Assignment 1: Finding Cartoons

Select 5 cartoons that you find interesting. Try to find an article on the same topic to help you understand the content of each cartoon. It is also important to understand the artist's intention; look for other cartoons by this artist. Look for cartoons on the same topic by other artists to compare and contrast their viewpoints.

Ben Franklin Ben: Remember, a symbol is a thing that represents something else, a material object to represent an idea. The swastika in Benson's cartoon represented the idea that the kid was exploring militaristic, murderous ideas. The image of a computer suggested he was using online information to receive and send information about military weapons. Also check out the Rubric to see how you will be assessed for this assignment.

Complete the following for each cartoon:

1. Clip the cartoon from the newspaper or magazine so that it can be included with the assignment; or download the cartoon from the web. (If you cannot download a cartoon, list its URL address.) Place a date and identifying notation of your source for the entry.

2. Describe what the cartoon is about. Refer to the article or other cartoons about the same topic, if you found one.

3. What symbols are used to communicate the meaning?

4. What do you think is the cartoonist's personal opinion about the subject?

5. Rate this cartoon in relation to the other four from the most successful to the least.

6. State your reasoning for choosing the cartoon, considering the following features:

• The cartoon style: was it realistic, exaggerated, simplistic?
  
• The cartoonist's treatment of the art elements--color, texture, line or shape?
  
• The visual or verbal humor, sarcasm, or creativity
  
• Your emotional reaction to the cartoon

Answer the following questions, comparing the cartoons:

7. Show your 5 cartoons to 3 different people. Try to choose people of different genders, backgrounds, ages. Ask them what the cartoons and the symbols mean to them.

Write a short summary for each interviewee followed by a paragraph that compares and contrasts these responses. Consider how their backgrounds affect their interpretations.

8. See if any symbols are repeated in the cartoons. (For instance, if it is election time, the symbols for the two major parties, the elephant and the donkey, may be used often.) If there are repetitions, write a paragraph comparing how they are used. If there is no repetition, state so.

9. Hand in the assignment, including copies of the five cartoons or the URLs.

EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENT

Write a paper comparing the impact of a cartoon with that of an article or piece of literature (such as a poem, an essay, an editorial) on the same topic. Discuss the content of each, the artist's viewpoint, and your perception of how persuasive the piece of literature is in comparison to the cartoon.