AP English Language and Composition
05.02 Political Cartoons
1. Visit Five Decades of Herblock on The Washington Post web site.
2. Select 1956–1965, and then select 1966–1975. For both selections, read the essays and view
the five political cartoons associated with each decade:
◦ Determine the issue of the respective historical moments that each of these cartoons
critiques.
◦ Note which visual elements (the actual drawing, including the layout and design)
and verbal elements (the text, including titles and captions) are combined to produce
particular meanings and effects in each cartoon.
3. Select any five political cartoons from the Herblock collection. For each of the political
cartoons you choose, write a paragraph analysis that does the following:
◦ Identifies the vice, issue, or institution that the cartoon satirizes.
◦ Analyzes the visual and verbal elements that combine to produce meaning and effect.
◦ Identifies the elements of satire the creator uses. Refer to the list of elements above and
those listed in the slideshow.
◦ Evaluates the effectiveness of the satire. Are the cartoonist’s techniques effective? Why
or why not?
This study source was downloaded by 100000858936669 from CourseHero.com on 01-22-2023 13:55:03 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/29173464/0502-Political-Cartoon-AP-English-Language-and-Compositionpdf/
, 1956 — 1965
April 2, 1961
• areas such as cities and suburbs gained fairer representation in Congress
• box with “1 RURAL AREA VOTE = 100 CITY VOTES” written across side
• sign with “SOME ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS” written on front
May 17,1962
• government not enforcing societal acceptance of desegregation
• caption saying “I’M EIGHT. I WAS BORN ON THE DAY OF THE SUPREME COURT
DECISION.”
• school is background with sign saying “JAMES CROW PUBLIC SCHOOL”
November 1, 1962
• US teetered on the edge of nuclear disaster over the Cuban missile crisis
• trunk with “NUCLEAR WAR” written on side
• caption saying “LET’S GET A LOCK FOR THIS THING”
January 14, 1964
• newfound dangers of cigarette smoking show them to be fatal
• picture of a coffin filled with cigarettes
March 9, 1965
• government not enforcing societal acceptance of desegregation
• picture of a man wearing a “SELMA ALABAMA” uniform washing off a weapon
This study source was downloaded by 100000858936669 from CourseHero.com on 01-22-2023 13:55:03 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/29173464/0502-Political-Cartoon-AP-English-Language-and-Compositionpdf/
05.02 Political Cartoons
1. Visit Five Decades of Herblock on The Washington Post web site.
2. Select 1956–1965, and then select 1966–1975. For both selections, read the essays and view
the five political cartoons associated with each decade:
◦ Determine the issue of the respective historical moments that each of these cartoons
critiques.
◦ Note which visual elements (the actual drawing, including the layout and design)
and verbal elements (the text, including titles and captions) are combined to produce
particular meanings and effects in each cartoon.
3. Select any five political cartoons from the Herblock collection. For each of the political
cartoons you choose, write a paragraph analysis that does the following:
◦ Identifies the vice, issue, or institution that the cartoon satirizes.
◦ Analyzes the visual and verbal elements that combine to produce meaning and effect.
◦ Identifies the elements of satire the creator uses. Refer to the list of elements above and
those listed in the slideshow.
◦ Evaluates the effectiveness of the satire. Are the cartoonist’s techniques effective? Why
or why not?
This study source was downloaded by 100000858936669 from CourseHero.com on 01-22-2023 13:55:03 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/29173464/0502-Political-Cartoon-AP-English-Language-and-Compositionpdf/
, 1956 — 1965
April 2, 1961
• areas such as cities and suburbs gained fairer representation in Congress
• box with “1 RURAL AREA VOTE = 100 CITY VOTES” written across side
• sign with “SOME ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS” written on front
May 17,1962
• government not enforcing societal acceptance of desegregation
• caption saying “I’M EIGHT. I WAS BORN ON THE DAY OF THE SUPREME COURT
DECISION.”
• school is background with sign saying “JAMES CROW PUBLIC SCHOOL”
November 1, 1962
• US teetered on the edge of nuclear disaster over the Cuban missile crisis
• trunk with “NUCLEAR WAR” written on side
• caption saying “LET’S GET A LOCK FOR THIS THING”
January 14, 1964
• newfound dangers of cigarette smoking show them to be fatal
• picture of a coffin filled with cigarettes
March 9, 1965
• government not enforcing societal acceptance of desegregation
• picture of a man wearing a “SELMA ALABAMA” uniform washing off a weapon
This study source was downloaded by 100000858936669 from CourseHero.com on 01-22-2023 13:55:03 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/29173464/0502-Political-Cartoon-AP-English-Language-and-Compositionpdf/
