Today’s focus is VISUAL RHETORIC / cartoon analysis which is a feature of most Q1 synthesis sources.
AP's guide to reading images
What's Going on in This Graph NY TIMES
NY TIMES What's Going on in This Picture
AP's guide to reading images
What's Going on in This Graph NY TIMES
NY TIMES What's Going on in This Picture
May 2023 ones=
Obama (bad) satire cover
Trump New Yorker cover
Intro to Visual Rhetoric
Album Covers as Visual Rhetoric - look at The Roots - Things Fall Apart #17
WWII propaganda posters
Historical (WWII example / or consider propaganda posters) = Germs Invade
Historic Example - women's suffrage
Famous art as visual rhetoric - Guernica as visual rhetoric - TED video
9/11 New Yorker covers
Visual Rhetoric - 2021 Super Bowl Commericals
Visual Rhetoric as advertisement - The Look
SAT/ACT scores and parent income level
TOK beautiful data webpage (some examples at the top)
EXPLORE FOR YOUR ASSIGNMENT:
Best photojournalism images
The best photojournalism of the last decade
35 Powerful Images that Tell a Story
&
Best Visual Rhetoric examples - google images
http://www.politicalcartoons.com/
some New Yorker cartoons
The New Yorker cartoon contest
Definition: An editorial cartoon, also known as a political cartoon, is an illustration containing a commentary that usually relates to current events or personalities.
(1) Drawing, design and layout:
After you identify the symbols in a cartoon, think about what the cartoonist intends each symbol to stand for.
ExaggerationSometimes cartoonists overdo, or exaggerate, the physical characteristics of people or things in order to make a point.
When you study a cartoon, look for any characteristics that seem overdone or overblown. (Facial characteristics and clothing are some of the most commonly exaggerated characteristics.) Then, try to decide what point the cartoonist was trying to make through exaggeration.
LabelingCartoonists often label objects or people to make it clear exactly what they stand for.
Watch out for the different labels that appear in a cartoon, and ask yourself why the cartoonist chose to label that particular person or object. Does the label make the meaning of the object more clear?
AnalogyAn analogy is a comparison between two unlike things that share some characteristics. By comparing a complex issue or situation with a more familiar one, cartoonists can help their readers see it in a different light.
After you’ve studied a cartoon for a while, try to decide what the cartoon’s main analogy is. What two situations does the cartoon compare? Once you understand the main analogy, decide if this comparison makes the cartoonist’s point more clear to you.
IronyIrony is the difference between the ways things are and the way things should be, or the way things are expected to be. Cartoonists often use irony to express their opinion on an issue.
When you look at a cartoon, see if you can find any irony in the situation the cartoon depicts. If you can, think about what point the irony might be intended to emphasize. Does the irony help the cartoonist express his or her opinion more effectively?
Once you’ve identified the persuasive techniques that the cartoonist used, ask yourself:
Trump New Yorker cover
Intro to Visual Rhetoric
Album Covers as Visual Rhetoric - look at The Roots - Things Fall Apart #17
WWII propaganda posters
Historical (WWII example / or consider propaganda posters) = Germs Invade
Historic Example - women's suffrage
Famous art as visual rhetoric - Guernica as visual rhetoric - TED video
9/11 New Yorker covers
Visual Rhetoric - 2021 Super Bowl Commericals
Visual Rhetoric as advertisement - The Look
SAT/ACT scores and parent income level
TOK beautiful data webpage (some examples at the top)
EXPLORE FOR YOUR ASSIGNMENT:
Best photojournalism images
The best photojournalism of the last decade
35 Powerful Images that Tell a Story
&
Best Visual Rhetoric examples - google images
http://www.politicalcartoons.com/
some New Yorker cartoons
The New Yorker cartoon contest
Definition: An editorial cartoon, also known as a political cartoon, is an illustration containing a commentary that usually relates to current events or personalities.
(1) Drawing, design and layout:
- Things to consider: What facial expressions are needed to convey the message? How can contrast in color or shading enhance the message?
- What number of elements or objects are needed? What is the focal point? Which visuals need to be emphasized? Did the artist avoid clutter?
- Things to consider: Is the story or historical reference widely known? Is there a present day reference? If there are historical people, are they easily identified? If phrases are used from a literary source, is it well known? What background knowledge does the viewer need to understand the references?
- Things to consider: How do the words work with the visual features of the cartoon? How does the title help you understand the cartoon? How many words, if any , are needed to communicate with the viewer? Are the words familiar to the viewers? Which words aren’t necessary? Is the heading necessary?
- Things to consider: How does the cartoon show an ideas or opinion without stating the opinion? (What is used to represent something else? symbol) Is the issue or idea likened to something else? (analogy) Does the cartoon make the viewer “stretch” his/ her imagination? Is this fair?
- Symbols: Are the symbols well known? Do the symbols add to other elements of the cartoon? Does the symbol not only represent something but help the cartoonist make a point?
- Analogy: Is it clear what the analogy represents?
- (Irony is an implied difference between what is said or expected and what is meant or actually occurs.) Things to consider: Do the words or images express a meaning contrary to the overall point of the cartoon? (irony) Does the message make fun of something or someone to suggest change is needed? (satire) Is the humor respectful? What makes the cartoon humorous or ironic? (images, words) Does the humor or irony make the reader more open to the cartoonist’s point of view?
- Things to consider: What is the point of changing the proportion of objects or people in a cartoon? What does the proportion tell you about the relationships between the objects and / or people? How does the exaggeration or understatement grab the viewers attention or force a response? Is the exaggeration or understatement used to encourage debate or force the viewer to think? Does the exaggeration or understatement look too ridiculous or silly?
- Things to consider: What does the caricature of the person emphasize or exaggerate? Is it a fair exaggeration? What does the exaggeration in the caricature (nose, jaw, eyes, ears, etc.) indicate about the cartoonist’s view of the person? Do the exaggerations encourage debate or an emotional response? Is it effective? Stereotypes have to be used carefully. Is the stereotype harmful? Prejudicial? Naïve? Unfairly insulting to an entire group? Does the stereotype reinforce the cartoonist’s opinion or distract from his/her opinion?
- Things to consider: Is there one topic or issue? Does it express one opinion? Does the cartoonist understand the issue or topic? Does the cartoon force the viewer to use his/ her imagination while clearly communicating the cartoonist’ opinion?
After you identify the symbols in a cartoon, think about what the cartoonist intends each symbol to stand for.
ExaggerationSometimes cartoonists overdo, or exaggerate, the physical characteristics of people or things in order to make a point.
When you study a cartoon, look for any characteristics that seem overdone or overblown. (Facial characteristics and clothing are some of the most commonly exaggerated characteristics.) Then, try to decide what point the cartoonist was trying to make through exaggeration.
LabelingCartoonists often label objects or people to make it clear exactly what they stand for.
Watch out for the different labels that appear in a cartoon, and ask yourself why the cartoonist chose to label that particular person or object. Does the label make the meaning of the object more clear?
AnalogyAn analogy is a comparison between two unlike things that share some characteristics. By comparing a complex issue or situation with a more familiar one, cartoonists can help their readers see it in a different light.
After you’ve studied a cartoon for a while, try to decide what the cartoon’s main analogy is. What two situations does the cartoon compare? Once you understand the main analogy, decide if this comparison makes the cartoonist’s point more clear to you.
IronyIrony is the difference between the ways things are and the way things should be, or the way things are expected to be. Cartoonists often use irony to express their opinion on an issue.
When you look at a cartoon, see if you can find any irony in the situation the cartoon depicts. If you can, think about what point the irony might be intended to emphasize. Does the irony help the cartoonist express his or her opinion more effectively?
Once you’ve identified the persuasive techniques that the cartoonist used, ask yourself:
- What issue is this political cartoon about?
- What is the cartoonist’s opinion on this issue?
- What other opinion can you imagine another person having on this issue?
- Did you find this cartoon persuasive? Why or why not?
- What other techniques could the cartoonist have used to make this cartoon more persuasive?