Editorial Cartoons: An Introduction

This is the first lesson in the series "Using Editorial Cartoons to Teach Social Justice [1]."

Introduction

An editorial cartoon uses pictures and text to make a statement about something. Editorial cartoons are a way to express opinions about a wide range of topics, such as politics or culture. Cartoonists often use images of well-known people, places and things to send a message. Editorial cartoons can be challenging because you often need background knowledge to understand them.

When you are trying to interpret any editorial cartoon, just remember to: look at the picture; then, look at the BIGGER picture!

1. Look at the picture. First, take a look at the images and text in the cartoon, and describe what you see. Is there anything that looks familiar?
2. Look at the BIGGER picture.

Next, think about what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present. What is the artist of the cartoon trying to tell you?

Editorial Cartoon

Examine the cartoon below.

Artist: Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune. Reprinted with Permission. Teachers may purchase individual cartoons for other lesson plans at PoliticalCartoons.com [2]

Activities

Try using the strategy with an editorial cartoon.

Look at the picture.

What images do you see?

What does the text say?

What looks familiar in the cartoon?

Look at the BIGGER picture.

What past and/or present event is shown here?

What is the artist trying to say?