Political Cartoons

Using the provided cartoons, answer these questions.

Initial Reading:
1. Glance quickly at the cartoon. What is your first impression?
2. Read the text in the picture. What does it tell you about the topic of the cartoon?
3. Consider your background knowledge- whether its the news, social media, or class
knowledge- what do you already know about the context?
Closer Look:
4. Describe what you see in the cartoon. Who is featured? What is this person/people doing
or saying? Where is it taking place? What else do you notice of importance?
Draw Conclusions:
5. Identify possible bias. Whose perspective or point of view is expressed? Does this person
have a history of pointing blame somewhere?
6. Explain the overall message of the cartoon in one paragraph.

Once youve done this, pick an issue that you have seen in the news within the past month. Use
websites/apps such as CBC and CTV to find something that interests you. Identify the factors you
noticed in question #4.
Create your own cartoon about the topic you have chosen. Make sure you put in all the factors that
you have identified in question 4. You may draw this cartoon or use technology in any way.