Editorials and Political Cartoons

Editorials

How do editorials affect human communication?

Use the slides to complete your notes.

?Deals with a current issue

?Presents facts and concerns

?Gives suggestions

?Balanced opinion—taking
both sides into account

What is an editorial?

--Often found in the local section of the newspaper
--perspective/opinion
section

--Written by editors and/or lay people (people like us)

Where do we find editorials?

--

Open Ended

Grab one of the newspapers (it doesn't have to be today's) OR go to lancasteronline.com (login). Where are the editorials (section and page number)? List a headline of an editorial that is written by the editors of the paper AND one that is written by a "lay" (normal, common) person.

? Purpose

◦ To persuade

Argument and persuasion

take a firm stand on a problem or condition
attempt to persuade reader to think same way
proposes a solution or advises a definite action

Example—Every student should have the ability to

gain privilege of leaving during flex

Types of an editorial--FOCUS

Open Ended

What is a topic that interests you for an argument/persuasion editorial?

(take a firm stand on a problem or condition
attempt to persuade reader to think same way
proposes a solution or advises a definite action)

? Purpose

◦ To persuade

Information and interpretation

attempt to explain the meaning or significance of a news event or situation

Example—editorial expressing an opinion about a

specific part of the dress code (fingertip length
shorts) focused on significance/implications the concern (tall people cannot find them)

Types of an editorial--FOCUS

Open Ended

What is a topic that interests you for an information and interpretation editorial? (attempt to explain the meaning or significance of a news event or situation)

Purpose

◦ To persuade

Tribute, appreciation, or commendation

praise a person
praise an activity

Example—L-S students’ outstanding sportsmanship

at the boys’ basketball district game that they lost

Types of an editorial--FOCUS

Open Ended

What is a topic that interests you for a tribute, appreciation, commendation editorial? (praise a person
praise an activity)

Purpose

To persuade

Editorials of Entertainment

Short, humorous treatment of light topic
Ex.  Snow delays for less than 1” of snow 

Satirical treatment of serious subject

Ex. Cameras in the school hallways-- what’s next bathrooms?

Types of an editorial--FOCUS

Open Ended

What is a topic that interests you for editorial of entertainment? (Short, humorous treatment of light topic/Satirical treatment of serious subject)

Open Ended

Turn to the editorials again. List three headlines and identify the TYPE of editorial each one is.

Topic/Problem

Situation/controversy

Position Statement

clear expression of which side of the
issue you support

Support

your position with factual information

Parts of an
editorial--CONTENT

Opposing Argument

◦ Counterpoints
◦ Editorials are only effective if they address other the side of the argument

Rebuttal

persuasive, factual proof that your position is the
right position

Call to Action

specific request for reader to take action

Parts of an editorial—CONTENT

Cont’d

Match

Use the sample editorial to identify the parts of an editorial.

• Position Statement/

  Author's Claim

• Support

• Opposing Argument

• Rebuttal

• Call to Action

An A.I. pause

The potential risks of widespread job di

In response to these risks, many in the

But most policymakers simply do not unde

By instituting an A.I. pause, we’ll have

• An A.I. pause

• The potential risks of widespread job di

• In response to these risks, many in the

• But most policymakers simply do not unde

• By instituting an A.I. pause, we’ll have

Beginning, Middle, End

Paragraph 1

◦ Problem
◦ End—position statement

Paragraph 2/paragraph 3

◦ Support (no far-fetched speculation)

Paragraph 4

Opposing viewpoint
Rebuttal
Paragraph 5—final paragraph

Call to Action

ORGANIZATION of the
editorial

Watch this video that reviews the parts of an editorial

Choose one the topics and complete the graphic organizer for an editorial--
The Robot

Political Cartoons

What is a political/editorial
cartoon?

Cartoon that:

Delivers a punch: makes a statement about
important person, event, issue

Can be considered a primary source

Shows different perspectives

Political/editorial cartoons

Exaggeration and Distortion--Exaggeration is to emphasize; distortion is making features bigger or smaller to make a point

Political/editorial cartoons

​​Allusion-making a reference to a famous piece of literature, person, event, etc.

Political/editorial cartoons

Literary device/
technique

Labeling

​Cartoonists often label objects or people to make it clear exactly what they stand for. Watch out for the different labels that appear in a cartoon, and ask yourself why the cartoonist chose to label that particular person or object.

Political/editorial cartoons

Literary
Device/Technique:

Irony

the difference between the ways things are and the way things should be, or the way things are expected to be. Cartoonists often use irony to express their opinion on an issue.

Political/editorial cartoons

Literary
Device/Technique:
Symbolism
Metaphors
Analogy--
a comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.

Political/editorial cartoons

Literary
Device/Technique:
Stereotypes

​symbolize complex ideas that are quickly and easily interpreted by readers

Political/editorial cartoons

Often use the
drawing technique
of caricature, which
is a picture,
description, or
imitation of a person
in which certain
striking
characteristics are
exaggerated in order
to create a comic or
grotesque effect.

Open Ended

Describe 2 literary techniques that are used in this political cartoon.

Labelling

Label the literary devices used in this cartoon.

Drag labels to their correct position on the image

symbolism

metaphor

stereotype

analogy

irony

exaggeration

labeling

allusion

Open Ended

Explain the claim that this political cartoon makes.

Political/editorial cartoons

demonstrates a

clear
understanding
of a
current issue,
political topic
or
historical
event.

Political/editorial cartoons

provides
insightful
commentary
or criticism
about a current
issue, political
topic or
historical event

Open Ended

Explain the claim that this political cartoon is making?

Political/editorial cartoons

effectively uses one
or more illustrations,
with or without text,
to make its point,
prompt a realization
or offer an example.

demonstrates
originality in ideas
and techniques

Complete the graphic organizer for a political cartoon