Editorial Cartoon

Editorial cartoon is a tool for conveying a paper’s stand on certain issues.

Editorial cartoon provides visual, usually in light vein, for the message. The aim of the
editorial cartoon is to exert influence as well as to entertain. Some newspapers prefer that
the themes of their cartoons jibe with those of the editorial. In other papers, the editorial
cartoons have themes of their own.
Cartoons may be good-natured or humorous or they can be serious and
sophisticated. Sometimes, they can also be satirical. What is important is that cartoons
should not reveal all; something must be left to the reader’s imagination.

Source: Journalism for Filipinos

Alito L. Malinao

The newspaper page reserved for the editorial section also includes editorial
cartoons. Editorial cartoons are actually editorials in pictorial forms. They contain an
argument, often suggested on the basis of an emotional appeal, which may be more
readily grasped by the readers than the point in the editorial.
Editorial cartoons depict social, economic, political, cultural, and historical
conditions which may catch the attention of the readers.
The editorial cartoons are primarily designed to crystallize ideas regarding current
affairs of the changing society. Admittedly, the cartoons serve as potent vehicle for
ridicule, for criticism and also to entertain or to influence on the part of the reading
public.
Cartoons play a vital and effective function in influencing public opinion. Its
force lies in the ease with which the reader can catch the point of the drawing. Effective
cartoon deals with a single idea. Any line or word that detracts from the simple unity of
the subject is superfluous.
While the subject matter covers a wide range of ideas and purposes, the typical
cartoons deals with ideas and problems which have political and social significance.
Some cartoonists achieve their purposes by treating al subjects good-naturedly or
humorously. Others exert an influence on the public by using a serious start or
sophisticated approach.
Whether the cartoons are printed on the print page or editorial page of the
newspaper, the cartoon actually supplements the editorial comments and interpretations
by using the effective and universal language of pictures to reach and influence the
public.

Source: Journalism Notes