8.7.6: Memes and TikToks as Political Cartoons

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Political cartoons and comics, as well as memes and TikToks, are pictures with a purpose. Writers and artists use these genres to entertain, persuade, inform, and express fiction and nonfiction ideas creatively and imaginatively.

Like political cartoons and comics, memes and TikToks have the potential to provide engaging and memorable messages that can influence the political thinking and actions of voters regarding local, state, and national issues.

Video \(\PageIndex{1}\): Video accompanying Building Democracy for All, Topic 7, Standard 6. Uploaded by Umass Democracy for All. YouTube source: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfzWdp4o8sc.

In this activity, you will evaluate the design and impact of political memes, TikToks, editorial cartoons, and political comics and then create your own to influence others about a public issue.

Activity: Analyze Political Cartoons, Memes, and TikToks

Examine the following editorial cartoons, memes, and TikToks using the Teacher and Student Guide to Analyzing Cartoons, Comics, and Memes & the Teacher and Student Guide to Analyzing Social Media:
- Editorial Cartoons
  - Editorial Cartoons for Monday, June 1, 2020 (HeraldNet)
  - In the cartoons: Executive privilege; U.N. biodiversity report; Trade wars (Saint Louis Post-Dispatch, May 9, 2019)
  - 2020 presidential election cartoons (Newsday, June 22, 2020)
  - Political Cartoon: Trump-Biden debate (The Week)
- Memes
  - Even More Memes about the Spicy Presidential Elections (Memes.com)
  - These are the Internet's favorite memes from the first presidential debate of 2020 (NBC News, Sept. 30, 2020)
  - 'Worse than Real Housewives fight': Trump-Biden Presidential debate triggers meme fest online (TimesNow News, Sept. 30, 2020)
- TikToks
  - www.tiktok.com/@anania00/video/6878105995684367622
  - www.tiktok.com/@emilyesenn/video/6877587251593891078
  - The Political Pundits of TikTok
Using what you learned during your analysis of editorial cartoons, memes, and TikToks, create your own meme or TikTok about a political issue you care about.
Consider the following:
- What is the message(s) of your meme or TikTok?
- How will you effectively communicate your message?
- How will your meme or TikTok inspire a change in thinking and/or behavior about the political issue you chose?
- How do you imagine your creation will fare in comparison to more typical, written opinion pieces or editorial cartoons? Which do you think is more effective?

Additional Resources

Analyzing Political Cartoons
The Hidden Biases of Internet Memes
Political cartoonists are out of touch – it’s time to make way for memes (The Conversation)
Political Cartoonists Impact Presidential Races (US News, 2008)

Connecting to the eBook

Building Democracy for All: 7.6 Analyzing Editorials, Editorial Cartoons, or Op-Ed Commentaries

Connecting to the Standards

Massachusetts Civics & Government Standards
- Analyze the point of view and evaluate the claims of an editorial, editorial cartoon, or op-ed commentary on a public issue at the local, state or national level. (Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for History and Social Studies) [8.T7.6]
ISTE Standards
- Digital Citizen
  - 2c: Students demonstrate an understanding of and respect for the rights and obligations of using and sharing intellectual property.
- Knowledge Constructor
  - 3b: Students evaluate the accuracy, perspective, credibility and relevance of information, media, data, or other resources.
  - 3d: Students build knowledge by actively exploring real-world issues and problems, developing ideas and theories and pursuing answers and solutions.
- Creative Communicator
  - 6a: Students choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication.
  - 6b: Students create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations.
  - 6d: Students publish or present content that customizes the message and medium for the intended audiences.
DLCS Standards
- Ethics and Laws (CAS.b)
- Interpersonal and Societal Impact (CAS.c)
- Digital Tools (DTC.a)
- Collaboration and Communication (DTC.b)
English Language Arts > History/Social Studies Common Core Standards
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.5
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.6
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.8
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.5
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.6
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.8
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.5
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.6