Evaluating Differing Opinions in Political Cartoons
Overview
The purpose of this activity is to facilitate students’ higher-order thinking skills through the analysis of issues presented in political cartoons. Students will identify sources of information about current issues. They will analyze three political cartoons related to the women’s suffrage movement, discussing the techniques cartoonists use to advocate through this medium and determining the cartoonists’ stands on the issue. Students will then examine contemporary political cartoons, formulate opinions about the issues addressed in the cartoons, and conduct research to get more information about the issues to confirm or modify their initial opinions.
Objectives
After completing this learning activity, students will be able to:
- Explain ways that people can become informed before developing views about issues and institutions
- Identify artistic and persuasive techniques used in political cartoons
- Analyze issues addressed in political cartoons
- Use research evidence to formulate an opinion on an issue expressed in a political cartoon
Time Required
Two class periods
Recommended Grade Range
8-12
Topic/s
Woman Suffrage ~ Scrapbooks ~ 1897-1911
Political Cartoons—various collections
Subject/ Sub-Subject
Social Studies: Civics
Life Skills: Thinking and Reasoning
Language Arts: Writing, Viewing
Standards
McREL 4th Edition Standards and Benchmarks
Civics
Standard 29. Understands the importance of political leadership, public service, and a knowledgeable citizenry in American constitutional democracy.
Life Skills: Thinking and Reasoning
Standard 1. Understands and applies the basic principles of presenting an argument.
Standard 2. Understands and applies basic principles of logic and reasoning.
Language Arts: Writing
Standard 4. Gathers and uses information for research purposes.
Language Arts: Viewing
Standard 9. Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret visual media.
Credits
Center on Congress at Indiana University Teaching with Primary Sources Staff
Download this Learning Activity
Download the Adobe Acrobat Reader
to view PDF documents.