cartoons you have probably come across them in a newspaper or magazine. That they appear in so many different mediums not only indicates how popular they are, but is also an indication of their importance social function. Here you can find out what this is and how you can work it out in a cartoon analysis.
Before you familiarize yourself with the individual requirements of a cartoon analysis, it is good to know what exactly a cartoon is:
A cartoon («caricature») is one drawingwhose aim is societal, political or social conditions on humorous way too Leave a Comment or to criticize.
As you can see from the definition, a cartoon fulfills a certain function, namely criticism exercise and thus stimulate readers to think. Working out this point of criticism is the main task of cartoon analysis.
Did you know that cartoons have been used to critique social events for centuries? The first cartoon appeared on June 9, 1754 in the Pennsylvania Gazette, published by American writer and politician Benjamin Franklin. The cartoon showed a snake dissected into several pieces. Each piece had the name of an American colony on it and the caption «Join, or Die». The cartoon was thus an allusion to uniting the individual colonies.
Writing cartoon analysis tense
Before you get more involved with the structure of a cartoon analysis, you should be clear about the tenses used. The forms you use when writing a cartoon analysis aren’t always the same throughout. Basically, however, you can remember that you actionswhich take place in the cartoon, write in the present progressive, which could look something like this:
The man on the left is holding a sign in his hands while standing on a crowded platform at a train station.
As you can see, the actions depicted in the cartoon are written in the present progressive. However, if you describe what exactly is where in the cartoon, you use the simple present, i.e. the simple present tense.
Are you not sure anymore how the «present progressive» is formed or when the «simple present» is used? Then click into the explanations of the same name.
Now that you are familiar with the tenses used, you can delve deeper into building a cartoon analysis. This usually consists of four different parts: one introduction (introduction) one description (description) one analysis (analysis) and a final one valuation (evaluation).
Cartoon Analysis – Introduction
Like most English texts you will work on in class, a cartoon analysis begins with a introductionso one introduction. In this part you will answer the following questions:
- Who drew the cartoon? (cartoonist)
- What’s the title (title) of the cartoon?
- In which medium (publication) was it published? (e.g. in a newspaper or magazine)
- What is the date (dates) of publication?
- About what content (contents) or about which topic (topic) fine?
Formulation aids and example for an introduction
At the beginning of your analysis, you can summarize the above information in a sentence that can follow this pattern:
The cartoon «» by , published on in , illustrates .
If you add the brackets, your introductory sentence could look like this:
The cartoon «Party Animals 2020» by Dave Granlund, published on December 31, 2020 on the website «Political Cartoons», illustrates the current state of American politics.
Once your readers have informed you about the most important aspects of the cartoon, you can move on to the next part of your analysis.
Cartoon Analysis – description
In the second part of the cartoon analysis, you now describe for your readers what exactly can be seen in the cartoon. In doing so, you are referring more precisely to those shown persons and the situationin which they are located or which actionsthat they run.
You do best with the description systematic before. It makes sense to describe the cartoon from right to left or from top to bottom, for example. In addition, at this point in your cartoon analysis, you also address whether the cartoon text includes and if so, how exactly it is.
If your cartoon includes text, be sure to check its exact shape enter. There are three different types here:
- speech bubbles (speech bubbles) clarify what a particular person is saying
- inscriptions (inscription/label) often stand on things to characterize them
- Captions (captions) often describe the depicted situation
Note that in this part you really only describe, which can be seen in the cartoon. For example, if there are two people in the caricature who are portraying politicians, you really only describe the people themselves. So you would write There are two women. On the other hand, you would only interpret the fact that these are two female politicians in the analysis.
Formulation aids and example for the description
To describe the cartoon as precisely as possible, you can use the following formulations:
- There is a caption underneath/above the cartoon which says «…»
- The text in the speech bubble is spoken by…
- There is a speech bubble which says «…»
- In the foreground/background of the cartoon, there is…
- On the right/left side, we can see…
- In the upper/lower right/left-hand corner, there is…
- In the middle/at the center of the cartoon, there is…
Specifically, it could look like this:
On the left side of the cartoon, we can see a donkey in a suit. There is a speech bubble above it saying «We aren’t the party animals we used to be…». In the center of the cartoon, between the donkey and the elephant, there is a bottle labeled «2020 politics». Next to it, on the right-hand side, there is an elephant, also dressed in a suit. There is a speech bubble indicating that the elephant says, «For once we agree on something!».
As you can see here, the cartoon in the example systematic described from left to right (on the left side, in the center, on the right-hand side). This makes it easier for your readers to understand the description. Also remember that everyone lyrics from the speech bubbles or headings in quotation marks have to stand.
Cartoon Analysis – structure
Now that you’ve familiarized your readers with exactly what’s in the cartoon, you’ll begin analysis. Here you focus on working out which ones expression who wanted to meet the artist with the comic. So it’s about the societal, social or political message that the caricature is intended to convey.
In order to work out the main statement or the criticism of the cartoon, you can use the following key questions as a guide:
- Which person is shown? Is it a well-known personality or not?
- How is the person portrayed?
- What is criticized?
- How is the criticism made clear?
To answer these questions, you should also refer to the stylistic device (stylisitc devices) used in the cartoon. An overview that lists the most common stylistic devices and their meaning can help you:
Sytlistic Device meaning allegory (allegories)
- abstract concept is replaced by a tangible image (e.g. state as a ship)
labeling (labeling)
- People or objects are given a label or a characteristic designation to clarify their properties
Size (size)
- large person: seems powerful and scary
- small person: seems powerless and intimidated
lightness and darkness (lightness and darkness)
- bright display: seems carefree, hopeful and positive
- dark representation: indicate fear, uncertainty and catastrophe
hyperbole/exaggeration (hyperbole/exaggeration)
- individual/characteristic features of a person/object are exaggerated (e.g. «He is older than the hills.«)
metaphor (metaphor)
- Comparison to a person/an issue is illustrated graphically
- Characteristics that animals are said to have (e.g. donkey = stupid) are transferred to humans
- Idioms can be represented graphically (e.g. person with a board in front of their head)
stereotyping (stereotyping)
- simplified representation of a person based on prejudice
symbol (symbol)
- clarify the presentation of complex ideas/concepts (e.g. dove of liberty as a symbol for peace)
If you would like to get an overview of the stylistic means, then the explanation «English stylistic means» will help you.
Formulation aids and example for the analysis
- The … symbolizes/is a symbol for…
- The … is a metaphor and represents/stands for/illustrates…
- The labels are meant to represent….
- The depiction of … is a hyperbole/exaggeration which illustrates…
In relation to an example, this could look like this in your analysis:
The donkey and the elephant are symbols for the two main political parties in the USA. The donkey represents the Democratic Party, whereas the elephant stands for the Republican Party. This is also illustrated by the labels «DEMS» and «GOP» attached respectively to their suits. The bottle of alcohol between them is a metaphor representing the challenging political landscape the parties had to face during the year 2020. With the COVID- pandemic and the presidential elections, 2020 was a year of upheaval; the author thus suggests that alcohol is needed to cope with everything that has happened.
In this example, the assumption that the two animals represent the political parties is underlined by the respective labels. In addition, it is not enough just to name stylistic means; You also need to explain exactly what they mean: Here, the metaphor of the alcohol bottle is first mentioned and then what it stands for is explained.
Cartoon Analysis – Rating
In the fourth and last part of your cartoon analysis evaluate you the cartoon At this point, you are specifically addressing whether you see the cartoon and the criticism it conveys as convincing watch (or not) and why.
You also evaluate whether the stylistic devices used are appropriate and underline the criticism appropriately. So overall, you rate how effectively the cartoon is like its message really makes readers think.
Formulation aids and example for the evaluation
To reflect your assessment of the cartoon and make it clear whether you like the message of the cartoonist convinced you, these formulations will help you:
- In my opinion, the cartoon is convincing/effective because…
- Personally, I do not think that the cartoonist is convincing because…
- Due to…, I doubt whether readers will understand the cartoonist’s message.
- As far as I am concerned, the cartoon sends a strong message because…
Here, too, you can use an example to illustrate how the evaluation of the…