Political Cartoon Analysis

In 5th grade history class, we are comparing the American Revolution to the Egyptian Revolution and learning about political cartoons. You can read Veronica's analysis of a political cartoon below. 

Political Cartoon Analysis Questions

By Veronica

1.     Describe the mood of the cartoon.

The mood of the cartoon is fear of the officials from the new “weapons” (social media) of the protesters.

2.     What techniques or devices does the artist use? Caricature? Symbolism? Ridicule? Puns?

The artist is taking a well known social media website, Twitter, that was used by protester to bring down Mubarak and the repression of police officers and making it look like an innocent bird scaring an officer. This is funny because the protesters biggest weapon was Facebook and Twitter.

3.     What issue or event does the cartoon deal with?

The issue that the cartoon deals with is the police officer is trying to repress the revolution, but because of social media, more people keep hearing about the revolution and joining in.

4.     Describe the action that is taking place.

The police officer is trying to kill the bird, or is trying to kill twitter and the revolution, but the bird has more power and is winning.

5.     What is the purpose of the cartoon? What is its message? Is it effective?

The purpose of the cartoon is to show people that because of new technology there are now new non- violent ways of protesting and beating repression. This cartoon is effective because it shows the power of Twitter and Facebook.

6.     Who is the intended audience?

The intended audience is people interested in the Egyptian Revolution, and how social media beat Mubarak.

7.     Whose viewpoint does it represent?

It represents the protesters viewpoint, because Twitter is winning and is powerful. The protester used Twitter knowing that it was powerful.

8.     What groups would agree/disagree with the cartoon's message? Why?

People who are against technology, Twitter, and Facebook and people who wanted to repress the revolution because, the officer who is trying to beat the bird is losing, so people on the police’s side would disagree because they want the police to win.

News Comparison Analysis

As part of the digital and media literacy unit for 7th grade English class, we are analyzing the same news story as reported by four different newspapers/blogs. You can read the assignment below. 

News Article Comparison

You will compare the same news story in four different publications: The NY Times blog, The Washington Post, Huffington Post, and a UK publication.

Topic:

Mark Zuckerberg gets married

Answer this: 1. Is this news? Why? Why is this story relevant?

Next: Read the following articles:

a. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/post/mark-zuckerberg-and-priscilla-chan-how-they-pulled-off-their-surprise-wedding/2012/05/20/gIQAQVK1dU_blog.html 

b. NY Times

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/19/mark-zuckerberg-ties-the-knot/?ref=style

c. Uk Newspaper

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/second-best-day-of-his-life-mark-zuckerberg-surprises-friends-with-secret-wedding-7769678.html

d. Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/22/the-curious-timing-of-mar_n_1535698.html

2. In the chart below, summarize each article in detail. Do they cover different content?

NY Times	Washington Post	Huff Post	The Independent UK

3. WHY do they cover different content? How is the slant or bias of each news source conveyed in the article? Write your answer in paragraph form addressing each news source.

4. Do you detect any of these types of bias?

▪   Advertising bias, when stories are selected or slanted to please advertisers.

▪   Corporate bias, when stories are selected or slanted to please corporate owners of media.

▪   Mainstream bias, a tendency to report what everyone else is reporting, and to avoid stories that will offend anyone.

Sensationalism, bias in favor of the exceptional over the ordinary, giving the impression that rare events, such as airplane crashes, are more common than common events, such as automobile crashes.

categories from wiki.

Advertising Analysis

Jessica is working on media and literacy analysis. She analyzed the following ad for her ad analysis essay. Proctor and Gamble made this commercial for its products, which support the London Olympics, just in time for Mother's Day. It will almost make you cry.


"The Best Job in the World"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NScs_qX2Okk


Stay tuned for Jessica's ad analysis essay later this week.

Keeping up with Current Events!

Veronica read an article about pollutants' effects on baby sea otters from the Time for Kids Website. Check out the article here: http://www.timeforkids.com/news/making-waves/37011

Look at this Current Events Graphic Organizer

Introduce article (including title, author, date of edition) Include link if downloaded from Internet	Making Waves by Vicky An April 23, 2012 Time for Kids http://www.timeforkids.com/news/making-waves/37011
Why was this article interesting or relevant (1-2 sentences)	1. This article is about how we need to be aware of the pollutants we are putting in the water. 2. This is relevant, because in science class we are learning about the Dead Zone and how the fertilizers kill and injure animals.
Summary of the Article (at least 4 sentences)	1. Monterey Bay Aquarium is taking care of 501 until he is fully healed. 2. They are making a movie about 501 including how he was injured and how we can prevent this. 3. Katie Pofahl is another star in the movie, she is the one who found 501. 4. This article is also saying that we need to be careful of what we put in the water.
Recommend: Tell why a friend should read it. 4 sentences	1. This article is very interesting because it inspires you to help stop pollution because it is hurting animals. 2. They should also read this so that they know about the new movie, Otter 501 so they can go see it. 3. This article as Katie says is also saying to readers that you can be a scientist no matter what gender or age you are. 4. I would recommend this to a friend, to spread awareness of fertilizers we are putting in the water.
Include a  quote from the article in the summary or recommendation paragraph which adds 1-2 sentences	This article is about an otter who was rescued on the beach of Big Sur CA. They are going to make a movie about the hardships in his life. “We have an amazing opportunity to help people be aware of how they impact the world.” –Pofahl
Conclude by stating the questions you have AND what you would like to read more about in the future relating to this topic.	What will happen to 501 when he is healthy again? When will the movie come out? How old is 501? How old was he when the biologists found him? I would like to know more about all the pollutants we are putting in our ocean.