Sandoval Rhetorical Analysis for Political Cartoons

Labeling

IN POLITICAL CARTOONS: attaches a designation, description, category, or class to an image in order to clarify what the image represents

Exaggeration

IN POLITICAL CARTOONS: magnifies an image or idea beyond the limits of the truth; overstates the truth; represents something disproportionately in order to make a point

Analogy

IN POLITICAL CARTOONS: visually depicts a comparison between two unlike things in order to highlight their similarities

Irony

IN POLITICAL CARTOONS: visually represents or highlights the difference between the way things are in actuality and the way they should be

Symbolism

IN POLITICAL CARTOONS: visually substitutes objects for another, broader concept, group, or entity

Labeling

In this image, the designation "Same Sex Marriage" is attached to the image of the egg that has almost entirely hatched to reveal a chicken. Without this marker on the egg, the cartoon would likely not make sense.

Analogy

This cartoon makes a visual comparison between bottles of alcohol and 2016 Republican candidates Ted Cruz and Donald Trump in order to suggest that both candidates are "difficult to swallow" for the Republican party (represented by the frazzled elephant).

Irony

This cartoon visually represents the difference between the way that things should be (Presidential candidates should be basing their positions on their own values and those of their constituents.) and the way things are in actuality (Presidential candidates are basing their values on the desires of anonymous corporate donors.).

Symbolism

This cartoon visually substitutes an old man in a hat labeled "S.C." for the people of South Carolina and the Valentine cards with 2016 presidential candidates' names on them for the promises that the candidates made to the people of South Carolina in order to get their vote in the 2016 primary election.

Exaggeration

This image represents a primary contest between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders in 2016. Sanders's victory over Clinton is overstated or dramatized as being incredibly physically traumatic to Clinton.

ELISA

an acronym for persuasive techniques used in political cartoons E=exaggeration L=labeling I=irony S=symbolism A=analogy