In this lesson, you will move from evaluating other people’s editorial cartoons to planning and creating your own. You will choose a real issue, decide on a clear point of view, and select symbols, labels, and humor that match your message and audience. As you sketch and revise, you will think about clarity, fairness, and impact, not just about drawing skills. By the end, you will have a simple editorial cartoon plus a short reflection explaining your creative choices and the opinion you want to share.
🎯 Learning Goals
By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
- Plan an editorial cartoon by selecting a relevant issue, a clear claim, and appropriate symbols, labels, and humor.
- Create a one-frame editorial cartoon draft that shows a focused message, suitable tone, and fair treatment of people involved.
- Write a brief reflection explaining how your creative choices (issue, claim, tools, layout) express your point of view.
🧩 Key Ideas & Terms
- Draft – A first version of a work that can still be changed and improved.
- Storyboard / thumbnail – A small, rough sketch that shows the basic layout of a cartoon or scene.
- Layout – The way characters, objects, and text are arranged inside the cartoon frame.
- Caption – A short line of text, usually below the cartoon, that comments on or explains the image.
- Revision – The process of changing and improving a draft based on self-check or feedback.
- Audience – The people you imagine reading and reacting to your cartoon.
- Creative choice – A decision you make about how to present your message (symbols, humor, colors, style).
- Reflection – A written explanation of what you did, why you did it, and what you learned.
🔄 Quick Recall / Prior Knowledge
Use what you learned in Days 1–3 about reading and evaluating editorial cartoons.
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What three questions help you quickly understand an editorial cartoon?
Show Answer
Sample: “What issue is this about?” “What is the cartoonist’s claim or message?” “Which details (symbols, labels, expressions, caption) support that message?” -
Name at least two cartoonist’s tools you might use in your own cartoon.
Show Answer
Possible answers: caricature, symbols, labels, captions, speech balloons, irony, hyperbole, parody. -
Why is fairness important when criticizing an issue in a cartoon?
Show Answer
Because cartoons can influence how people see groups and individuals. Fairness avoids cruel stereotypes, insults, and misleading messages and respects human dignity. -
What makes an editorial cartoon effective for its audience?
Show Answer
It is clear, focused on one main idea, fair enough, and memorable; it uses tools and evidence that the audience can understand and relate to.
📖 Explore the Lesson
Checkpoint 1 – Choosing Your Issue and Point of View
Mini-goal: Decide what real-life topic you will focus on and what you want to say about it.
Before you start drawing, you need something worth talking about. Every editorial cartoon is built on an issue and a claim. The issue is the topic or problem; the claim is what you think about it. For this lesson, choose an issue that you know and care about. It can be from school (homework load, punctuality, cleanliness, gadgets in class), at home (chores, responsibilities, screen time), or in your community (waste management, traffic, noise, public spaces). Choosing a familiar issue will give you more ideas for details and symbols.
Once you have an issue, decide your point of view. Ask yourself: What do I want readers to feel or realize after seeing my cartoon? For example, if your issue is classroom noise, your claim could be “Too much noise makes it hard for people to learn,” or “Everyone must help create a respectful learning environment.” Try to express your claim in one clear sentence. This becomes your guide; every element in your cartoon should support that sentence.
It also helps to think about your audience. Who do you imagine will see your cartoon? Classmates? Teachers? Parents? If you target classmates, you might use school slang or jokes they understand. If you include teachers, you might show both learners’ struggles and teachers’ challenges. Knowing your audience helps you choose symbols and humor that connect to them in a respectful way.
Real-life tie-in: Journalists, vloggers, and content creators also start with a focus and a stand. They ask, “What issue will I talk about today, and what is my message?” Learning to answer these questions now prepares you for many kinds of communication later.
Mini-summary: A strong editorial cartoon starts with a well-chosen issue, a clear claim, and a sense of who the audience is. These decisions guide every other creative choice you make.
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Why is it better to choose an issue you know and care about?
Show Answer
Because you will have more ideas, examples, and feelings to draw from, making your cartoon more honest, specific, and convincing. -
How can writing your claim in one sentence help you when drawing?
Show Answer
It gives you a clear target so you can choose only details that support that message and avoid adding confusing or unrelated elements. -
Give one way your cartoon might change if your audience is classmates versus parents.
Show Answer
For classmates, you might use school jokes and slang; for parents, you might show the student’s side more clearly and use simpler, more formal language.
Checkpoint 2 – Selecting Characters, Symbols, and Text
Mini-goal: Choose the “building blocks” that will carry your message visually and through short text.
After deciding your issue and claim, you need to select who and what will appear in the frame. Start with your main characters. Will you draw specific roles like “Student,” “Teacher,” “Parent,” “Official,” or “Citizen”? Or will you use characters that stand for larger groups, such as “Youth” or “Community”? Think about their expressions and body language. A slouch can suggest laziness or tiredness; a proud stance can show confidence or power.
Next, think about symbols. If your issue is time management, a giant clock, a calendar, or a melting watch might help. For technology, phones, laptops, and Wi-Fi icons are common symbols. For environment, trees, rivers, and trash cans often appear. Choose one or two strong symbols instead of crowding the frame with many. Remember that symbols should be easy to recognize and connected to the claim.
Then, plan your text elements: labels, speech balloons, and a possible caption. Labels name what things represent, like “Deadlines,” “Excuses,” or “Opportunities.” Speech balloons can show what characters think or say. A caption can deliver the final punch line or question. Use short, clear phrases; avoid long sentences that are hard to read in a small space. Read your text aloud and check if it sounds natural for your target audience.
Real-life tie-in: Graphic designers and advertisers also choose images and short text carefully to send strong messages on posters and social media. As you create your cartoon, you are practicing the same skill of powerful, concise communication.
Mini-summary: Selecting characters, symbols, and text is like choosing the actors, props, and lines for a short play. Each choice should support your claim and make the message easier to grasp.
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Why should you avoid adding too many symbols in one cartoon?
Show Answer
Too many symbols can confuse readers and weaken the message; a few strong, clear symbols are easier to understand and remember. -
How can labels help your audience read your cartoon correctly?
Show Answer
Labels show what each object or character represents, reducing misunderstanding and pointing directly to the ideas you want to highlight. -
What can you do to make sure your speech balloons and captions are easy to read?
Show Answer
Use short phrases, simple words, and clear handwriting; read them aloud to check if they sound natural and fit the space.
Checkpoint 3 – Planning Layout and Sketching a Draft
Mini-goal: Organize the frame so that readers’ eyes move smoothly and catch the key message.
Now that you know your issue, claim, characters, symbols, and text, you are ready to plan your layout. The layout is how everything is arranged inside the cartoon frame. A good layout guides the reader’s eyes from the most important element to the supporting details and finally to the caption. If everything is crowded into one corner or spread randomly, the message may be lost.
Start with a small thumbnail sketch in your notebook. Draw a simple rectangle to represent the frame. Inside it, lightly sketch where your main character will stand, where the major symbol will appear, and where you will place labels and speech balloons. You do not need fancy art at this stage—stick figures and boxes are fine. The goal is to see if the arrangement makes sense. Ask yourself: What is the first thing readers will notice? Is there enough space around important details?
Consider balance. If all the heavy objects or dark shapes are on one side, the cartoon may feel unbalanced. You can spread elements across the frame or use lines and arrows to guide the eye. Leave space for text so that labels and balloons do not cover key drawings. Once you are satisfied with your thumbnail, begin a larger, neater sketch. Keep your pencil strokes light so you can erase and adjust as needed.
Real-life tie-in: Architects sketch building plans, and filmmakers storyboard scenes before shooting. They know that planning the layout saves time and avoids mistakes later. Cartoonists use the same habit when they thumbnail their ideas before final artwork.
Mini-summary: Planning a layout with a thumbnail sketch helps you arrange characters, symbols, and text clearly before you commit to detailed drawing. A thoughtful layout guides readers smoothly through your message.
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Why is it helpful to start with a small thumbnail sketch instead of drawing the final version immediately?
Show Answer
Because it allows you to experiment with positions and sizes quickly, fix problems early, and save time and effort on the final drawing. -
What question can you ask to check if your layout works well?
Show Answer
“Where will readers’ eyes go first, second, and last, and does that order help them understand my message?” -
How can you avoid covering important drawings with speech balloons or captions?
Show Answer
Reserve space for text in your thumbnail, place balloons and caption boxes early, and adjust drawing positions to keep key images visible.
Checkpoint 4 – Revising for Clarity, Fairness, and Tone
Mini-goal: Improve your draft so that it sends a strong, responsible message.
Drawing your first draft is only the middle of the process, not the end. Strong cartoonists practice revision. Step back from your sketch and check it using the evaluation skills from Day 3. First, look at clarity. If someone who has not heard your explanation looked at the cartoon, would they quickly see the issue and basic claim? Are your labels readable? Is your main symbol big enough? If the message is unclear, adjust sizes, add or remove labels, or simplify the scene.
Next, think about fairness and bias. Are you criticizing behaviors and decisions, or are you insulting a whole group of people? Are you using stereotypes that might hurt or misrepresent others? A school-appropriate cartoon avoids hateful images and respects that real people are affected by issues. You can be honest and critical without being cruel. If something feels too harsh or unfair, revise the image or text to focus more on the specific problem, not on people’s identity.
Finally, check your tone. Does your cartoon feel playful, serious, angry, or hopeful? Is that tone suitable for the issue and your audience? For example, a light joke might work well for classroom habits but might feel insensitive for a disaster. If the tone feels off, you can change facial expressions, colors (if used), captions, or symbols to better match your purpose.
Real-life tie-in: Writers and artists at newspapers often show drafts to editors before publishing. They revise based on comments to improve clarity and avoid harmful content. Learning to revise your own work makes you more responsible and professional.
Mini-summary: Revising your cartoon means checking clarity, fairness, and tone, then making changes to strengthen your message and respect your audience.
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What questions can you ask a classmate when you ask them to review your draft?
Show Answer
“What issue do you think this is about?” “What message do you get?” “Is there anything confusing or unfair?” -
How can you revise a cartoon that seems to stereotype a whole group?
Show Answer
Change details so you focus on specific actions, show variety within the group, or use symbols that criticize behavior or systems instead of identities. -
Give one way to adjust tone in your cartoon without changing the main idea.
Show Answer
Change facial expressions, body language, or the wording of the caption; soften or sharpen humor; or adjust symbols to be more hopeful or more serious.
Checkpoint 5 – Finalizing Your Cartoon and Reflecting on the Process
Mini-goal: Complete a neat version of your cartoon and explain your creative choices.
After revising, you are ready to finalize your editorial cartoon. Trace or redraw your best version neatly on clean paper or in a digital app if allowed. Darken the important lines, keep labels and text readable, and erase extra guidelines. If you are adding color, use it to support meaning: for example, red for danger, green for hope, gray for pollution. Avoid adding random decorations that do not support the message; every part of the final artwork should serve the claim.
Along with the drawing, many teachers will ask you to write a short reflection. This is where you explain what you did and why. In 5–7 sentences, you can mention: the issue you chose, your claim, your target audience, the symbols and humor you used, and how you tried to be fair. You can also note what you found difficult and what you enjoyed. The reflection shows that you are not only able to draw but also able to think critically about your own work.
Remember that you are not being graded as a professional artist. The focus is on how clearly and responsibly you communicate an opinion. Even simple drawings can be powerful when the idea behind them is thoughtful. The more you practice planning, revising, and reflecting, the more confident and expressive you will become in using visual texts.
Real-life tie-in: Many professionals keep portfolios with notes about their projects. They look back on these reflections to see their growth, strengths, and areas to improve. You can do the same with your cartoons and written reflections.
Mini-summary: Finalizing your cartoon and writing a reflection completes the process of turning your ideas about an issue into a clear, accountable visual message.
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Why should you avoid adding decorations that do not relate to your claim?
Show Answer
Because extra decorations can distract readers, take up space, and weaken the focus on the main message. -
What important information should appear in your reflection?
Show Answer
The issue and claim, target audience, key symbols and humor used, how you ensured fairness, and what you learned from creating the cartoon. -
How can keeping your cartoon and reflection help you in the future?
Show Answer
They become part of your portfolio, showing your growth in critical thinking and visual communication and giving you ideas to improve next time.
💡 Example in Action
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Example 1 – Planning from an Issue
Issue: “Too much time on gadgets at night.” A student wants to make a cartoon encouraging classmates to sleep earlier. How could they turn this into a claim and simple plan?Show Answer
Sample claim: “Late-night gadget use steals students’ sleep and energy.” Plan: main character is a sleepy student with phone in hand; symbol of a clock showing midnight; bed far in the background; labels like “New Episode” and “Scroll Again”; caption: “Just one more hour… again.” Audience: classmates who recognize the habit. -
Example 2 – Choosing Symbols Carefully
A learner wants to show “hope for cleaner surroundings.” Which pair of symbols would support this best: (A) firecrackers and traffic, or (B) seedlings and recycling bins?Show Answer
Pair B (seedlings and recycling bins) supports the idea of hope and action toward cleanliness. These symbols connect directly to caring for the environment. -
Example 3 – Layout Decision
In a draft about classroom noise, a student places three noisy classmates in the center and one quiet learner squeezed in a corner. A speech balloon covers the quiet learner’s face. What revision could improve clarity?Show Answer
Move the quiet learner to a clearer spot, reduce the size of a speech balloon, or adjust the angle so both noisy and quiet students are visible. The quiet learner’s expression is important to show the effect of noise. -
Example 4 – Checking Fairness
A cartoon shows all teachers sleeping at their desks with the caption “Teachers don’t care.” Why might this be an unfair cartoon, and how could it be revised?Show Answer
It stereotypes all teachers as lazy and uncaring. A fairer revision might show one character representing a specific behavior (such as ignoring students) or show both struggling teachers and students to highlight a shared problem, not an attack on all teachers. -
Example 5 – Writing a Reflection
After drawing a cartoon about “sharing chores at home,” a learner writes: “My cartoon shows a tired parent carrying many bags while two teenagers play games. The caption says, ‘Housework is teamwork.’ I used exaggeration, like extra-large bags labeled ‘Dishes,’ ‘Laundry,’ and ‘Bills.’ I wanted to remind my classmates that helping at home is fair.” How does this reflection show understanding?Show Answer
The reflection clearly states the issue, claim, audience, and tools used (exaggeration, labels, caption). It explains the purpose behind the cartoon—reminding classmates about fairness at home.
📝 Try It Out
Use these tasks to plan and begin your own editorial cartoon. Work in your notebook or on separate paper.
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List three possible issues you might use for your cartoon (school, home, or community). Put a star beside the one you feel strongest about.
Show Answer
Answers will vary: examples include homework load, classroom noise, gadget use, waste disposal, traffic, or kindness to others. The starred issue should be one the learner can talk about clearly. -
For your chosen issue, write one clear claim starting with “I think…” or “The cartoon will show that…”.
Show Answer
Sample: “The cartoon will show that too much gadget use at night makes students tired and less focused in class.” -
Identify your target audience and write one sentence explaining why this group needs to see your cartoon.
Show Answer
Example: “My target audience is my classmates because many of us stay up late online and complain about being sleepy the next day.” -
List at least two characters and two symbols you will include. Add short notes on what each represents.
Show Answer
Example: Characters – “Student” (represents youth), “Alarm Clock” (represents responsibility); Symbols – phone (distraction), pillow (rest that is ignored). -
Draft two possible captions for your cartoon. Decide which one fits your tone better and circle it.
Show Answer
Sample captions for gadget issue: “Just one more video…?” or “Online all night, offline in class.” The circled caption should best match the desired tone. -
Create a thumbnail sketch of your layout using a small rectangle. Mark approximate positions for characters, symbols, labels, balloons, and the caption.
Show Answer
Teacher may check that the important elements are visible and not hidden, and that there is space for text. -
Write three self-check questions you will use when revising your draft (for example, “Is my message clear?”).
Show Answer
Possible questions: “Can someone else tell the issue and claim from my drawing?” “Are my labels readable?” “Am I being fair and avoiding stereotypes?” -
Show your thumbnail to a classmate or imagine a reviewer. Copy down one suggestion that would make your message clearer or fairer.
Show Answer
Example: “Make the clock bigger so readers see that time is the main problem,” or “Add a label to the bag so people know it represents chores.” -
Start your larger draft based on your improved plan. After sketching, write two sentences evaluating its clarity and tone.
Show Answer
Example: “My cartoon is clear because the main symbol (giant phone) and labels directly show the issue. The tone is slightly humorous but still serious about the effects on students.” -
Write the first three sentences of your reflection, beginning with “My editorial cartoon is about…”
Show Answer
Sample: “My editorial cartoon is about students staying up late online. My claim is that this habit steals our sleep and affects our performance in class. I chose classmates as my audience because many of us experience this problem.”
✅ Check Yourself
Answer these items to check your understanding of creating and reflecting on editorial cartoons.
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(Multiple Choice) The first step in creating an editorial cartoon should be to
a. add as many decorations as possible
b. choose a real issue and decide on a claim
c. color the background
d. memorize other people’s cartoons
Show Answer
Correct answer: b. choose a real issue and decide on a claim. -
(Multiple Choice) A thumbnail sketch is
a. the final, colored version of a cartoon
b. a small rough drawing used to plan layout
c. a drawing done only with a thumb
d. a close-up of a character’s face
Show Answer
Correct answer: b. a small rough drawing used to plan layout. -
(True/False) The best editorial cartoons always use as many symbols as possible so that the message is rich and complex.
Show Answer
False. Too many symbols can confuse readers; a few well-chosen ones are more effective. -
(True/False) Your cartoon must be completely neutral and show all sides equally to be school-appropriate.
Show Answer
False. An editorial cartoon is an opinion, but it should still be fair and avoid cruel or hateful content. -
(Short Answer) What is the purpose of thinking about your target audience before drawing?
Show Answer
So you can choose symbols, language, and humor that your readers understand and that will affect them in the way you intend. -
(Multiple Choice) Which of the following best shows a focus on behavior rather than identity?
a. Drawing all teenagers as lazy zombies
b. Showing one student ignoring class rules while others work
c. Mocking a character’s body shape
d. Insulting a group’s religion with a symbol
Show Answer
Correct answer: b. Showing one student ignoring class rules while others work. -
(Short Answer) Why should you revise your cartoon after making a draft?
Show Answer
To improve clarity, fairness, and tone; to fix confusing parts; and to make sure every detail supports your message. -
(Short Answer) Give one question you might ask yourself when checking the fairness of your cartoon.
Show Answer
Example: “Am I criticizing actions and choices, or am I unfairly attacking a whole group of people?” -
(Multiple Choice) Which pair of words best describes what a reflection should include?
a. Jokes and secrets
b. Facts and dates only
c. Choices and reasons
d. Colors and prices
Show Answer
Correct answer: c. Choices and reasons. -
(True/False) Simple drawings cannot be effective editorial cartoons because they are not artistic enough.
Show Answer
False. Simple drawings can be very effective if the idea and message behind them are clear and strong. -
(Short Answer) How can you check if the tone of your cartoon matches your issue?
Show Answer
Think about whether the level of humor or seriousness feels appropriate for the topic and audience; if not, adjust expressions, symbols, or text. -
(Short Answer) Why is it important to support your evaluation of your own cartoon with specific details?
Show Answer
Specific details show that your judgment is based on evidence from your work, not just on general feelings. -
(Multiple Choice) A reflection that says, “I chose a giant phone labeled ‘Distraction’ to show how gadgets pull students away from their homework,” shows that the learner is
a. copying another cartoon
b. explaining a creative choice
c. ignoring the issue
d. listing materials used
Show Answer
Correct answer: b. explaining a creative choice. -
(Short Answer) Give one reason why keeping a portfolio of your cartoons and reflections can be useful.
Show Answer
It lets you see your progress over time, remember your ideas, and use past work as a guide for improving future projects. -
(Reflection Check) After learning how to create and reflect on editorial cartoons, what is one skill you are proud of and one skill you still want to strengthen?
Show Answer
Answers will vary. Learners may mention skills like planning claims, choosing symbols, revising for fairness, or writing clearer reflections.
🚀 Go Further (optional)
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Mini Gallery Walk – Display finished cartoons around the room and let classmates leave short sticky-note comments.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Provide sentence starters like “I noticed…”, “I learned…”, and “I wonder…” to keep comments respectful and focused on message, not drawing skill. -
Cartoon and Article Pairing – Match your cartoon with a short news article about the same issue and write a 1-paragraph comparison.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Ask learners to compare how the article and cartoon present the issue, what details they emphasize, and which feels more powerful to them. -
Re-Draw with a New Tone – Choose one of your classmates’ cartoons (with permission) and redraw it with a different tone (for example, from angry to hopeful).
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Emphasize that students are not changing the message, just exploring how expressions, color, and captions affect tone and reader reaction. -
Future Issue Brainstorm – Make a list of issues you might want to tackle in future cartoons as you grow older (high school, community, national).
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Use this to connect cartoon-making to students’ long-term role as informed, critical citizens who can share opinions responsibly. -
Peer Teaching – In small groups, prepare a short mini-lesson teaching younger learners how to “read” an editorial cartoon.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Encourage groups to use simple examples, questions, and activities. This reinforces Grade 8 students’ own understanding as they explain concepts to others.
🔗 My Reflection
Notebook prompt:
Look at your finished editorial cartoon and read your reflection draft. Write a short paragraph answering these questions: What did you do well in your cartoon and why? If you could change one part to make your message clearer, fairer, or more powerful, what would it be and how would you change it?
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