Political Cartoons
Guide
Political Cartoons use
information and points of view to inform the illustration of public figures or
issues in a symbolic and often satirical manner. The Cartoons commonly use dialogue and text
to clarify the symbolism and usually reveal their intention with a caption.
Rationale: Research demonstrates that synthesizing
information, or taking information and creating new and independent work,
increases understanding and retention.
Instructions: Draw four political cartoons with planned
symbolism. Be sure that all dialogue and
objects have symbolic value, use text to help viewers identify the symbolism on
any objects where the symbolism is unclear.
Write a caption that helps the reader understand.
General
Guidelines
·
Be creative
·
Apply learned knowledge
·
Insure ease of interpretation
Political
Cartoon Rubric
|
possible points |
expectations |
points earned |
|
3 |
Uses symbolism to portray a complex idea |
|
|
3 |
Uses text on objects to clarify symbolism
in cartoon |
|
|
3 |
Demonstrates understanding of relevant
knowledge |
|
|
2 |
Invokes satirical thoughts |
|
|
2 |
Exhibits creativity and originality |
|
|
1 |
Written paragraphs clearly explain meaning |
|
|
1 |
Uses footnotes to identify sources of
information |
|
|
15 |
total |
|
Cartoon
Example
Curious George
Visual Symbols
Curious
George - President George W. Bush generally looks
to Vice President Dick Cheney as an advisor and mentor. In the public eye, Bush is often portrayed as
incompetent and a leader who is as apt to make a mess as he is to save the day.
Cheney
at the President’s Desk – VP Cheney was Chief of
Staff under George Bush Sr. as well as the CEO of Halliburton, a military
services company. VP Cheney is at
President George W. Bush’s desk because it is often thought that he sets policy
in a way more similar to president than vice president.
Shotgun – On
Words Clarifying Symbols
Unitary
Executive Powers – Cheney is reading a document
entitled “Unitary Executive Powers” to illustrate the Bush Administration’s
policies that have given the Executive Branch an increase in the amount of
power relative to the other branches. This
has become a particular concern since the media began to publish articles about
a secret government program under the National Security Agency that taps international
telephone conversations. These wiretaps
are conducted without a warrant from a Judge; therefore, many believe that this
NSA program violates the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which set
up a secret court specifically for the clandestine approval of wiretapping
potential international threats. Cheney
was the mastermind behind increases in executive power based on the idea that
Congress authorized the use of force in order to win the war in
