation that led to the production of this political cartoon.

• Describe the relevant parts of the cartoon that highlight the context.– Message:

• What is the political cartoon or cartoonist trying to tell you? • Describe the relevant parts of the cartoon that support the message.

– Impact: Who is the political cartoon trying to influence? What is the cartoon trying to achieve?

• Who is the audience that the political cartoon trying to influence?• What does the cartoon want people to do, to think and to feel after

they read the cartoon?• Does the cartoon want people to take some form of action after they

read it?• Describe the relevant parts of the cartoon that suggests the possible

impact.


ASSESSMENT COMPONENTS

• Part 1 [15%]– Find a political cartoon on any current affairs issue.– Identify the different elements of a political cartoon.– Analyse the picture using the PICTURES framework.– Write up using the CMI framework.– Completion of worksheets.

• Part 2 [15%]– Draw your own political cartoon on any issues discussed in the

textbook.– Tell us more about your political cartoon using the CMI

framework.– Reflection on understanding of unit.

• DUE DATE: 28 AUG 2009

tf u unit 2009 political cartoons

News & Politics