WHAT TO EXPECT
You will be expected to analyse cartoons and show an
understanding of both the visual and the language
techniques used by the cartoonist.
Many of the cartoons you will deal with will have a
serious purpose but some will simply be designed to
entertain. You need to be able to understand the
cartoonist’s purpose in drawing the cartoon.
You will need to show an understanding of the
message in the cartoon.
ENTERTAINMENT OR SERIOUS?
SATIRE
Most political cartoons or those that make a comment on
society and its values would be considered satirical.
Satire occurs when somebody uses humour to make a
serious point about an issue.
The purpose of satire is to highlight the stupidity,
immorality or failings of people in a particular situation
so as to bring about positive changes that improve the
situation.
When dealing with satire it is crucial to try and understand
what the satirist is trying to say. What issue is being
addressed? How does humour highlight the stupidity of the
situation or the people involved? What change would the
satirist like to see to fix the situation?
CARTOONISTS’ PERSUASIVE
TECHNIQUES
SYMBOLISM
EXAGGERATION (Caricature)
LABELING (Stereotyping)
ANALOGY (Figures of Speech)
IRONY AND SARCASM
LANGUAGE TECHNIQUES
SYMBOLISM
Cartoonists use simple objects, or symbols, to stand
for larger concepts or ideas. Some symbols are simple
like a flag identifying the loyalty or origin of a
character.
Some characters or symbols have developed over time.
Uncle Sam has come to represent the United States or
the American Federal Government.
Some other characters or symbols include:
France = a rooster
China = a dragon
Spain = a bull
Britain = a bulldog, a lion or a man called John Bull
USA = an Eagle
Russia = a Bear
Communism = A red flag and a hammer and sickle
Nazism = A Swastika or a goose-stepping soldier
Fat, bloated men in expensive clothes smoking cigars,
fat cats = Capitalism or the upper classes in a capitalist
society
Clothes and everyday objects can also have symbolic
value. They can identify cultural and political
differences.
Some symbols have are a result of association with the
qualities of the figure that is being portrayed.
Sometimes cartoonists create symbols that they will
link to a specific person or situation. An example
would be the showerhead that the cartoonist Zapiro
always links to former president Jacob Zuma.
Some symbols can have multiple components. Justice
is often represented by a blindfolded lady holding
a set of scales in one hand and a sword in the
other. The blindfold symbolises that justice is fair and
does not pick sides. The scales represent the weighing
up of the evidence and the balance of guilt/innocence.
The sword represents the punishment that would be
meted out to the guilty.
EXAGGERATION (CARICATURE)
Cartoonists will often exaggerate or overdo the
physical characteristics of people in order to make
them easily identifiable or to make a point. The
exaggeration of body features is called caricature.
Look for characteristics that seem overdone or
overblown. Ask what point the cartoonist was trying
to make by exaggerating them.
LABELING
Cartoonists often label objects or people to make it
exactly clear what they stand for.
Watch out for different labels in a cartoon. Ask why
the cartoonist chose to label that particular person or
object. Does the label make the meaning of the object
more clear?
ANALOGY
An analogy is a comparison between two unlike
things. By comparing a complex issue with a more
familiar situation cartoonists can help their readers to
see it in a different light.
Try to identify what the main analogy in a cartoon is.
What two situations does the cartoon compare? Why
does the cartoonist make this comparison? What do
we learn from this comparison?
Also be aware of the use of other figurative techniques
such as Simile, Metaphor, Personification, etc.
IRONY AND SARCASM
Cartoonists make powerful use of irony and sarcasm.
Irony in cartoons often reflects the difference between
the way things are and the way things should be.
Look for examples of dramatic, situational and verbal
irony.
Cartoonists are often very sarcastic. Be able to
distinguish between when they are being ironic and
when they are being sarcastic.
Explain why the cartoonist has chosen to be ironic.
How does irony help to convey the cartoonist’s
message?
LANGUAGE TECHNIQUES
Look at the use of language in a cartoon.
How does the cartoonist express emotion? Look for
emotive language and persuasive words.
Look at punctuation and the use of fonts.
What figurative language does the cartoonist use? Why?
Does the humour or meaning come from a literal
interpretation of a figurative expression?
Does the cartoonist use language to help develop the
character of the people in the cartoon?
Look at the Heading/Caption; the dialogue and any labels
in the cartoon.
UNDERSTANDING THE MESSAGE
Once you have identified and analysed the persuasive
techniques that the cartoonist used ask these
questions:
Is this cartoon to entertain or is it making
a social or political comment?
What issue is this cartoon about?
What is the cartoonist’s opinion on this
issue?
What other opinion could another person
have on this issue?
Do you find this cartoon persuasive?
Explain why.
STEPS TO FOLLOW
STEP VISUAL ELEMENTS VERBAL ELEMENTS
STEP 1 a. List the objects and a. Identify the
people in the cartoon. caption/title.
b. Locate words or
phrases that identify
people or objects
c. List dates or numbers
STEP VISUAL ELEMENTS VERBAL ELEMENTS
STEP 2 a. How are the people a. List words that have
and objects drawn? powerful negative or
b. Is anything positive
exaggerated? Why? connotations?
c. What objects are used b. What effect does this
as symbols? have?
d. What does each c. What words or
symbol mean? phrases appear the
most important?
Why?
d. List and explain any
figurative techniques.
STEP EXPLANATION
STEP 3 a. Describe the action
taking place in the
cartoon.
b. How do the words
explain the symbols?
c. Explain the message of
the cartoon.
d. Who are the people
that might agree or
disagree with this
cartoon?
