Political Cartoons: Insights into the Past
By Tori Austin

Overview

Political cartoons exist to make a point about some issue in the news. Political cartoons provide a way for people to express points of view and opinions about political and social issues. From the time of the American Revolution to the present, political cartoons, through avenues such as humor, satire, exaggeration, caricature, and symbolism, have become powerful tools of expression. In this lesson, students will explore the elements of political cartoons, analyze historical cartoons, and transfer their knowledge and understanding by developing their own political cartoon on a current events issue.

Target Grade Levels: Middle and high school, grades 6-12

For use with: Political Cartoons Image Collections

National Curriculum Standards met by this lesson

For a list of standards that this unit addresses, click here.

Time Required

One or two 50-minute class periods

Materials

Political cartoons of Slavery Image Collection

Attachments A and B

The Lesson

Anticipatory Set

Have students read the Introduction to Political Cartooning to help students understand the history of political cartoons, the different techniques used to create political cartoons, and the elements of political cartoons. This introduction provides a solid introduction to the use of political cartoons as a window into the study of a historical event, time period or person.

Procedures

1. Create packets of the Political Cartoon Concept Mix and Match (Attachment A). The chart should be copied onto cardstock and each segment should be cut apart. There should be 14 segments in each packet.



2. Assign students to groups of 3-4. Each student group should match the concept with the correct definition. Once all of the student groups have completed the task, review the answers with the entire class. Then select one student group to read the group's chart. If another group does not agree with what is stated, one student should say, "Buzz." The teacher should then ask that group to explain their point of contention. The class should then decide which group has the correct answer.

Political Cartoon Study

1. If the students have access to computers in the classroom, they should be put in groups of three to complete the task. If computer access is not readily available, the teacher should print the cartoons and put them in packets for student groups to review.



2. Each group should go through each of the cartoons in each of the collection topics. As a group, the students should select one cartoon from each of the collections and complete the cartoon worksheet (Attachment B) for each selected cartoon.



3. After the students have completed the cartoon analysis, each student group should select one cartoon and the analysis to debrief with the entire class.

Assessment

After the class has debriefed each of the student group's selected cartoons, the students should individually create a political cartoon on a current event. The cartoon should have a title and brief explanation of the selected event. The cartoon should contain the conceptual elements of political cartoons (i.e. symbolism, satire, caricature ... ).

This lesson was submitted by Tori Austin, a teacher and consultant in San Antonio, TX.

Attachment A

Political Cartoon Concept Mix and Match

Attachment B

Editorial Cartoon Study

Cartoon Title _________________

Look closely at the people, symbols, and/or captions in the cartoon. Explain what you think is happening in the cartoon.

1. What issue do you think the cartoonist is trying to address?
2. What conclusions can you draw about the cartoonist's opinion?
3. What specific items in the cartoon led to your conclusion?
4. What opposing point of view might exist on this issue?
5. Using complete sentence, explain the cartoon's main point.

This lesson was submitted by Tori Austin, a history teacher in Texas.