Delos Reyes, Eunice Janine IV - Newton

LESSON 1 – EDITORIAL NEWS

WHAT IS AN EDITORIAL

A newspaper editorial is an article that is written based on the opinion of the writer that gives his or her thoughts about a certain topic. Most writers have usually had an abundance of articles published before becoming an editorial.

It is an article that presents the newspaper's opinion on a particular issue. It reflects the majority vote of the editorial members, the governing body of the

newspaper made up of editors and business managers. It is usually unsigned. (Anonymous) It is meant to influence public opinion, promote critical thinking, and sometimes cause

people to take action on an issue. It is meant to be biased, somewhat insightful and often includes persuasive writing

techniques.

WRITING AN EDITORIAL

There are several different steps you need to follow in order to be successful when writing an editorial: 

Choosing a Topic

The topic you choose is the most essential part in writing a newspaper editorial. The best topics are those that are current issues among our society. If the topic is a current issue that everyone is already interested in, then your editorial piece will engage reader’s attention.

If the topic you choose is an ongoing issue in our society, make sure to use the most recent information. However, you can use older information as sources to help prove your case. Do not make your editorial a controversial topic, unless that is that is your whole reason for writing it in the first place. 

Choosing your opinion

You need to ask yourself, are you for or against the issue you have chosen as your topic for your newspaper editorial piece. You cannot be on both sides of the fence when writing an editorial piece. The purpose for the editorial is to give your opinion. You must give a strong opinion, because if not, readers will not be as inclined to see your point of view.

Outline Your Editorial

With an outline, you know where you stand on the issue. The outline helps you get your thoughts and opinions in order.

Writing Your Article

Pick a headline that will really get one’s attention. If you grab their attention from the very beginning, they are more inclined to keep reading. Your opinion on the topic should be addressed in the introduction to your new editorial. Clearly word your opinion and the main reason why you chose to be in it. Support your position with another reason. Present relevant facts and statistics and include ethical or moral reasons for your stand. Also state what you think would be the best outcome.

TIPS IN WRITING AN EDITORIAL

Use statistics to help prove your argument.

Leave your strongest argument to be the last.

Do not be passive in the arguments that come before the strongest.

Be sure the views you express are yours and take care not to borrow views from editorials you have found inspirational.

CONCLUSION OF AN ARTICLE

The conclusion should sum up the entire body that you have made. It may be the strongest argument you may give or a way that you thought would be the best outcome for the existing issue. Tie up the piece by clearly restating your stance.

TYPES OF EDITORIALS’ WILL

1. Explain or interpret – These are usually used to explain a sensitive issue. (ex.: school newspapers may explain new school rules or a particular student-body effort like a food drive)

2. Criticize – These criticize actions, decisions or situations while providing solutions to the problem identified. Readers see the problem, not the solution.

3. Persuade: These make people immediately see the solution, not the problem. From the first paragraph, readers will be encouraged to take a specific, positive action. (ex.: political endorsements are good examples of editorials of persuasion)

4. Praise: These editorials commend people and organizations for something done well. They are not as common as the other three.

MORE TIPS IN WRITING AN EDITORIAL

I. Lead with an Objective Explanation of the Issue/Controversy.

Include the five W's and the H questions. Pull in facts and quotations from sources which are relevant.

II. Present Your Opposition First. 

As the writer, you disagree with these viewpoints. Identify who opposes you. Use facts and quotations to state objectively their opinions.

III. Directly Refute The Opposition's Beliefs.

You can begin your article with transition. Pull in other facts and quotations from people who support your position.

IV. Give Other, Original Reasons/Analogies

Give reasons from strong to strongest order. Use a literary or cultural allusion that lends to your credibility and perceived intelligence

V. Conclude With Some Punch.

Give solutions to the problem or challenge the reader to be informed. A quotation can be effective, especially if from a respected source. Also, a rhetorical question may be used.

TYPES OF EDITORIALS

1. Editorial of Information – It seeks to give information on facts of news stories or add

other facts with minimum explanation. It may define terms, identify persons or factors or provide

a background.

Ex.: BAYANIHAN: FILIPINO CULTURAL HERITAGE

 The effectiveness of the “bayanihan” spirit was best shown by groups of students,

hundreds of them, as they took to the streets in support of the Metro Manila clean-up and

beautification drive. The students, coming from different schools in Tondo , pooled themselves

together, cleaned the streets, and beautified them with potted ornamental plants. This is

bayanihan in action.

The bayanihan is an ancient Filipino custom, symbolic of the Filipino way of

group work. As found in the Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala (1745) by P. Juan de Noceda and

P. Pedro de Sncluar, the word bayanihan is derived from the rootword bayani meaning Obra

comun or group work.

Another related word, magpabayani, is a request for help by one who wants a job done for him,

and evokes response from neighbors who come in groups to offer their services in all forms and

their own simple ways. In return, the nagpabayani gets free breakfast, lunch or merienda —-a

token of appreciation and gratitudes of the nagpabayani.

 2. Editorial of Interpretation – It explains the significance or meaning of a news event,

current idea, condition, or situation, theory, or hypothesis. The writer doesn’t argue nor

criticize, but merely present both sides of an issue and leaves the judgment to the reader. It

merely interprets, say for example, the content of a new memorandum issued by the

principal.

Ex.: A TALE OF HORROR: POPULATION EXPLOSION

Today the Philippines has a population of 80 million. At the present rate of growth,

this small country, would only be most affected by the evil effect of population explosion. This

means that most of our high school students now, who would only be in their early 40′s or 50′s at

that time, will be the ones to be most affected by the evil effect of population explosion.

As of today our basic problems are food, water, housing, education, and pollution.

Just imagined how these problems would be aggravated by the 150 million mouths to feed, backs

to clothe, heads to shelter, and minds to educate.

Also today the world has a population of four billions. These will double in 35 years time. The

world population is increasing at the rate of an additional 2,000 million every eight years.

In six and a half centuries from now, there would be one person standing on every

square foot of land on earth. By that time, men would be no more place for plants to grow.

The only way to avoid this situation would be through population planning. The first

consequence can be seen in the faces of hungry men. One half of humanity is hungry at this

moment. There is less food per person on earth today than there was30 years ago during the

worldwide depression.

Political chaos is death through world wars, revolutions, aggressions, rebellions, and the like.

The third and the best remedy is population planning done through family planning. Family

planning simply means the planning of the size and spacing of one’s family by means of

scientific knowledge and method. 

 3. Editorial of Criticism – It points out the good or the bad features of a problem or situation

mentioned in the news. Its purpose is to influence the reader. It suggests a solution at the end.

Ex.: A JUNE 12 THOUGHT: RESPECT FLAG RITES

A flag ceremony, wherever it be a flag raising or a flag retreat is sacred. Therefore, it

should be observed with all the solemnity and sacredness a Filipino citizen can muster.

The National Anthem (Pambansang awit), like the national flag, should be treated

with ceremonial respect.

On this anniversary of the declaration of Independent in Kawit in 1898 it is perhaps

timely to remind all and to behave during flag ceremonies.

Sad to say, many students during the Monday morning flag raising ceremonies, instead of

standing at attention while singing the National Anthem, and while reciting the Patriotic Fledge

(Panatang Makabayan), move around play and have completely disregarding what’s going on.

It is for this reasons that we are calling the attention of all teachers, especially the

social studies teachers to give more emphasis on teaching values, love of country, respect for the

flag, veneration of heroes, and proper behavior during flag ceremonies

In flag ceremonies cannot be held properly, why then do we hold them at all.

  

4. Editorial of Commendation, Appreciation, or Tribute – It praises, commends, or pays

tribute to a person or organization that has performed some worthwhile projects or deeds,

or accomplishments.

Ex.: WE ARE OUR BROTHERS’ KEEPERS

“And the Lord said unto Cain. Where is Abel your brother? And he said, ‘ I know not. Am I my brother’s keeper?” – Genesis 4:9This question asked millions of years ago in the Garden of Eden has not lost its meaning.This was the same question students of Osmena High school had sought to answer, and answered, when the biggest flood in recent years hit Central Luzon.When the appeal for help was aired by the mass media, local student leaders launched a three pronged drive to solicit relief aid for the flood victims.Majority of the students belong to poor families. Most of them cannot even afford to buy more than a pair of uniforms for their daily use. But when the appeal for aid was sounded, they lost no time in finding ways and means to help their less fortunate brothers. They knew that they were their brotherss’ keepers.The hat was literally passed around. In no time, the sum of 20,000 was collected. Aside from this, canned goods, rice, medicine, and old clothes were also collected.The drive, which started as a spark, soon grew and spread like wildfire: the teachers, alumni, and former members of the editorial staff joined the “Help Our Brothers” bandwagon.A part of the money was sent to the flood victims through the national dailies. The rest, plus the relief goods, were personally delivered to them in Central Luzon during the height of the floods by the student leaders.The schools aid may be just like a drop of water in a bucket. But, true to what James Lowell said in his poem:

“The Vision of Sir Launfal”

Not what we give, but what we share,

For the gift without the giver is bare,

Who gives himself with his aid feeds three,

Himself, his hungering neighbor and me.

May these students from Osmena High School serve as models for other students to emulate.

May their tribe increase?

  

 5. Editorial of Argumentation – This is oftentimes called editorial of persuasion. The

editor argues in order to convince or persuade the reader to accept his stand on the issue.

Ex.: SCIENCE NOT CONFLICT WITH RELIGION

Can science be reconciled with religion?

There is no contradiction between science and religion when both are property

understood; what is needed is a proper knowledge of religion and a more scholarly interpretation

of the bible, the Koran, and other similar books, for there can never be a contradiction between

any truth revealed by God in the holy scriptures and any findings of science, properly tested and

verified.

Holy Scriptures of whatever religion are not textbooks of science. Their purpose is all

the same-to inculcate moral, spiritual, and religious truth.

The subject matter of science on the other hand is the physical universe. Its purpose is to

discover the law of nature.

Religion and science move in the essentially different orbits. Religion is concerned

primarily with spiritual realities with moral values, with the intangibles which elude both the

pills and the test tubes; science with matter and energy which can be seen, weighed, and

measured.

Religion has no fear of science. It does not tremble before discussion but before

ignorance. It welcomes with eager hospitality every new finding. Thus further man goes into

outer space, the better vision he has of GOD, and the deeper insight he acquires into the Divine

Administration of the universe.

Scientists are searching for the truth in the field of nature just as the moralists are

seeking to clarify the application of ethereal and eternal truth to the changing social and

economic conditions of modern life.

The church welcomes truth wherever it may be found in history, in Biblical

researchers, in psychological and natural fields of human inquiry. It welcomes every wise

thought and every useful discovery, whatever its origin.

6. Editorial of entertainment – It evokes a smile, a chuckle, laughter, while suggesting

truth. Its main aim is to entertain. It is usually short.

Ex.: Imagine a parent, a child or two in the car with him, rocketing down the highway, taking a

few slugs from a bottle of Jack Daniel’s as he goes. 

It’s unthinkable, really. It’s a picture from a horror film, a graphic lesson in how not to be a

parent. 

No one in his right mind would risk his children’s lives by behaving in such a foolhardy and

dangerous way. To say nothing of setting an astonishingly foul example. 

So why then do people routinely careen down the road, the kids in the car, with their eyes fixed

on their smartphones, sending and receiving text messages as though they were relaxing in the

recliner at home? 

Because the message might be important, right? It could be the boss. Or a change in dinner plans.

Or fan mail from some flounder. 

And so drivers routinely reach for the phone to take a look, taking their eyes off the road. It’s

dangerous, foolhardy in the extreme – and has got to stop. 

Not only does texting while driving put the driver, his passengers and others on the road at risk,

there’s new evidence showing that kids whose parents text while driving are more likely to do

the same once they are behind the wheel themselves. 

Text as I say and not as I text? 

Everyone has seen drivers whose attention is clearly not on the road as they focus on their phone.

They weave across the dividing line. They go too slow, then too fast, fail to brake until the last

second. It’s terrible. And terribly dangerous. And when these people are doing it with their kids

in the car, it is unconscionable. 

Texting motorists with kids who observe their wayward ways are unconsciously training a ne

generataion of badly behaved and dangerous drivers.

(http://www.masslive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/05/editorial_parents_who_text_whi.html)

7. Mood editorial – It presents a philosophy rather than an argument or an explanation.

Oftentimes, the subject matter is nature or emotion.

Ex.: THE CHALLENGE OF 1994

Old year 1993 with knitted brown, limping and hungry, black-eyed by student

demonstrations, social unrest, dirty, politics, criminality, kidnapping, and a revillion has just

departed, leaving behind great problems to Youthful 1994.

All around the country are tensions, miseries, and a starvation. Hunger stalks the land, as

different kinds of diseases inflict the people.

The poor and the unfortunate stage the same old story. The power of political

struggle and the growing strength of the NPA and Muslim rebels have crept even into the once

peaceful barrios throughout the country, while countless of millions look up to the sky with hope

for order, peace, and sobriety.

Now that the New Year is here, it is the time to take stock of and adjust ourselves

to a brighter tomorrow. Let us stand firmly, for the future depends on how we make it. All that

we do is only a matter of trials, struggles, and sacrifices.

But above all, let us practice peace and love of God and of our fellowmen.

8. Special occasion – It explains the significance of a special day or occasion.

Ex.: VALENTINE IS..

When some students began decorating their rooms with Valentine trimmings, a

critic asked, “Is it necessary to celebrate Valentines’ Day? Is not a good for nothing occasion like

Christmas?

Contrary to what the critic said, Valentine’s Day is not just a froth and flower

occasion devoid of any meaning at all. It has a distinct place and function in contemporary life;

otherwise its observance would have been dropped after the Vatican had declared St.

Valentine’s Day. To them, the existence of the patron saint is immaterial.

What is important is, that people still believe in the existence of love, love

between lovers, love between children and their elders, love among men, and love between man

and God.

These kinds of love are universal. They are the ties that bind the world together to

keep it from crumbling into hatred and wickedness.

* News is intended to inform and interpret while editorial is made to give or share the

opinions of the writer.

(http://journsociety01.wordpress.com/types-of-editorial/)

.

COMMON ERRORS

You didn’t take a side.

The stand and statements are very much easy to analyze.

There were too many rhetorical questions.

The wordings are too deep and exaggerated.

You made personal attacks.

You got off the topic.

Your argument lacked credibility.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

The topic should be interesting enough.

What you are stating must have basis.

Explain the issue objectively.

Give a realistic solution to the problem.

Keep it to 500 words.

Write in third person. Do not use ‘I’.

Make sure that every thought is original.

Use active voice.

Be fair, mature and reasonable.

“Read the editorial page of your local paper. It introduces you to opinion and can be terrifically provocative and perhaps a great motivating force for you to get involved in your community, regardless of your political ideology.” - Sarah Jessica Parker

Editorial News Quiz

1. What will possibly happen if a writer of an editorial does not take a side about the issue he talks about?

2. Why do you think must an editorial be written objectively?

3. Which among the types of editorials do you think is the easiest one to make? Why?

4. Why is an editorial important in a newspaper?

5. State three interesting topics which may be used in making an editorial.

EDITORIAL NEWS ACTIVITY

Make your own editorial with the use of the words provided below.

Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012

President Aquino

Supreme Court

“Filipino netizens”

Department of Justice

Discrimination/Bullying

LESSON 2 – PHOTOJOURNALISM

PHOTOJOURNALISM

Journalism is a process of literary tone which serves people by the dissemination of information. “Journalistic integrity is based on the principles of truth, disclosure, and editorial independence”.

WHAT IS PHOTOJOURNALISM

Photojournalism is a specific type of journalism in a form of a picture or image which tells news. It is the art of capturing a news story which should easily tell what has happened in one still image or a series of images.

It presents news for the general public. It tells a news story about people or events. It can serve as a stand-alone story. It helps keep record of events in history. It helps bring more to a story with an image that the story itself by only using

photographs. It becomes our window to the world around us.

WHEN AND HOW DID PHOTOJOURNALISM START

The very first journalistic photo was interpreted from engravings which were used to print the photos. Ȃ Carol Szathmari, a Roman painter and photographer, documented the Crimean War. His engraving technique started in 1853. It was first used in the American Civil War to print the photographs of Matthew Brady in his publication, Haper’s Weekly. Szathmari used a box camera to capture the image of British soldiers in the fields. The use of engravings for the printing of photos was very laborious and the prints were very limited in number.

In the 1930’s, the 35-mm Leica was introduced. It improved the ability of a photographer to continuously take photos of an occurring event. The printing methods were less laborious and the cameras were easily carried by photographers in most environments. This eventually resulted in the first golden age of photojournalism.

Robert Capa and Alfred Eistensteaed were much known during that time. Both have photographs that appeared on different magazines and newspapers. In the 1970’s, documentary photojournalism was introduced. Also, photojournalists began receiving recognition and appreciation from different parts in the world.

In the 1980’s, there were more artistic photos with headlines, graphics, and designs included. In the 1990’s, most photographers began shooting with color and the prints can be scanned by computers.

Nowadays, the use of film is outdated and is replaced by digital photography. Photojournalists use the most advance camera equipment, photo editing applications with various techniques and lighting skills.

(http://www.lightstalking.com/a-brief-history-of-photojournalism)

WHAT IS A PHOTOJOURNALIST

A photojournalist is a journalist who presents a story primarily with the use of images or photographs.

Some of the world’s most famous photojournalists:

Eddie Adams - was born on June 12, 1933. He covered thirteen wars when he was taking photographs of the Vietnam War. He had a very famous photograph which made him win the Pulitzer Price and World Press Photo award. He died on September 19, 2004in New York City.

Robert Capa - was born as Ernest Andrei Friedmann in 1913 in Budapest. He covered five different wars: the Spanish civil war, the Japanese invasion of China, World War II across Europe, the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and the First Indochina War. He worked for Collier’s Weekly and also for Life Magazine.

Lewis Hine - was born on September 16, 1874 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He studied sociology in three different colleges. He said that “the camera was both a research tool and an instrument of social reform. In 1904 he began to photograph the immigrants at Ellis Island. Later in 1908 “he became the photographer for the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC).

(http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/01585/purpose.html)

CATEGORIES

There are certain categories that were defined by the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) and are used in photojournalism contests. Some of these are as follows:

Feature – a photograph with a very strong human interest or a fresh view of an everyday scene which may use humor or may focus on the lighter side of life

Portrait – a single photograph that captures a unique aspect of a local figure’s character and personality

Sport action – a peak action photograph that captures the spirit of a sports competition

Sport feature – a sports-related picture that captures the victory or agony of defeat

General news – a photograph that recognizes a daily news coverage and is planned in advance

Spot news – a photograph which is not planned and may be of a breaking news event or a part of a news coverage

(http://uwyojournalism.com/?p=207)

CODE OF ETHICS

According to the President Emeritus of the NPPA, Alicia Wagner Calzada, photojournalists must live up to a high standard because ethics are “what sets us apart from art and advertising.” The NPPA have provided the Code of Ethics to be used as a guide for all visual or photojournalists.

1. Strive to ensure that the public's business is conducted in public. Defend the rights of access for all journalists.

2. Think proactively, as a student of psychology, sociology, politics and art to develop a unique vision and presentation. Work with a voracious appetite for current events and contemporary visual media.

3. Strive for total and unrestricted access to subjects, recommend alternatives to shallow or rushed opportunities, seek a diversity of viewpoints, and work to show unpopular or unnoticed points of view.

4. Avoid political, civic and business involvements or other employment that compromise or give the appearance of compromising one's own journalistic independence.

5. Strive to be unobtrusive and humble in dealing with subjects.

6. Respect the integrity of the photographic moment.

7. Strive by example and influence to maintain the spirit and high standards expressed in this code. When confronted with situations in which the proper action is not clear, seek the counsel of those who exhibit the highest standards of the profession. Visual journalists should continuously study their craft and the ethics that guide it.

(https://nppa.org/code_of_ethics)

THE PRACTICE OF PHOTOJOURNALISM

Concepts one must know about photojournalism:

Point of View – find different angles and unique aspects

Framing - look at all parts of what’s in the fame, not just the subject of the picture; above

all, fill the frame with the picture you want

Composition – Rule of thirds; it is when you are going to cut the whole frame into a 3x3

grid. You put the most important points of the photo on the intersection of the lines.

Lighting – know the source of light; learn to judge the lighting conditions (outside is

better than inside)

Distance – three types of photos:

Long Shot Medium Shot Close-up

Decisive moment – what tells the story of a news event, captures the elements of the day,

time, people, weather, subject; sometimes you can plan for this, sometimes you can’t be

ready

There are some instances that a photojournalist is disqualified from a particular

contest or has failed to maintain the trust of the audience because of violations. For example, one

has manipulated the color, lighting, has applied too much saturation or has altered portions in the

photo.

(http://www.jem200.com/lecture-notes/photojournalism-basics/)

WRITING A GOOD PHOTO CAPTION

“A picture is worth a thousand words.” This old saying clearly tells that a good picture

must have a good caption as well. Tips on how to write good captions are as follows:

1. Find the photo you are going to write the caption for. Look at it, and find the thoughts that

you are trying to communicate through the picture. How is it relevant to the article or topic?

Write down notes for best results.

2. Using the main idea of the picture, write a simple sentence that sums up everything that

is happening in it. Use two sentences if one is not enough but remember to stay short. For

example, “A giraffe calf with its mother at the crowded Zoo.

3. Add to the sentence/s where this is taking place. You can keep it short or be descriptive. To

add to your giraffe sentence, you would write, “A giraffe calf with its mother at the crowded

Zoo."

4. Add a little detail. Describe the main “character/s” of the picture, or give an interesting fact.

To your giraffe sentence, you would write, "A lanky newborn giraffe calf with its samson mother

at the crowded Zoo."

5. What is happening in the picture? Throw in some action to spice things up. For example,

your sentence would now be, "A lanky newborn giraffe calf stumbles around its enclosure

mother its mother at the crowded Zoo."

6. Polishing. Polish off your sentence and fix any possible spelling or grammatical errors.

(http://www.wikihow.com/Write-Good-Captions-in-Photojournalism)

ASSIGNMENTS OF A PHOTOJOURNALIST

SPORTS ASSIGNMENTS Sports Action - a photograph of any moment that occurs on the playing field

during the run of the game. Sports Feature - a picture that shows anything else: an angry coach in the locker

room, a frustrated player on the sideline, an anxious fan in the stands.

PORTRAIT ASSIGNMENTS - capture a person's personality Mug shots - comes from the definition, "to make faces." The challenge for

photographers is to make the mug shot more than a picture of a subject smiling for the camera.

Environmental Portrait. The environmental portrait not only shows what the subject looks like, but also reveals aspects of the sitter's personality by the foreground and background objects the person displays. It is a picture of a person AND that person's environment-NOT simply a picture of a person in an environment.

ILLUSTRATION ASSIGNMENTS - consists of food, fashion, and editorial subjects that has come under criticism by leaders in the field who worry about the rise in the use of set up, contrived and computer manipulated images.

PICTURE STORY ASSIGNMENTS - gives a photographer a chance to slow down and produce a package of pictures over a longer period of time. At its best, a picture story illuminates a serious city-wide social problem through the telling in words and pictures a particular person's plight.

“All photographs are memento mori. To take a photograph is to participate in another person’s (or thing’s) mortality, vulnerability, mutability. Precisely by slicing out this moment and freezing

it, all photographs testify to time’s relentless melt.” ― Susan Sontag

PHOTOJOURNALISM QUIZ

1. Why do you think was the Code of Ethics established by the NPPA or National Press Photographers Association?

2. Which is more appealing to you? Why?

or

3. What do you think was violated by the photojournalist with this photo?

PHOTOJOURNALISM ACTIVITY

Give your own understanding/interpretation for the following photos. Explain them in 3-5 sentences.

LESSON 3 – EDITORIAL CARTOON

WHAT IS AN EDITORIAL CARTOON?

An editorial cartoon, also referred to as Political Cartoon, is an illustration containing a commentary that is usually all about the current events or personalities. Also, it is the graphic expression of the creator’s ideas or opinions which usually reflects the publication’s viewpoint.

It is based on current events. It uses humor and satire to show a position about current issues. It has an educational purpose of making readers think about the current political issues. It must use a familiar visual and verbal vocabulary. It is published in a mass medium. (newspaper, magazines, web, etc.) It appears on the newspaper’s editorial page or front page.

A BRIEF HISTORY ON EDITORIAL CARTOONING

The English satirist, William Hogath had already made an editorial cartoon in the 18th century. His illustrations has a style which people called “Hogarthian”

However, Editorial cartoons already existed in the US even before the declaration of independence of the United States of America. Back in 1754, it was Benjamin Franklin, the Founding Father of America, who first drew and published a cartoon. He was never a professional cartoonist but he had a goal of uniting the colonies and be against the British. Instead of writing his thoughts, he drew it as an editorial cartoon.

After Franklin, editorial cartoons still continued. The drawings that were published were mostly about the American presidents. These early cartoons relied more on words and realistic artworks which were had very less humor compared to the cartoons now. During the 1870’s and 1880’s, Thomas Nast refined editorial cartooning into an art. He worked in New York and was called the Father of Modern American Editorial Cartoon.

Nowadays, editorial cartoons are still found and viewed in everyone’s daily newspaper. It still gets people to really think about a certain subject or form their own opinions about it.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Editorial_cartoon)

WHAT IS A CARTOONIST?

A cartoonist is a visual artist who specializes in drawing cartoons. They create cartoons for entertainment, political commentary, or for advertising. The largest organization of political cartoonists is the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC) which has over 300 members. The National Cartoonists Society in the United States also welcomes editorial cartoonists.

Some of the world’s most famous editorial cartoonist:

William Hogarth – was born on November 10, 1967. He was an English painter, pictorial satirist, social critic, and editorial cartoonist who had been credited with pioneering Western sequential art. He died on October 26, 1764.

Thomas Nast – was born on September 27, 1840. He was a German-born American caricaturist and editorial cartoonist who was considered to be the Father of the American Editorial Cartoon. He was also the scourge of Boss Tweed and the Tammany Hall political machine. He died on December 7, 1902.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Editorial_cartoonist)

TOOLS USED BY EDITORIAL CARTOONISTS TO COMMUNICATE IDEAS

Caricatures – drawing of public figures in which a certain physical feature is exaggerated; also serves to poke fun at the person they picture

Stereotypes – formulaic images used to represent particular groups (ex.: mother with messy hair, wearing an apron, and holding a screaming baby; a lazy, rich congressman; disorganized scientist)

Symbols – represent something else by tradition (ex.: a dove represents peace, Uncle Sam represent the United States of Amrica)

Analogies – comparisons that suggest that one thing is similar to something else (ex.: a title of a popular song, story, book, movie, or nursery rhyme used to comment to a current political event)

Humor – power to evoke laughter or to express what is amusing, comical, or absurd(http://hti.osu.edu/opper/editorial-cartoons)

WHAT IS A ‘GOOD’ EDITORIAL CARTOON?

Certain things are considered to know that an editorial cartoon is a good one.

It combines a clear drawing and a good writing. It expresses a recognizable point-of-view or opinion. Both the words and pictures must be read together in order to understand the cartoonist’s

message. It needs not to be very humorous to be considered effective.

STEPS AND TIPS IN MAKING AN EDITORIAL CARTOON

1. Ideas – Although original ideas hardly exist, there should be developments from everything that you read and see.

2. First Draft – After collecting your ideas, start doodling and shape your thoughts on a paper.

3. Start drawing your idea - Draw your cartoon, have patience and make sure that it is readable and makes sense.

4. Make sure that your idea shows symbolism – When it is a plain drawing with no symbolism, it is not a political cartoon.

5. Do not make the cartoon too easy to analyze – Make the cartoon understandable yet hard enough to make the readers think and have their own opinions.

6. Look and see if you understand. – Check if it makes sense yet is hard to analyze.

7. Add color or shading. – This adds life to your work.

8. If needed, create a title.

(http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Political-Cartoon)

Elements in Cartooning

• Captioning & labels – used for clarity and emphasis.

• Analogy – a comparison between two unlike things that share some characteristics.

• Irony – the difference between the way things are & the way things are expected to be.

• Exaggeration – magnifying a problem or a physical feature or habit (big nose, bushy eyebrows, large ears, baldness, etc.

• Symbolism – using an object to stand for an idea.

Common Political Cartoon Symbols

Philippine Government     -     president, Philippine flag

freedom and democracy  -     flying eagle

warfare                             -     hawk

fetus, baby                         -     new generation

peace                                 -     dove, olive branch, peace symbol

victory                               -     wreath of laurels

time                                    -     hourglass, big clock

death                                  -     skull and crossbones

danger                               -     cliff, falling objects, skull and crossbones, dark shades

hope                                   -     rainbow

slow pace                          -     snail, turtle

wealth and power             -     money bags, large and fat people

weak                                   -     small, thin people

court                                   -     bench

corrupt                               -     crocodile

typewriter                          -     press

(http://artists-spot.blogspot.com/2012/10/cartoon-symbols.html)

EDITORIAL CARTOON QUIZ

1. What is the importance of editorial cartoons?

2. What do you think is the most essential thing to consider when making an editorial cartoon?

3. Give the symbols used for the following cartoons and explain further how and why they were used.

EDITORIAL CARTOON ACTIVITY

Examine the cartoons below.

1.

Artist: Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune. Reprinted with Permission. What present and past events are shown in the cartoon?

2.

http://opinion.inquirer.net/71786/editorial-cartoon-february-20-2014

Give your own understanding on the cartoon above.