Political Cartoon: Persuasive Techniques

• Analogy - a comparison between two unlike things that share at least one characteristic

• Caricature - a picture, description, or imitation of a person in which certain characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic, repulsive, or shocking effect

• Distortion/Exaggeration - Changes or exaggerations in size, shape, emotions, or gestures often add extra meaning to the symbols the cartoon includes

• Humor - a "funny" way for cartoonists to communicate their message to their audience through irony, caricature, exaggeration, etc.

Political Cartoon: Persuasive Techniques

• Irony - the difference between the way something is and the way it should be/ the way it is expected to be; something is said in a way that undercuts or mocks its own apparent meaning; often used for humor, but always highlights contradiction

• Labeling/Captions - placards, dialogue, etc. used to create clarity and context

• Stereotyping - a vastly oversimplified view of some group that is often insulting, and can also reveal broad cultural attitudes

• Symbolism - any image that represents some other thing, event, person, abstract idea or trend in politics, society, the news, etc.