Case Study Cartoon Strip
This activity can be done in the media center or in a computer lab. Divide the class into groups of three
or four and assign each group a case. The group is to do research on the case and use the information
to create a comic strip that will look like this:
Name of Case ______________________________________________
Year of Case
The Facts
The Issue
(who, what, when, where, why, and
(the question the
how)
Court is asked to
answer)
Petitioner's Arguments
Respondent's Arguments
Decision and
(petitioner—the person
(respondent—the person(s) that
Reasons
who challenges the
want(s) to defend the law and keep it
law)
as it is)
Give students a large sheet of white paper, colored pencils, and rulers. Once the comic strip is
completed, it is then presented to the class. My students did a magnificent job with this and learned a
lot about each case. Since the students did the research and taught it to themselves, they learned
rather than just remembered it for the moment. Here's a few examples of my students' comic strips.
________________________________________________________________________
Examining Political Cartoons web site
http://go.hrw.com/elotM/0030526671/student/ch07/lg1407284_287.pdf
http://www.bendib.com/
http://www.boondocksnet.com/gallery/political_cartoons.html
http://caglecartoons.com/download.asp?linkTo=home
http://www.cagle.com/teacher/
http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/herblock/sand.html
http://www.coxandforkum.com/
http://www.boondocksnet.com/gallery/political_cartoons.html
Questions in examining cartoons:
o Is timing or the context of events when the cartoon appears important for a political cartoonist?
Why or why not?
o
Who is the intended audience for the cartoon?
o
How do the audience's experiences, emotions, and assumptions -- including stereotypes -influence how the cartoonist will draw and how the audience will understand or "read" a political
cartoon?
o
Are there any visual symbols used by the cartoonist to represent the person, tradition, religion, or
thoughts portrayed? What visual associations does the cartoonist make, and how do these
associations make the viewer feel?
Legal Case Analysis

Name of Case:

When and where did it take place?

Issue: (point of argument)

Facts of the case: (be clear and concise)

Outcome: (give each court decision prior to the Supreme Court decision)

Supreme Court Decision – (include the name of the Justice that wrote the majority decision)

Your opinion: