Title: GLOSSARY: Terms Used
Course: US Election 2016-Leuphana Copy > Section: 5. Tips and tools

Symbolism

Cartoonists use simple objects, or symbols, to stand for larger concepts or ideas, for example a dollar bill might stand for the economy or an octopus for a big corporation with 'tentacles'.

These are some examples of symbols that occur in cartoons:

- peace – dove, olive branch, victory sign
- United States – Uncle Sam, flag, stars and stripes, shield
- Democrats – donkey
- Republicans – elephant
- death – vulture, skeleton with shroud, skull and crossbones, grim reaper
- love – heart, Cupid, Venus
- money – dollar bill or dollar sign
- heroes or good guys – wear white
- villains or bad guys – wear black

After you identify the symbols in a cartoon, think about what the cartoonist intends each symbol to stand for.

Exaggeration

Sometimes cartoonists overdo, or exaggerate, the physical characteristics of people or things in order to make a point. Such changes in size, shape, emotions, or gestures can add meaning to symbols and figures shown in catoons.

When you study a cartoon, look for any characteristics that seem overdone or distorted. (Facial characteristics and clothing are some of the most commonly exaggerated characteristics.) Then, try to decide what point the cartoonist was trying to make through exaggeration.

Labeling

Cartoonists often label objects or people to make it clear exactly what they stand for.
Watch out for the different labels that appear in a cartoon, and ask yourself 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 that share some characteristics. By comparing a complex issue or situation with a more familiar one, cartoonists can help their readers see it in a different light.
After you've studied a cartoon for a while, try to decide what the cartoon's main analogy is. What two situations does the cartoon compare? Once you understand the main analogy, decide if this comparison makes the cartoonist's point more clear to you.

Irony

Irony is the difference between the ways things are and the way things should be, or the way things are expected to be. Cartoonists often use irony to express their opinion on an issue.

When you look at a cartoon, see if you can find any irony in the situation the cartoon depicts. If you can, think about what point the irony might be intended to emphasize. Does the irony help the cartoonist express his or her opinion more effectively?

TV journalist

You are familiar with the private and political background of the potential first couple. You should ask controversial or provocative questions to make the debate lively and arouse reactions from your interview partners. Think of a possible opening and closing question.

Democratic or Republican candidate

The interview is a great chance for you to introduce your political agenda and your personal background in a good light. You can speak about your background, for exmaple your biography, education, professional career, as well as the support from your family.

Republican candidate’s family member

Of course you are familiar with your candidate’s political plans and campaign and can discuss them with the public. But you also know their private background and you provide support, e.g. you can help out if a tricky or controversial question comes up.

Democratic candidate’s family member

Of course you are familiar with your candidate’s political plans and campaign and can discuss them with the public. But you also know their private background and you provide support, for example, you can help out if a tricky or controversial question comes up. You can also help shape your candidate's public image, for example, by making him/her appear more amicable, softer, family-oriented, reliable, etc.

Preparations for creating a Moodle quiz (click here)

The quiz for this task has already been created (QUIZ: The Electoral System), but you need to insert your questions and answers.

Your teacher has to follow these three steps to allow you to add quiz contents:

1. Click on 'Locally assigned roles' in the Administration side block.
2. Click on 'Quizrole for students'.
3. Select those students who will create the quiz and drag and drop them into the box for the quiz creator role.

Once the quiz creator roles have been assigned, these students can proceed to insert the quiz questions.

[fa-external-link] Find more documentation on the quiz module here.

Two local journalists

Imagine you are a journalist working for a local newspaper in your state’s capital. Your perspective on the election campaign focuses especially on what the policies of the two candidates would mean for your state’s citizens. You will open and close the debate and lead to the next topic if no new arguments come up or you are pressed for time. If necessary, you can ask introductory questions for each of the three topics. In closing, briefly summarize the debate.

State campaign coordinator

Imagine you are your candidate’s campaign coordinator for your adopted state. You are familiar with your candidate’s platform and your job is to adapt this platform to your state’s citizens. That is, you explain how and why Hillary Clinton’s or Donald Trump’s proposed policies are especially important for people in your state.

Most importantly, you are the local campaign’s expert on one of the three issues and will argue why your candidate is the best choice when it comes to your chosen issue.

Ivanka Trump

You are Donald J. Trump's eldest daughter – ex-fashion model and now business woman and mother, Ivanka Trump. You know your father's political plans very well and defend them in public. However, you also know your father's private side and his character. You paint a softer image of your father in public and also help him appeal to important voter groups, for example women voters.

Chelsea Clinton

You are Hillary and Bill Clinton's daughter, former news correspondent for NBC, mother, and representative of the Clinton Foundation, Chelsea Clinton. You know your mother's political plans very well and defend them in public. However, you also know your mother's private side and her character. You paint a more relatable image of your mother in public and also help her appeal to important voter groups.

Peter Ticktin

You are Donald J. Trump's former classmate, Peter Ticktin. You and Trump went to New York Military Academy together for High School. During your senior High School year, Trump was your captain. You've known Trump for decades now and you can tell the public how you met him, what you think of him, and what type of person he is.

Betsy Ebeling

You are Hillary Clinton's former classmate, Betsy Ebeling. Clinton and you went together to elementary school in Park Ridge, Illinois, and became childhood friends. You've known Clinton for decades now and you can tell the public how you met her, what you think of her, and what type of person she is.

Juxtaposition

Cartoonists can juxtapose objects, situations, or people in cartoons by placing them next to each other, side-by-side. That is, by placing them together in the same context or contrasting them with each other, cartoonists can point towards differences or similarities between things or people and make a statement.