Narrator: Now listen to part of a talk in a political science class.

Professor: Political cartoons are a blend of pictorial, editorial, and social commentary. The medium of political cartoons combines the politics and artistry of journals and provides people with opportunities to creatively express their social concerns and political viewpoints. Although political cartoons often utilize strategic writing, their commentary extends beyond the written word alone. Most political cartoons aim to inform readers of current politics and influence them as well. Political cartoonists have been trying to affect public opinion since the mid-19th century, and the earlier cartoons serve as a glimpse into the controversy of past political situations. Because they rely on symbolism, caricature, and stylized imagery, political cartoons help people to think about politics in ways different from traditional news reporting. While it is impossible to know how or in what ways political cartoons will affect the public, successful political cartoons share four common characteristics: eye-catching artistry, genuine sentiment, uncomplicated imagery, and an importance that will last over time. While political cartoons display messages of “truth,” critics argue that they do not change minds but reflect a level of social opinion and cultural values through familiar symbols. Whether fighting the status quo, raising social concern, or promoting broad political change, it is clear that political cartoons have changed the face of modern journalism and U.S. history.

Narrator: Now get ready to answer the question.

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The function of political cartoons is...well…political cartoons try to affect public opinion. But critics say those cartoons only reflect social opinion and don’t really affect what people think. Another function of political cartoons is to inform readers of current politics, but people probably read the news to understand, rather than interpret the symbols of a cartoon. From looking at older political cartoons, we can learn more about social opinions of past political problems in a culture. Some components of the success of a political cartoon include sentiment or feelings, art, uncomplicated images or symbols, and importance. I suppose if a political cartoon doesn’t address an important issue, no one will pay attention to it.