The effectiveness of satire in Decades of Herblock
1. Visit Five Decades of Herblock (https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/herblock/5decades.htm ) on The Washington Post web site.
2. Under Herblock’s Essays, select 1956—1965, and then select 1966—1975. For both selections, read the essays and view the political cartoons associated with each decade. The cartoons are linked throughout each essay. Select each link in the essays to view and analyze the cartoons:
o Determine the issue of the respective historical moments that each of these cartoons critiques.
o Note which visual elements (the actual drawing, including the layout and design) and verbal elements (the text, including titles and captions) are combined to produce particular meanings and effects in each cartoon.
3. Select any five political cartoons from the Herblock collection. For each of the political cartoons you choose, write a paragraph analysis that does the following:
o Identifies the vice, issue, or institution that the cartoon satirizes.
o Analyzes the visual and verbal elements that combine to produce meaning and effect.
o Identifies the elements of satire the creator uses. Refer to the list of elements above and those listed in the slideshow.
o Evaluates the effectiveness of the satire. Are the cartoonist’s techniques effective? Why or why not?
