# of slides ______grade ______name / class time
Grading Criteria and Guidelines for Collecting and Analyzing Political Cartoons for the Government Term Project
If you are collecting political cartoons for your projects, you MUST consider the questions below as part of the analytical effort. The Project needs to be a complete effort, not just random cartoons thrown together!! You may organize them around a common set of themes or have a variety of topics. Be creative!!
The length is up to you; it is a JUDGMENT call for you to determine what effort you expend for 20% of your grade as a semester project. However, it is expected that there will be 35-55 slides. Typically, a term paper takes 6-8 hours to research, compile, and prepare; so this project is expected to take a comparable amount of time. Do NOT underestimate the amount of time required. Minimum effort receives a minimum grade.
Acquiring the cartoon: Copy the cartoon from the website by right clicking it, then move to the Ppt. frame and paste it into place. Re-size it and format in Power Point as you wish for a quality, professional presentation. Do NOT stretch the images or distort them unnecessarily. No one likes their photo stretched. You have many choices, so choose cartoons with themes that you are interested in, that you understand, and that you care about. Do NOT choose cartoons that you do not understand or that have words you do not know!! Do NOT confuse funnies/COMICS/jokes with political cartoons, which are found on the editorial page!! Funnies/Comics are not political in nature and are not appropriate unless you link the topic to a political issue. Example: Food or weather are not political issues unless you mention global warming or food safety, nutrition, cost, etc. and an appropriate role of government to regulate or improve the situation.
______Power Point Project Format: Do not put the cartoon image and the text on separate slides!! Position them side-by-side so the viewer can look at the cartoon and read the text at the same time. Position the text box with your comments next to the cartoon for easy reference. Be careful not to overlap the textbox with the cartoon so it is difficult to read or run it off the frame.
______Design Templates: A design template is a uniform base color and graphic theme provided by Microsoft as part of a PowerPoint shell. It can enhance the continuity of the presentation OR they can obstruct the content and distract from it. Be tasteful and professional. Often simple is best, though certainly do not be boring. I do not use templates, because often the uniformity becomes monotonous and boring. Your purpose is to stimulate the Viewers interest and keep it throughout the presentation.
______Fonts: Be careful using italic, specialty, or novelty fonts because they are usually not installed on other computers. When the file is re-opened on another PC, they cannot display so garbage results. Choose fonts that are visually strong and easy to read. Avoid scripts and ornamental fonts. Do NOT overlay text on photos that make the text unreadable. Your purpose is effective communication and TEACHING, so it must be legible.
______Animation: Be VERY careful using animation [i.e. do not use it] and dramatic slide transition between slides because it can be time consuming for you to create, annoying to the viewer, and distracting from your analysis, which is the most important part. Pre-set timing and animation are usually too slow or too fast; and difficult to override by the Viewer. The Viewer is not a hostage for your ‘magic show’ to dazzle with special visual effects, sound, and chaotic movement. Please do NOT do this and points will be deducted if you do. These are gimmicks, so focus on the content and your analysis. ______Headings and titles on the slides will give the presentation structure and organization, especially when the theme changes. Use a divider slide to further information about the topic.
______Title Slide Give it an imaginative and descriptive title, your name, date, course, class time, etc. Save the file as your name and class time. On the due date, bring the file to class on a flash drive to copy to the Instructor's flash. DE classes should upload and submit through the assignments window. Do not email it.
______Table of Contents / Themes of the Collection of Cartoons / List of Artists. This will help you organize the project and make sure you have met all the requirements; and it helps me understand its structure. It does not have to be detailed.
______Introductory Narrative This is a necessity and points will be deducted if it is not included. Use complete sentences and write in paragraphs. What is the purpose of the Project, your philosophy, and is there a goal or theme? What are your observations on the topics, and why did you choose this over a paper? This is your approach to defining the problem /situation, communicating it to the viewer, and finding solutions jointly with the cartoonists.
Max Beauregard, Houston Community College Govt 2305 & 2306
______This is a substitute project for WRITING, so you must demonstrate competent, college writing skill. You must use COMPLETE SENTENCES and short paragraphs for each group of ideas and separate them with line spaces. You MUST observe proper grammar, spelling, verb tense, capitalization, punctuation, and all rules of English in your commentary!! Do NOT use slang, clichés, abbreviations, or vulgarity. No BULLETS!!. Do NOT use slang, clichés, abbreviations, or vulgarity.
Learn about the cartoonists / journalists and their role in the community: The job of a journalist (whether electronic, print, or radio) is to be a “watchdog,” investigate, research, and expose the activities of government to the taxpayers. Usually this involves corruption, fraud, misuse of public money, or inappropriate behavior. A cartoonist has the special position and power to communicate in a concise, graphical way; and often with humor. His job is to bring awareness of a situation and provoke discussion (possibly outrage) amongst the citizens to arouse their participation; and increase their involvement in the political process. Watch some of the video interviews of selected artists posted online. ______Pick several artists that you like (minimum 3) from the list at then end of this assignment (or any others you find). Purpose of the project is to get you to read a newspaper and become more aware of controversial issues satirized by cartoonists. Do NOT choose all or the majority of your material from a single source or cartoonist!! ______Pick a variety of local, state, and national issues to broaden your realm and understanding of the problems facing the country and the approach used by journalists to support or criticize public policy. Choose issues relevant to class that can expand your knowledge of these issues and the people or government agenices involved! ______Give a short profile or biography for each artist you choose, especially the newspaper they draw for. Is there anything significant, famous, or powerful about their publisher and their ability to influence large groups of people? What kind of background do cartoonists have and how much money do they make? Is this a job you would want? ______Describe what is a Pulitzer Prize and why is it prestigious? Cartooning is a form of journalism, but it has its own critics and recognition awards for outstanding quality. ______Explore the cartoon as ART. Some drawings are black & white and very detailed like a fine arts etching (Ben Sargent), while others are more childish and cartoon-like. Mike Thompson uses both day-glo colors and muted neutrals so to create contrast and a dynamic focus for his art. What do you like and why have you chosen this cartoonist? Make a sketch of your own of an issue if you have artistic talent, or if you can draw, include some of your own original work. ______Feel free to interview or ask your favorite cartoonist some questions. Either phone or email for an appointment. Cartoonists are celebrities like any other famous person and they love their fans! With so much communication done by email, people are often eager to talk and interact personally, especially ‘old school’ professionals who are used to using the phone. The phone is your most powerful tool to get immediate information directly from the source.
______Include a few slides to discuss the importance of cartooning as an expression FREE SPEECH and the threat imposed to the world by the 2015 terrorist attacks on the newspaper CHARLIE HEBDO in Paris and that have become common place around the world.
______Your analysis. What are the cartoonists trying to say other than the obvious? Read between the lines of the actual images or captions of the cartoon and explain their purpose!! Your analysis is the heart of the project. Analysis means discussing the who, what, where, when, why, and how that make the cartoon an issue. Draw parallels between topics of the class and the cartoons. “Connect the dots” between issues in class to the outside world. Why is this topic worthy of satire and WHY are they so critical of political issues? Are cartoonists fair with their judgment of the President or other topics? Is the bias consistent with the position of the newspaper or the community?
______Give YOUR thoughts and ideas on these issues!! What do YOU think about the issue and the cartoonist’s opinion? Do you agree with the cartoon and what is your opinion? How does this issue affect you and your family? The cartoon collections and analysis should be a reflection of your ideas and values. Most cartoonists are critical of all aspects of government and most are liberal; however, there are conservative websites and cartoonists, so find someone that reflects YOUR ideas and values, BUT explain why you believe this way! Will the readers agree with the cartoon? Cartoonists are helping to sell the newspaper. Does their opinion jeopardize sales?
______Overall professionalism, ease at viewing, communicating YOUR ideas, and comprehending the material.
______Conclusion This is a necessity and points will be deducted if it is not included. “Connect the dots” and draw parallels between topics you have learned in class, current events, and the cartoons. What have you learned and what is the future? How are cartoons useful in communicating sensitive, controversial, or delicate issues about the community, issue, or a person? How has the cartoonist influenced you and society as a whole to become more involved or motivated to educate others? Will you continue to read cartoons after this Project? What changes or additional action is needed?
______Sources General sources or weblinks for your collection, especially the newspaper where the cartoonist draws. Additional comments: Max Beauregard, Houston Community College Govt 2305 & 2306
Example cartoonists and recommendations:
Other sites with a variety of US and global cartoonists are: http://Cagle.com/ note tabs on left that have many other cartoonists and topics. Some times Cagle wants a subscription, but there are ways around it. Do not pay!! www.GoComics.com
Find other publications or Google other cartoonists with a particular bias or specialized cartoons on your own! Other famous, fun, recommended cartoonists: Ben Sargent, Austin Statesman, has very detailed, realistic drawings; mostly black & white: http://www.statesman.com/opinion/sargent/ Horsey of Seattle http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/topoftheticket/ Pat Oliphant / Washington Post http://www.uclick.com/client/wpc/po Mike Thompson, Detroit Free Press: dramatic use of bright pastel colors and day-glo colors Amazing use of color. http://www.gocomics.com/mikethompson/
Additional Sources for Cartoonists: This week I will go over the assignment. Meanwhile, familiarize yourselves with the major sites below and sources. Pick a variety of artists (minimum 3) AND issues addressing local, state, and national topics. Follow the instructions on the Grading Sheet. There are literally hundreds of cartoonists (US plus international) and thousands of cartoons to choose from. World newspapers: http://www.politicalcartoons.com/gallery.aspx?cmd=4&mode=Advanced&from=1%2f1%2f2000&to=6%2f6%2f2013&type=0&lang=1&zone= 2&pg=1&ps=60
Some cartoonists are very partisan (opinionated and biased) and present one perspective, but most are non-partisan and address the issues as they present themselves. Political party affiliation is noted below when there is a bias. Explore both philosophies to get a balanced approach to your collection. Your analysis should include a discussion of the FACTS and perspective we have learned from the lessons and the speeches. Your analysis is to “connect the dots” between the cartoonists, class discussion, debates, and conventions.
1. Nick Anderson of the Houston Chronicle is about the only source for local/Houston issues. He is renowned, very prolific, and dynamic. His cartoons are sorted by each day, calendar archives, and by topics, if you are looking for a specific issue. Do NOT choose all of your cartoons from a single artist. The site changes often, so explore on your own! Nick Anderson of the Chronicle has both local cartoons and state issues. Anderson is now a pay site, so use Google to find his work elsewhere. http://www.chron.com/opinion/editorials/gallery/2013-The-Year-in-Review-75998.php?cmpid=hpfc
2. Texas on the Potomac is the Chronicle’s Online blog for Texas politics and they have a cartoon of the week. This site has a variety of artists and their posts for each week. http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/category/political-cartoons-of-the-week/
3. Cagle Cartoons, is a site with many national and international political cartoonists. You can register yourself to get their daily email. Index of artists is on the left, including international artists. http://www.cagle.com/
4. Go Comics have comics and political cartoons from many artists. Do not use comics! All sites have archives for historical posts and a daily 'most popular'. Use the little calendar to navigate to more cartoons from previous dates or to a specific date. http://www.gocomics.com/explore/editorials 5. CONSERVATIVE: Townhall Magazine List of Artists at bottom: http://townhall.com/political-cartoons/ https://www.facebook.com/ConservativeCartoonsDaily
6. LIBERAL: http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/bl-liberal-cartoons.htm http://www.cagle.com/topics/government/politics-government/liberal/
There is plenty of material and this can be a very educational and fun experience, but do NOT under estimate the amount is my take to search, collect, analyze, and prepare !!
Max Beauregard, Houston Community College Govt 2305 & 2306