Putting the Puzzle Together for your own Political Cartoon

Before you create your own, lets look at what are the different criteria for a

political cartoon

Example cartoon:

Step 1: What is the topic?

Topic: WWII and U.S. neutrality

Step 2: Message What is the message of the cartoon?

Europeans and their issues in a bed

Uncle Sam (America) is in a separate bed than Europe

Message: America does not want to be in Europe’s affairs/issues; they are not America’s issues

Caption: Helps to explain the message

Step 3: Symbols Use symbols to portray ideasLets look at some symbols here

Smell/Odor= negative image of issues-cannot put up with it

Separate beds= America separate from Europe (all of Europe together

Europeans have the “diseases”

Step 4: Specific Individuals?

Think about if you are going to use specific individuals.

Uncle SamEuropeans (Groups, not specific individuals):Russians, Germans, Italians and British

Step 5: Create your own!

Use the guidelines above to come up with your own ideas and you are ready to create a political

cartoon!