In this lesson, you will discover how editorial cartoons mix pictures, words, and humor to express opinions about real issues. These cartoons appear in newspapers, magazines, and online posts, and they use satire, exaggeration, and symbols to send a clear message in one frame. You will learn to look closely at the details, link them to current events, and infer the cartoonist’s point of view. By the end, you will start reading editorial cartoons not just as drawings but as powerful texts that can influence what people think and feel.
🎯 Learning Goals
By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
- Define what an editorial cartoon is and tell how it differs from a regular comic strip.
- Identify basic features of an editorial cartoon, such as characters, setting, text, symbols, and exaggeration.
- Explain in simple terms how satire and humor help a cartoonist share opinions about real-life issues.
🧩 Key Ideas & Terms
- Editorial cartoon – A drawing that comments on current issues or events, usually with humor or criticism.
- Satire – A way of criticizing people, events, or ideas using humor, irony, or exaggeration.
- Caricature – A drawing that exaggerates a person’s appearance or behavior for comic or critical effect.
- Symbol – An object, character, or sign that stands for a larger idea (for example, a dove for peace).
- Caption – The sentence or short paragraph below a cartoon that explains or comments on the picture.
- Speech balloon – A bubble that shows what a character is saying in a cartoon.
- Issue – A topic or problem that people talk or argue about in society.
- Point of view – The cartoonist’s opinion or stand on the issue shown in the cartoon.
🔄 Quick Recall / Prior Knowledge
Activate what you already know about pictures, stories, and opinions before diving into editorial cartoons.
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Think of a comic strip or meme you liked recently. What made it funny or interesting?
Show Answer
Possible answers: It had exaggerated faces, a surprising ending, a relatable situation, or a witty line. These same techniques are often used in editorial cartoons. -
Recall a news story or community issue that people around you talked about a lot. What was it about?
Show Answer
Answers will vary: school opening, traffic, environment, elections, prices, online behavior, etc. These topics are often turned into editorial cartoons. -
When you see a picture in the news, where do your eyes look first: the headline, the image, or the caption? Why?
Show Answer
Sample answer: Many students look at the image first because it is colorful and quick to understand. This is why editorial cartoons are powerful—they catch attention even before the text. -
How do you usually show your opinion about an issue—through talking, posting online, drawing, or something else?
Show Answer
Answers will vary. Connect these ideas to the idea that cartoonists use drawings as their way to express opinions publicly.
📖 Explore the Lesson
Checkpoint 1 – What Exactly Is an Editorial Cartoon?
Mini-goal: Understand what makes a cartoon “editorial” and not just a simple joke or comic strip.
When you hear the word cartoon, you might first imagine a funny TV show or a comic strip about everyday life. Those cartoons are usually created to entertain. An editorial cartoon is different. It is a drawing that expresses an opinion about something real that is happening in society. It appears in editorial sections of newspapers, in magazines, and on news websites, often beside written editorials or opinion articles. Instead of many frames and long dialogues, an editorial cartoon usually has only one frame with a powerful image and a few well-chosen words.
Editorial cartoons still use humor—but the humor has a purpose. The cartoonist wants you to laugh and think at the same time. The cartoon might show a leader as a child, a giant, or a clown to make a point about how that person behaves. It may place familiar characters in an unusual situation to highlight a problem. In one quick look, the reader understands not just the news event, but also how the cartoonist feels about it.
These cartoons are a form of argument. Instead of using long paragraphs, they argue with drawings. They can support a new rule, criticize a policy, or warn people about the effects of certain actions. As readers, we must remember that editorial cartoons show a particular point of view. They are not neutral; they are designed to persuade.
Real-life tie-in: Think about how fast people scroll through social media. A long article might be skipped, but a striking image with strong emotion can easily catch attention. Editorial cartoons use this same visual power, but they are grounded in news and issues that affect communities.
Mini-summary: Editorial cartoons are single-frame drawings that comment on real issues using humor and opinion. They are short but powerful arguments drawn instead of written.
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How is an editorial cartoon different from a regular comic strip?
Show Answer
An editorial cartoon focuses on real issues and expresses an opinion in one frame, while a regular comic strip usually tells a fictional or light story mainly for entertainment. -
Why do you think editorial cartoons use very few words?
Show Answer
Few words allow readers to understand the message quickly, keep the focus on the image, and make the cartoon easy to remember and share. -
In what way can an editorial cartoon be considered a kind of argument?
Show Answer
It takes a stand on an issue and tries to persuade the reader through images and short text, just as an argument uses reasons and evidence.
Checkpoint 2 – Parts of an Editorial Cartoon
Mini-goal: Recognize the basic parts of an editorial cartoon and what they do.
Even though editorial cartoons look simple, each part of the drawing has a job. The characters are the people, animals, or objects that carry the message. They may be real public figures, such as leaders or celebrities, or they may be invented characters representing ordinary citizens. The setting is the place and time hinted at by background details: a classroom, government office, hospital, online chat box, or even a fantasy world. The setting helps you guess which issue is being discussed.
You will also see text elements. These include captions, which are short lines under the cartoon that guide your interpretation, and speech balloons, which show what characters are saying. Sometimes labels appear on objects or people—such as “Budget,” “Student,” or “Internet”—to make their roles clear. Editorial cartoons rarely waste words; each label or line is chosen carefully to support the message.
Finally, many cartoons contain symbols and caricatures. Symbols stand for ideas bigger than themselves: a light bulb for an idea, a scale for justice, a chain for oppression, a mask for hiding the truth. Caricature exaggerates a person’s physical features or habits to make them easier to recognize or to criticize them gently. For example, a lazy person might be drawn half-asleep, with heavy eyes and slouched posture.
Real-life tie-in: When you browse stickers and emojis on your phone, you also use symbols to represent feelings and ideas. Editorial cartoonists do something similar, but they plan every symbol to match an issue or opinion.
Mini-summary: An editorial cartoon is made up of characters, setting, text, and visual devices like symbols and caricatures. Each part works together to build a clear message about an issue.
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What is the purpose of labels in editorial cartoons?
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Labels help readers quickly identify who or what a character or object represents, making the message clearer. -
How do caricatures help a cartoonist communicate an idea?
Show Answer
By exaggerating features or behaviors, caricatures highlight a person’s traits or actions, making criticism or humor easier to see. -
Give one example of an everyday symbol you might find in a cartoon and explain what it could mean.
Show Answer
Example: A broken clock might symbolize a system that no longer works; a locked door might stand for lack of access or opportunity.
Checkpoint 3 – Satire, Humor, and Exaggeration
Mini-goal: Understand how satire and exaggeration give editorial cartoons their “bite.”
Editorial cartoons do more than show a situation; they often poke fun at it. This is where satire comes in. Satire uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to point out what is wrong or foolish in people’s actions or in society. The cartoonist wants readers to laugh a little, but also to feel that something needs to change. For example, a cartoon showing a student carrying a mountain of books labeled “requirements” might be joking about how heavy school demands are—but it also suggests that the load may be too much.
Exaggeration is one of the main tools of satire. The cartoonist might draw a politician with an extremely long nose to hint at dishonesty, or show a tiny character pushing a huge wall labeled “problems” to highlight how difficult their situation is. The exaggeration is not meant to be realistic; it is meant to emphasize a point. Irony appears when the opposite of what we expect happens in the cartoon—for example, a sign saying “Quiet Zone” placed in the middle of a noisy crowd.
As readers, we must be careful not to take exaggeration literally. A cartoon of a student drowning in homework does not mean the student is actually underwater. Instead, it represents a feeling of being overwhelmed. Learning to read satire means understanding that “more than real” images are used to show “more than usual” feelings and opinions.
Real-life tie-in: You may have watched comedy skits that make fun of common problems—traffic, classroom rules, or online habits. Even though you laugh, you might also say, “That is so true.” Editorial cartoons give this same reaction, but in one image.
Mini-summary: Satire in editorial cartoons relies on humor, exaggeration, and irony to criticize or highlight problems. The cartoons are not literal, but they point to very real issues and emotions.
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Why do cartoonists exaggerate features or situations in their drawings?
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To make the message stronger and more noticeable, and to show criticism or emotion in a clear, memorable way. -
How is the feeling of a student “drowning in homework” both exaggerated and true?
Show Answer
No one is really underwater, but the image expresses the real feeling of being overwhelmed by too many tasks. -
Think of an everyday problem in your school. How might a cartoonist exaggerate it to create satire?
Show Answer
Answers will vary: for slow Wi-Fi, a computer with cobwebs; for long lines, students growing roots while waiting; for noise, a classroom turning into a rock concert, etc.
Checkpoint 4 – Editorial Cartoons as Visual Arguments
Mini-goal: See how editorial cartoons make a claim and support it through visual details.
Behind every editorial cartoon is a simple question: What is the cartoonist trying to say? The answer is the cartoon’s claim or main point of view. This claim might be that a new policy is unfair, that people should care more about the environment, or that a certain behavior is harmful. Unlike an essay, the cartoon does not list reasons in sentences. Instead, it uses images and short text as “visual reasons.”
For example, if the cartoonist believes that students are overloaded, they might draw many students bent under giant backpacks labeled “projects,” “modules,” and “deadlines.” Each label acts as a piece of evidence supporting the claim that demands are heavy. The expressions on the students’ faces and the overall scene of struggle strengthen the message. Sometimes a caption delivers a final punch line that clearly reveals the cartoonist’s attitude—serious, sarcastic, hopeful, or angry.
Readers must pay close attention to these details to interpret the argument correctly. It is helpful to ask: What issue is shown? What is exaggerated or repeated? Who looks powerful and who looks powerless? Which words or labels are used, and what feelings do they suggest? Different readers may interpret cartoons slightly differently, but most will agree on the basic point if the cartoon is clear.
Real-life tie-in: When you share a photo with a caption on social media, you also make a mini-argument. The angle, filter, and words you choose show what you want others to notice and feel. Editorial cartoonists are like experienced “visual arguers” who do this professionally.
Mini-summary: Editorial cartoons communicate claims about issues using images, labels, and brief text as visual evidence. Careful readers examine each detail to understand the cartoonist’s argument and attitude.
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What questions can you ask yourself when trying to find the claim of an editorial cartoon?
Show Answer
Questions like: What issue is shown? Who looks good or bad? What is exaggerated? What do the labels and caption say? How do the characters feel? -
How can labels on objects serve as “evidence” in a cartoon?
Show Answer
They identify specific problems or ideas (for example, “Traffic,” “Slow Internet,” “High Prices”), making the cartoon’s point about those issues very clear. -
Why might two readers interpret the same editorial cartoon in slightly different ways?
Show Answer
Readers bring their own experiences, beliefs, and knowledge of the issue, so they may focus on different details or feel differently about the message.
Checkpoint 5 – Connecting Editorial Cartoons to Real Issues
Mini-goal: Link the ideas in editorial cartoons to news events and issues in your community.
Editorial cartoons do not appear randomly; they are tied to specific events or ongoing issues. To understand them well, readers need at least basic knowledge of what is happening in their community, country, or the world. This connection to real life is what makes editorial cartoons both exciting and challenging to read. A cartoon about environmental problems might show a river full of trash shaped like gadgets and wrappers. To grasp the message, you must connect the image to real reports about pollution.
Sometimes the issue is national or global—such as elections, climate change, or health crises. At other times it is local—traffic in your town, classroom rules, or Internet use among teenagers. Cartoonists choose topics that affect many people so readers will care. They also rely on shared cultural knowledge. For example, a cartoon about honesty might use a character whose nose grows when they lie, a symbol many viewers will recognize from stories they know.
As a student, you can prepare for reading editorial cartoons by staying informed in age-appropriate ways. This could mean listening to news summaries, reading school-approved articles, or simply observing discussions at home. You do not need to know every detail, but a general understanding of issues helps you catch the cartoon’s deeper meaning instead of just seeing a funny drawing.
Real-life tie-in: When a major event happens, memes and jokes quickly appear online. Editorial cartoons are similar, but they are created responsibly by artists who think carefully about the issue and their message. Learning to read them helps you become a more informed and critical citizen.
Mini-summary: Editorial cartoons are powerful because they connect directly to real issues in society. Knowing the context of these issues helps you move beyond the joke and understand the cartoon’s full message.
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Why is it helpful to know current events when interpreting editorial cartoons?
Show Answer
Because many symbols, labels, and situations refer to recent news; without context, the cartoon’s point may be confusing or misunderstood. -
Give one example of a local issue in your community that you think could become a topic for an editorial cartoon.
Show Answer
Answers will vary: flooding, road repairs, garbage disposal, school facilities, online class challenges, etc. -
How can reading editorial cartoons help you become a more active and informed citizen?
Show Answer
They encourage you to think about issues, notice different opinions, question what is happening, and discuss ideas with others instead of just accepting everything you hear.
Checkpoint 6 – You as a Reader of Editorial Cartoons
Mini-goal: Reflect on your role as an active, critical reader of editorial cartoons.
By now you have seen that editorial cartoons are not just decorations in a newspaper; they are texts that expect you to think. As a reader, your job is to slow down and ask questions. You do not have to agree with the cartoonist’s opinion, but you should try to understand it. Once you see the point of view, you can decide whether you support it, partly agree, or disagree and why. This practice trains you to respond thoughtfully to all kinds of messages in media.
Being a good reader also means being responsible. Some cartoons may use strong images or harsh humor. When you share them, you influence how other people think and feel. Before reposting or reacting, it helps to ask: Is this fair? Is it based on facts? Does it respect people’s dignity? Learning to evaluate editorial cartoons prepares you to handle online content more wisely.
Finally, remember that you are also capable of creating your own messages. Even if you think you “cannot draw,” you can practice simple stick figures, labels, and symbols to express a stand on an issue. In later lessons, you will design your own editorial cartoon. Today’s task is to observe carefully, notice the parts of cartoons, and build confidence as a reader of visual opinions.
Real-life tie-in: Every day you are surrounded by images—ads, memes, posters, and videos. Training yourself to read editorial cartoons critically helps you handle all of these more wisely, because you get used to asking what the hidden message and point of view are.
Mini-summary: As a reader, you do not simply laugh at editorial cartoons; you analyze their message, decide what you think about it, and act responsibly when sharing or responding.
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Why is it important to understand a cartoonist’s point of view even if you disagree with it?
Show Answer
Understanding helps you respond with clear reasons, respect other opinions, and avoid reacting based only on emotion or guesswork. -
What questions can you ask yourself before sharing an editorial cartoon online?
Show Answer
Questions like: Is this fair and respectful? Is it based on real information? Could it hurt or mislead someone? Do I really agree with its message? -
How can practicing with editorial cartoons improve your reading and thinking in other school subjects?
Show Answer
It trains you to look for main ideas, evidence, and bias; these skills also help when reading stories, articles, graphs, and even textbooks.
💡 Example in Action
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Example 1 – Comparing Cartoon and Comic Strip
You see a funny comic strip about two friends arguing over snacks, and beside it an editorial cartoon criticizing food prices. How can you quickly tell which one is the editorial cartoon?Show Answer
The editorial cartoon connects to a real issue (food prices), likely has one frame, includes symbols or labels like “High Prices,” and clearly expresses an opinion, while the comic strip mainly tells a humorous story about fictional characters. -
Example 2 – Spotting Symbols
A cartoon shows a student trying to climb a ladder made of test papers, with clouds labeled “Dream School” at the top. What might the ladder and clouds symbolize?Show Answer
The ladder of test papers symbolizes the need to pass many exams in order to reach goals, while the clouds labeled “Dream School” symbolize the student’s hopes for a better future. -
Example 3 – Reading Satire
In another cartoon, a phone is drawn as a giant magnet pulling students away from their books. What satire about student behavior is shown?Show Answer
The cartoon exaggerates how strongly phones attract students’ attention, suggesting that many students are distracted by gadgets instead of focusing on their studies. -
Example 4 – Identifying the Claim
A cartoon shows a river full of garbage shaped like shopping bags and plastic bottles. On the riverbank, a sign says, “Picnic Area.” What claim does the cartoonist seem to make?Show Answer
The cartoonist likely claims that people’s careless use of plastic and poor waste disposal are destroying natural places that should be clean and enjoyable. -
Example 5 – Different Reactions
Two classmates look at a cartoon criticizing long homework. One laughs and agrees, while the other frowns and says homework is important. What does this show about reading editorial cartoons?Show Answer
It shows that people can interpret and react to the same cartoon differently depending on their experiences and beliefs, so readers must respect differing opinions.
📝 Try It Out
Use your notebook for these tasks. Then check the suggested answers.
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In 3–4 sentences, define an editorial cartoon and explain how it is different from other cartoons.
Show Answer
Sample answer: An editorial cartoon is a drawing that comments on real-life issues or events. It usually has one frame and uses symbols, labels, and humor to show the cartoonist’s opinion. Unlike ordinary cartoons or comics, which are mainly for entertainment, editorial cartoons are a kind of visual argument about current issues. -
Make a two-column list labeled “PARTS” and “ROLE.” Under “PARTS,” write: characters, setting, text, symbol. Match each part with its role in a cartoon.
Show Answer
Characters – show who is involved in the issue; Setting – suggests where and when the issue happens; Text – clarifies meaning through captions, labels, and speech; Symbol – stands for bigger ideas related to the issue. -
Think of a simple issue in your school (for example, noise, uniforms, gadgets). Brainstorm at least three possible symbols for that issue.
Show Answer
Answers will vary. Example for noise: a megaphone, exploding speaker, or student wearing earplugs. For gadgets: a phone with chains, a tablet as a pillow, or a screen blocking a window. -
Write one example of exaggeration you might use if you were drawing about “too much homework.”
Show Answer
Example: Draw a student carrying a huge mountain of papers taller than a building, or a classroom where students are buried up to their necks in worksheets. -
Copy and complete this sentence: “The claim of an editorial cartoon is usually about ________ and tells readers that ________.”
Show Answer
Possible completion: “The claim of an editorial cartoon is usually about a current issue and tells readers that something is good, bad, unfair, or needs to change.” -
Imagine a cartoon showing a broken clock labeled “System.” What issue do you think it could represent? Write a short explanation.
Show Answer
Sample: It could represent a system in government, school, or community that no longer works properly, suggesting that it is outdated and needs repair or change. -
Draft three questions you can use the next time you analyze an editorial cartoon.
Show Answer
Examples: “What issue is being shown?” “What is exaggerated or funny?” “What symbols and labels are used?” “What is the cartoonist’s point of view?” -
In your own words, explain why it is important to look for the cartoonist’s point of view instead of just laughing at the joke.
Show Answer
Sample: Because the cartoon is trying to influence how people think about an issue. If we notice the point of view, we can decide whether we agree or not and avoid being easily misled. -
Sketch (even with stick figures) a very simple idea for an editorial cartoon about one issue in your class. Label at least two parts (for example, “teacher,” “student,” “gadget,” or “rule”).
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Teacher may check that the sketch clearly shows an issue and includes at least two labels or symbols, not artistic perfection. -
Finish this reflection sentence: “When I look at editorial cartoons, I want to train myself to…”
Show Answer
Encourage responses like “…think about the message, not just the drawing,” “…notice symbols and exaggeration,” or “…decide for myself whether I agree with the cartoonist.”
✅ Check Yourself
Answer these items to check how well you understood today’s lesson.
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(Multiple Choice) An editorial cartoon is mainly used to
a. decorate the newspaper
b. entertain readers with fantasy stories
c. present an opinion about a real issue
d. teach drawing skills
Show Answer
Correct answer: c. present an opinion about a real issue. -
(Multiple Choice) Which of the following is not usually a feature of editorial cartoons?
a. Symbols and labels
b. Many frames telling a long story
c. Exaggeration of characters
d. Short captions or speech balloons
Show Answer
Correct answer: b. Many frames telling a long story. -
(True/False) Editorial cartoons are always neutral and do not show the cartoonist’s opinion.
Show Answer
False. Editorial cartoons clearly show the cartoonist’s opinion or point of view. -
(True/False) A symbol is a picture that stands for a larger idea, such as a scale for justice.
Show Answer
True. Symbols represent ideas or concepts beyond the object shown. -
(Short Answer) What is satire?
Show Answer
Satire is a way of criticizing people, actions, or ideas using humor, irony, and exaggeration to show that something is wrong or foolish. -
(Multiple Choice) A cartoon shows a leader with an extremely long nose after making a speech. What device is being used?
a. Symbol
b. Foreshadowing
c. Caricature
d. Flashback
Show Answer
Correct answer: c. Caricature. -
(Short Answer) Why is context (background information about the issue) important when reading editorial cartoons?
Show Answer
Because many details refer to current events; knowing the context helps the reader understand what the cartoon is criticizing or supporting. -
(Short Answer) Give one question you can ask yourself to identify the cartoonist’s point of view.
Show Answer
Example: “What does the cartoon seem to say is good or bad about this issue?” or “Which side does the cartoon make look better or worse?” -
(Multiple Choice) When a cartoon uses the image of a drowning student under books labeled “projects” and “tests,” it mainly shows
a. that the student cannot swim
b. literal danger in a flood
c. exaggeration about heavy schoolwork
d. a science experiment
Show Answer
Correct answer: c. exaggeration about heavy schoolwork. -
(True/False) Two people may react differently to the same editorial cartoon because of their experiences and beliefs.
Show Answer
True. Readers bring their own background and opinions to what they read. -
(Short Answer) What is the usual purpose of captions in editorial cartoons?
Show Answer
Captions give extra information or a punch line that helps readers understand the issue and the cartoonist’s attitude. -
(Short Answer) Why should you think carefully before sharing an editorial cartoon online?
Show Answer
Because sharing spreads its message; you need to consider if it is fair, respectful, accurate, and something you truly agree with. -
(Multiple Choice) Which set of skills is most important when reading editorial cartoons?
a. Memorizing artist names
b. Counting how many colors are used
c. Noticing details, symbols, and opinions
d. Copying the drawing exactly
Show Answer
Correct answer: c. Noticing details, symbols, and opinions. -
(Short Answer) What does it mean to be a “critical reader” of editorial cartoons?
Show Answer
It means examining the cartoon’s parts and message, questioning the point of view, and deciding thoughtfully whether you agree or disagree, instead of just reacting quickly. -
(Reflection Check) Which part of today’s lesson helped you most in understanding editorial cartoons, and how will you use that skill next time you see one?
Show Answer
Answers will vary. Learners might mention looking for symbols, reading captions carefully, or connecting cartoons to news events.
🚀 Go Further (optional)
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Cartoon Hunt – Look for one age-appropriate editorial cartoon in a newspaper or online source at home.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Ask learners to bring a printed copy or sketch and be ready to describe the issue, symbols, and point of view. Remind them to choose school-appropriate material and to credit the source. -
Symbol Swap – List at least five common symbols (heart, light bulb, chain, etc.) and invent new meanings they might have in cartoons.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Use this to show that symbols can shift meaning depending on context. Invite learners to share creative but logical interpretations. -
Mini Research – Choose a current issue and gather two short news snippets about it from trusted sources.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Guide learners in summarizing the issue in simple language. In later lessons, these summaries can serve as background for creating their own editorial cartoons. -
Caption Remix – Take a simple picture (not yet a cartoon) and write two different captions that show opposite opinions about the same situation.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Emphasize how changing only the words can shift the message, preparing learners to see how captions affect editorial cartoons. -
Opinion Journal – Keep a short weekly journal where learners write about one issue they care about and what stand they take.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Encourage honest but respectful opinions. These journal entries can later become the basis for original editorial cartoon ideas.
🔗 My Reflection
Notebook prompt:
Choose one issue that you feel strongly about (in school, at home, or in your community). Write a short paragraph explaining how an editorial cartoon could show your opinion about this issue. Mention what characters, setting, symbols, and exaggeration you might use.
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