Secondary Social Studies - Political Cartoon Analysis Rubric
Issue/Background
4
3
2
1
0
Symbols
Exaggerations
Distortions
Stereotypes
Humor and Irony
Argument
Demonstrates an indepth understanding of
the issue or problem
posed and makes
connections to prior
knowledge
Fully understands all
symbols or designs
that stand for some
other thing, person, or
idea
Fully understands exaggerated
features and distortions and is
able to point out stereotypes and
simplistic views of groups used to
help the cartoonist make a point
Fully understands
the irony or humor
expressed in the
cartoon and is able
to distinguish the
differences between
the two
Fully understands the
point of view and
argument of the
cartoonist
Demonstrates a
reasonable
understanding of the
problem or issue posed
and makes
connections to prior
knowledge
Understands most of
the symbols or designs
that stand for some
other thing, person, or
idea
Has reasonable understanding of
exaggerated features and
distortions and is able to point out
stereotypes and simplistic views of
groups used to help the cartoonist
make a point
Has some
understanding of the
irony and humor in
the cartoon
Has reasonable
understanding of the
point of view and
argument of the
cartoonist
Demonstrates some
understanding of the
problem or issue posed
with limited
connections to prior
knowledge
Understands a few of
the symbols or designs
that stand for some
other thing, person, or
idea
Has some understanding of
exaggerated features and
distortions and is able to point out
some stereotypes and simplistic
views of groups used to help the
cartoonist make a point
Has limited
understanding of the
irony or humor in the
cartoon
Has some understanding
of the point of view and
argument of the
cartoonist
Demonstrates little to
no understanding of
the issue or problem
posed.
Demonstrates little to
no understanding of
the symbols or designs
that stand for some
other thing, person, or
idea
Demonstrates little to no
understanding of exaggerated
features and distortions or
stereotypes and simplistic views of
groups used to help the cartoonist
make a point
Demonstrates little to
no understanding of
the irony or humor in
the cartoon
Demonstrates little to no
understanding of the
point of view and
argument of the
cartoonist
Blank or incoherent
response
Blank or incoherent
response
Blank or incoherent
response
Blank or incoherent
response
Blank or incoherent
response
Secondary Social Studies Office, HCPSS