How to Understand Political Cartoons

Political cartoons can be found in practically every newspaper. Many are quite funny, while others are just plain odd. You may find yourself reading a political cartoon and not getting the joke. In order to get political cartoons, you must first be somewhat knowledgeable about the political world around you, as well as what the cartoonist is trying to say. Here is how to understand political cartoons.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Know the basics when it comes to politics, such as popular symbols and people found in the political world. Simply put, if you don't know what the elephant or donkey symbolizes in American politics, there are going to be many political cartoons that sail right over your head. Watching news stations or reading the paper on a daily basis will give you this information.

2. Make yourself aware of both personal traits and characteristics that certain politicians are known to have. A political cartoon regarding a person giving money to the NRA, for example, may not make much sense to you if you don't know that the politician in the cartoon is known as being “pro-gun.” Many political cartoons will also poke fun at physical attributes of politicians, such as ear size or the way the politician smiles.

3. Read editorials in newspapers. Many political cartoons are found on the same page as these editorials, and often the editorials are saying the same thing as the political cartoonist. Make sure to read editorials from both sides of the political spectrum. This is important, as there are both conservative and liberal political cartoonists in the world.

4. Keep informed on the latest political news. Most political cartoons will deal with the important people and events of the day. Watch national news shows and read the newspaper and online news sources. If you don't know about the latest news story regarding the War on Drugs, for example, then the political cartoon dealing with that story will not make much sense to you.

5. Talk with others regarding politics and share opinions with these people. Talking with others can help you “catch up” if you have been too busy to watch the news in the last day or so. It can also help you know how others are feeling regarding current political situations in the world around you. By knowing plenty of information about politics from all kinds of viewpoints, you can increase your understanding of political cartoons.