Title: TASK: Cartoon analysis
Course: GG 22/23 Leuphana-Copy > Section: 4. Language Focus

1. Introduction

- In the GLOSSARY: Political cartoons you will find a selection of 10 political cartoons: two for each study module and two more focusing on sustainability in general.
- Select one of the cartoons. Identify its theme or topic. Also take notes of any unclear or confusing aspects and initial questions you might have. Do a quick web-search to solve them. Take detailed notes (on paper or in your blog).

- 2. A look at the cartoon's message
- Next, think about your cartoon's message. What might have the cartoonist wanted to say or convey with this cartoon? On the other hand, what is the cartoon's effect on you? That is, does it trigger any emotions, reactions, or questions? Take detailed notes (on paper or in your blog).

- 3. Critical analysis
  1. Study the cartoon's visual elements, such as people, objects, setting, speech bubbles, and the caption or title (if provided). Are there any significant, unusual, or surprising aspects?
  2. Now, focus on the persuasive techniques that the cartoonist might have applied. These are the most common techniques (you can click on them for a brief explanation):

• Symbolism
• Exaggeration
• Labeling
• Analogy
• Irony

What could be their function and what is their effect on your understanding of the cartoon? Take notes and discuss your findings with your partner or group. Do you all agree or are there any points of disagreement?

- 4. Write a cartoon analysis
- Use your notes to compose a written analysis of the cartoon. Follow the general structure: Introduction, description (of visual elements), critical analysis (of persuasive techniques), conclusion.
You can write an online-text or submit a file as a submission to this assignment.

Here are some optional follow-up activities for this section:

Optional Prepare a lead discussion

Go to the Cagle Website and select another cartoon about your overall topic. Analyze it critically (as you did above) and prepare a lead discussion for your group or class. Prepare interesting questions and maybe also background materials to be used in class.

Optional Make a cross-cultural comparison

Go to the German toonpool Website and browse it for German political cartoons about your topic. Do German and American cartoons cover the topic differently? Such differences can include the use of language and idioms, references to popular culture and literature, personal character traits, depiction of events or geography, portrayal of persons, and so on. Some of these aspects can be quite culturally specific, that means they might only be understood in one culture but not in another. You can present your results by focusing on one example cartoon.

Optional Conduct a cartoon case study

Visit the Cagle Website and browse the cartoons addressing your topic. In this case study, you should look for trends and similarties, but also extreme examples. Select not more than 10 cartoons and analyze them for common features, such as motives, symbols, language features, and others. Document and present your results.

 [fa-file-o] Need some help? See the [fa-hand-o-up] TIP: Analyzing cartoons for step-by-step support, useful expressions, and a self-assessment sheet for your written cartoon analysis. To review all the persuasive techniques in political cartoons, visit the GLOSSARY: Persuasive techniques in political cartoons.