History

1. How to analyse political
cartoons
Sec 3 (Express) / Mr Paul Ho

2. Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
•Review the 3 steps of source analysis.
•Identify features of a political cartoon.
•Identify persuasive techniques used by cartoonists.
•Analyze a political cartoon.

3. Three Steps of Source Analysis
Observe
Question Reflect

4. Step 1: Observe
Take some time to really look at the source. A few
questions to ask yourself are:
• Who made this source? Where and when?
• What is the main focus of the cartoonist or artist?
• Who are the people or countries or organisations
featured in the source?
• Who are they depicted? Big/Small?
Ugly/Funny/Handsome?
• What are the actions of the people featured in the
cartoon?

5. Step 2: Reflect
After you’ve studied the source, take some time to think
about it. Questions you should try to answer include:
•Why was it made? (To criticize?To motivate?To
persuade?)
•Who is the audience?
•What else was happening during the time period? (This is
called "context.")

6. Step 3: Question
Political cartoons are normally found in the newspapers.
They are drawn as a way to change the public’s opinion
towards the cartoonist’s point of view.
•What is the cartoonist’s opinion of the people featured?
•What does the cartoonist want people to do after being
convinced by the political cartoon?
•Is the cartoonist showing bias in the political cartoon?
•Does the cartoon reflect an accurate depiction of
historical events?

7. Defining Features of Political Cartoons from
Europe or the USA in the 1920s to 1980s
Personification of various countries

8. Exercise
This Cartoon depicts the Age of Imperialism where the European countries
were competing to develop overseas colonies by taking over parts of Asia,
Africa and South America. Can you identify the respective countries?

9. Caricatures are a picture,
description, or imitation of a
person in which certain
striking characteristic
are exaggerated in order to
create a comic
or grotesque effect. They are
meant to mock or criticize a
certain country, person or
organization.

10. Caricature of KaiserWilhelm.

11. What do Cartoonists use to convey their
message?
Symbolism.
• Cartoonists often use simple objects to
represent historical events, actions or
ideas.
• The cartoonist uses an ogre or troll to
symbolize Germany use of U-boat
(Submarine) warfare.
• What might the symbolism mean?

12. Exaggeration.
• Cartoonists might exaggerate a
physical feature of a person or
thing to highlight their support or
opposition against certain
leaders or events.
• Sometimes, they might depict
people in different sizes to
highlight their importance or
power over others.
What do Cartoonists use to convey their
message?

13. Labelling.
• Cartoonists often label items
or images to inform the
audience what they stand for.
• They help the audience
understand what the cartoon
is referring to during the
event or action depicted.
What do Cartoonists use to convey their
message?

14. Analogy
• An Analogy is the use of comparison
between two opposing groups or actions
to highlight the differences in morality,
justice or fairness.
• By comparing two differing actions of
one country, and depicting past issues
with present ones, the cartoonist might
be trying to influence the audience to
support or oppose the country.
What do Cartoonists use to convey
their message?

15. What do Cartoonists use to convey their
message?
Irony.
• Irony is the way of the
cartoonists to highlight the
way things versus the way
they should be.
• It is usually used to make fun
of or criticize one party,
country or historical leader.

16. Practice
• What can you infer from the source
about the cause ofWorldWar One?
• Does the author blame anyone for the
cause ofWorldWar One?
• Why do you think so?What evidence
can you find from the cartoon to support
your conclusion?
• What do you think the cartoonist want
the audience (during that period) to do
after seeing the cartoon?

17. Practice
• What does this source say
about the cause ofWorldWar
One?
• Is the Cartoon biased against
one country?
• How did the cartoonist depict
his bias in the cartoon?
• Who is the intended audience
of this cartoon?
• What was the audience
supposed to do after
understanding the cartoon?