Critical Thinking: Political Cartoons

  Critical Thinking: Political Cartoons Media is a strong tool of influence on people. For example, newspapers, magazines, and television may reflect different views on the same phenomenon. It may be sometimes difficult to identify the truth and understand the real state of affairs. That is why people make political cartoons to depict the reality. Political cartoons aim at the society and politicians in order to mock and draw their attention to different social, cultural and political problems. In order to achieve the desired effect, the artist uses persuasive techniques, such as exaggeration, analogy, labeling, irony, satire, AND symbolism. The author uses irony to show his or her own opinion regarding the discussed issue, whether it is positive or negative. This technique makes the audience laugh, and, at the same time, identify the truth. All the pictures include symbols or simple objects that stand for different things. They helps the audience interpret the message and look at ...