Mastery Week Activity- Life-Ready Level
National Government
Cartoon Analysis
Partner OK
10 Activity Points
Use your cornering/ four-square strategy to analyze 4 of the following 6 political cartoons. If you choose
to work with a partner, make sure you follow the partner guidelines.
Cartoon #1
Step 1: Divide the cartoon into 4 sections.
Step 2: Write what you see in each section. Include key words, major images, and symbols.
Step 3: Write a one-sentence summary of what you saw in the cartoon overall.
Step 4: Determine the cartoonists’ overall message. What is the point of the cartoon?
Step 5: Connect the message or symbols of the cartoon to what we’ve learned in class.
(What does this cartoon have to do with the structure or powers of the Legislative branch, Executive
branch, Judicial branch, Lawmaking process, Roles of the President, or Federal Court System?)
Cartoon #2
Step 1: Divide the cartoon into 4 sections.
Step 2: Write what you see in each section. Include key words, major images, and symbols.
Step 3: Write a one-sentence summary of what you saw in the cartoon overall.
Step 4: Determine the cartoonists’ overall message. What is the point of the cartoon?
Step 5: Connect the message or symbols of the cartoon to what we’ve learned in class.
(What does this cartoon have to do with the structure or powers of the Legislative branch, Executive
branch, Judicial branch, Lawmaking process, Roles of the President, or Federal Court System?)
Cartoon #3
Step 1: Divide the cartoon into 4 sections.
Step 2: Write what you see in each section. Include key words, major images, and symbols.
Step 3: Write a one-sentence summary of what you saw in the cartoon overall.
Step 4: Determine the cartoonists’ overall message. What is the point of the cartoon?
Step 5: Connect the message or symbols of the cartoon to what we’ve learned in class.
(What does this cartoon have to do with the structure or powers of the Legislative branch, Executive
branch, Judicial branch, Lawmaking process, Roles of the President, or Federal Court System?)
Cartoon #4
Step 1: Divide the cartoon into 4 sections.
Step 2: Write what you see in each section. Include key words, major images, and symbols.
Step 3: Write a one-sentence summary of what you saw in the cartoon overall.
Step 4: Determine the cartoonists’ overall message. What is the point of the cartoon?
Step 5: Connect the message or symbols of the cartoon to what we’ve learned in class.
(What does this cartoon have to do with the structure or powers of the Legislative branch, Executive
branch, Judicial branch, Lawmaking process, Roles of the President, or Federal Court System?)
Cartoon #5
Step 1: Divide the cartoon into 4 sections.
Step 2: Write what you see in each section. Include key words, major images, and symbols.
Step 3: Write a one-sentence summary of what you saw in the cartoon overall.
Step 4: Determine the cartoonists’ overall message. What is the point of the cartoon?
Step 5: Connect the message or symbols of the cartoon to what we’ve learned in class.
(What does this cartoon have to do with the structure or powers of the Legislative branch, Executive
branch, Judicial branch, Lawmaking process, Roles of the President, or Federal Court System?)
Cartoon #6
Step 1: Divide the cartoon into 4 sections.
Step 2: Write what you see in each section. Include key words, major images, and symbols.
Step 3: Write a one-sentence summary of what you saw in the cartoon overall.
Step 4: Determine the cartoonists’ overall message. What is the point of the cartoon?
Step 5: Connect the message or symbols of the cartoon to what we’ve learned in class.
(What does this cartoon have to do with the structure or powers of the Legislative branch, Executive
branch, Judicial branch, Lawmaking process, Roles of the President, or Federal Court System?)