cartoon work

Bias (Abstract noun) & biased (adjective)

Taking sides. Not being objective.

Ask the following questions:

·     What words or images are used?

·     Are they neutral or full of emotion?

·     Does the writer or painter give different points of view, or do they show only one point of view?

·     Why was this source made?  Has the person any reason to be one-sided?  Are they trying to influence or impress a particular group of people?

What is the stance of the creator of the source?

The source is

 Pro – (this)

For / in favour of

Or The Source is Anti – (this) / against

BECAUSE….

NOT: The source is biased towards…

How to Analyse cartoons...

Cartoons give an artist’s interpretation of a particular topic. 

• They are generally not neutral. 

• To work out what the artist’s point of view is you need to look at the cartoons carefully. 

Consider these questions:

• How has the artist drawn the people?

  • Are they realistically drawn or are certain aspects of the exaggerated?

  • Are they standing or sitting?

  • What attitude does the cartoonist want you to have about them?

• What else is included in the cartoon?

  • Is there any writing on the cartoon itself?

• What symbols are used to get the message across?

• Which images are drawn large and which are small, and why?

• Is there a date and caption with the cartoon? What does it tell you?

• What is the artist’s intention?

  • Does the cartoon have a particular message?

  • Would the cartoonist like you to react in a certain way?

  • Has he / she succeeded?

• Is it a positive or critical view of the topic?

  • What do you know about the period that might support your view of the cartoon?

• What does the interpretation of the topic tell you about the artist?

  • Can you find bias?

  • Can you work out whom he / she supports?

Cartoons give an artist’s interpretation of a particular topic. 

• They are generally not neutral. 

• To work out what the artist’s point of view is you need to look at the cartoons carefully. 

Consider these questions:

• How has the artist drawn the people?

  • Are they realistically drawn or are certain aspects of the exaggerated?

  • Are they standing or sitting?

  • What attitude does the cartoonist want you to have about them?

• What else is included in the cartoon?

  • Is there any writing on the cartoon itself?

• What symbols are used to get the message across?

• Which images are drawn large and which are small, and why?

• Is there a date and caption with the cartoon? What does it tell you?

• What is the artist’s intention?

  • Does the cartoon have a particular message?

  • Would the cartoonist like you to react in a certain way?

  • Has he / she succeeded?

• Is it a positive or critical view of the topic?

  • What do you know about the period that might support your view of the cartoon?

• What does the interpretation of the topic tell you about the artist?

  • Can you find bias?

  • Can you work out whom he / she supports?

Values of Cartoons

Limitations of Cartoons

• Cartoons draw attention to political issues through humour.

• Cartoons emphasise particular points that have possibly been overlooked by the general public.

• One can see the viewpoints of the people.

• The disadvantage is that they are biased and subjective and therefore limited. Cartoons are just the cartoonist's opinion.

• The reader needs to have a knowledge of the historical context of the cartoon in order to understand it. Research needs to be done for some cartoons to be understood therefore meaning a historian would need prior knowledge before looking at a cartoon for information

• They make use of exaggeration to get their message across.