Student Handout

LESSON PLAN

“Introduction to Interpreting Contemporary Editorial Cartoons”

Based on the virtual exhibition

“Where to draw the line?

Editorial Cartoons in Québec, 1950-2000”

LEARNING TO DECODE CARTOONS

Expected production:

  • decode two cartoons connected to the language debates from among the dozen suggested,[1] using if possible one cartoon from the French-language media and one from the English-language media;
  • and compare the points of view expressed in these cartoons.

Related resources:

  • the text “Language Conflict in Québec ;”[2]
  • the text “Six Editorial Cartoonists and Some Favorite Subjects.”[3]

Note some of their main components, based on the following grid:

INTERPRETATION GRID FOR AN EDITORIAL CARTOON

Note the data for the cartoon:

  • Cartoon title:
  • Author:
  • Media-newspaper (if known):
  • Date of first publication and page # (if known):
  • Accession number (identifying number in the McCord Museum collection):

Describe the cartoon:

The “WHAT” or the SHAPE-FUNCTION key

  • What words are used in the cartoon?
  • Find definitions for any unusual words or expressions.
  • If there is a dialogue, what does each cartoon say?
  • What is happening?
  • Are visual elements, signs or symbols being used?
  • What rhetorical device does the cartoonist use? (examples: opposition, combination, condensation, domestication)

Document thecartoon:

The “WHO” or the PEOPLE key

  • Who is depicted in the cartoon? What do we know about these people?
  • What are the characters’ physical gestures and facial expressions?
  • Are characters stereotyped?
  • Are these characters symbolic?

The “WHERE” or the PLACE key

  • In what situation are the characters placed?
  • Is the illustrator using analogy (by comparing one situation to another)?

The “WHEN” or the TIME key

  • What historical event or fact does the cartoon depict?
  • Are these people or these issues still important today?
  • Can you associate this news event with a similar event in the recent history of Québec?

Interpret the cartoon

The “WHY” or the MEANING key:

  • In a few words, what message is this cartoon trying to send?
  • Can the point of view or values (political, religious, regional, ethnic, economic, etc.) of the cartoonist be identified?
  • What does the cartoon teach us about the historical context of the period or the treatment of a present-day issue?

Produce, as the final assignment, a visual and written presentation to be saved on the McCord Web site that presents your interpretation of the targeted cartoons.

  • You must first create your MyMcCord account on the McCord Web site, by going on the page “MyMcCord”, and clicking on “Sign Up.”[4]
  • Then you will be able to select images and display them to create a folder. You will save this folder on the McCord Web site and be able to access it at any time. You can arrange the images in a specific order and enter text to write up your assignment. For technical assistance, consult the page “Your images folders,” in the EduWeb.[5]

1

Lesson plan using the virtual exhibition “Editorial Cartoons in Québec”

McCord Museum, EduWeb, March 2009

[1]

[2] , choose “Language Conflict in Québec.”

[3]

[4]

[5]