Persuading with a Cartoon
What are some issues that you feel strongly about? How could a cartoon help you persuade others to think or feel as you do?
Cartooning is about persuasion, using "argument, reasoning, or entreaty" to get others to adopt your point of view. Of course, in a cartoon you will use visual images as well as words to create a satirical statement.
Your first step will be to choose an issue that you feel strongly about. Then choose the audience you want to sway to your way of thinking -- fellow students, parents, school personnel, or. . .? Decide why you feel this way and what you want the readers to think after they've seen your cartoon. Decide what kind of images and humor your audience will understand and appreciate.
Next, decide on a character or characters -- human or animal -- to make your point. Remember the cartoons you collected? What was interesting and satirical about the characters? What communicated opinions? How will the character or characters you've chosen get your idea across? How will your subjects symbolize your attitude? What will you exaggerate about your subjects so that they help you make your point both funny and clear?
Will your characters have something to say? Does the situation need to be explained in dialogue or a caption? What might be a caption for your cartoon?
Your ideas will grow and may change as you work on your cartoon. Draw your first ideas in pencil, very lightly. It will take you awhile to get used to drafting your ideas visually. However, you should know that the only way to find your style is to draw and then draw some more. Do not feel you have to produce a finished concept or drawing. You will slowly develop your sketches into finished drawings. Keep your earlier sketches so that you can discuss your drawing process with your teacher and friends. If you keep a portfolio, this will be an interesting process for you to document.
Creating a Political Cartoon
Your assignment is to create a political cartoon. You will use your own ideas and thoughts to design and draw a political cartoon that expresses a point of view. Your cartoon should show a public figure, political event, or social or economic situation. Your cartoon should use symbols, labels, captions, or exaggerations to make your point. The cartoon should be neatly drawn and should be creative. (Artistic ability or style will not be assessed.)
To help you get started:
Issue_________________________________________________________________________
Character(s)___________________________________________________________________
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Political Cartoon Project Evaluation
Student___________________________________________________________________ Section_____ #_____ |
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CATEGORY |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
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Required Elements |
The cartoon includes all required elements as well as additional information. |
All required elements are included on the cartoon. |
All but 1 of the required elements are included on the cartoon. |
Several required elements were missing. |
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Graphics Originality |
Several of the graphics used on the cartoon reflect a exceptional degree of student creativity in their creation and/or display. |
One or two of the graphics used on the cartoon reflect student creativity in their creation and/or display. |
The graphics are made by the student, but are based on the designs or ideas of others. |
No graphics made by the student are included. |
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Graphics Relevance |
All graphics are related to the topic and make it easier to understand. All borrowed graphics have a source citation. |
All graphics are related to the topic and most make it easier to understand. All borrowed graphics have a source citation. |
All graphics relate to the topic. Most borrowed graphics have a source citation. |
Graphics do not relate to the topic OR several borrowed graphics do not have a source citation. |
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Attractiveness |
The cartoon is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness. |
The cartoon is attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness. |
The cartoon is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy. |
The cartoon is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive. |
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Persuasive Ability |
The cartoon was persuasive and the creators opinions are clearly communicated through the illustrations and captions. |
The cartoon was persuasive and the creators opinions are communicated though illustrations or the captions. |
The cartoon was moderately persuasive and the creators opinions were somewhat communicated through the piece. |
The cartoon was not persuasive and the creators opinions were not communicated through the piece. |
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Required Elements: Current events topic relating to the Middle East, expression of a point of view, graphics, caption, citations (if needed), and one or more frames.
PROJECT IS DUE THE KELLEY LAB SESSION OF CYCLE 6!
