Assignment 2: Cartoon Criticism Report

Select your favorite cartoon and write a paper about it. Divide the paper into 5 sections using the following titles. Use the questions as guides.

1. Sensory qualities:
Are the lines more bold, fussy, light, hard or soft? Are the shapes more curvy (organic) or angular (geometric)? What effect does this create?

2. Formal qualities:
How did the cartoonist exaggerate parts of the body or background (make them big or stretch them out)? Is the cartoon more realistic or abstract (non-realistic)? What conventions did the cartoonist use (speed lines, worry or crying or swearing marks, silhouettes, or. . .)?

3. Expressive qualities:
How is the facial expression portrayed? Is it happy, sad, angry, or. . .? What feelings do the lines convey? For example, shaky lines may suggest anxiety or curvy lines may suggest peace. What symbols did the artist use? What are the cartoon's meanings? What do you think is the cartoonist's opinion about the subject? What details does the cartoonist give to communicate his attitude? Is this done by the use of words or the image? Or a combination of both?

4. Technical qualities:
What medium did he or she use to draw the cartoon (pencil, ink, brush, crayon, computer)? What method did the cartoonist use to create the light and dark shading (such as stippling with the point of the pencil, hatching and cross-hatching ,scumbling with the side of the pencil, smudging with a blending stick)

5. Judgmental qualities:
Is the cartoon in bad taste (not acceptable morally)? Why? Since cartoons are often based on stereotypes, were there any stereotypes used in this cartoon? What is the difference between this cartoon as art or entertainment? Functional? Does it serve a purpose as a means for creating change? How? Do you like the cartoon? Why? How is it effective in your eyes?