Groundhog Global Warming

By Alison Adkins

BackgroundGroundhog Day has been celebrated on

February second for many years.

Global warming has become a major issue over the last several decades.

The following cartoon was made by Rick McKee and was created/published on 2-1-2013.

Groundhog Global Warming

Visual CompositionThe picture shows a Groundhog in the center

emphasizing that what it is saying is the main point.

The background behind it is black showing that his message is an ominous one. The mayors’ background is yellow to show he has a brighter view.

The mayor is depicted holding the groundhog showing that it is Groundhog Day.

The words are in dark black and bright red as well as large to further emphasize the ground hogs point.

PurposeThe cartoons purpose was to persuade the

audience that Global Warming should be taken seriously.

Audience The audience for the cartoon is the American

public because they would understand the Groundhog Day reference better than a foreign audience and will be effected by global warming.

TechniquesWords are written in ALL CAPS to add

emotion.

Important words such as melting, rising, and die are also in red to add further emphasis.

Irony is used when a symbol of spring and warmer weather (the groundhog) is used to show global warming.

Techniques ContinuedSymbolism is used as the Groundhog

represents nature, and nature warning mankind through shouting signs of change. (Melting ice caps)

The mayor represents mankind, this shows that humans are ignoring nature’s warnings as the mayor only acts annoyed by the Groundhog’s shouts.

PathosPathos: appeal to emotions. This cartoon

appeals to emotion by using strong words and fear. The groundhog is saying we all are going to die and that stirs emotion.

EthosEthos: expert appeal. This cartoon doesn’t

utilize ethos in its rhetoric.

LogosLogos: logos is an

appeal to logic. This cartoon appeals to logic by quoting facts like: the ice caps are melting & sea levels are rising.

Cartoon CitationsMcKee, Rick. "Groundhog Global Warming."

Cartoon. The Augusta Chronicle 1 Feb. 2013: n. pag. Print

Map of the United States. Digital image. United States Maps. United States Map, 2006. Web. Jan.-Feb. 2013.

Clipart