1. Which of the cartoons in the readings do you find most amusing? Explain why.

2. Bill Waterson states in “The Comics in Transition” that comics are a “potent combination of words and pictures”. He also suggests that the medium is a difficult one to present controversial subjects or opinions in. What factors make this a difficult medium to express controversial issues in? Do you agree?

3. Watterson shows animals acting like people. What type of literary device is this?

4. The key element of humor is often the conflict between the punch line and the initial expectation. Read the cartoon below and identify the initial expectation and the punch line conflict.

a. Initial Expectation:

b. Punch Line:

5. What is the message presented by the above cartoon?

Find your own. Not everyone loves Calvin and Hobbes, but there are many comic strips to choose from. In this activity you will:

Locate examples of other comics and describe the message that is presented. Describe how humor, irony, or imagery is used to make the message clear to the viewer. Explain whether you feel the comic strip is an effective medium for the message presented.

Instructions:

1. Use one of the following websites to read and select three comic strips that you feel have a clear message in the humor that they deliver.

a. http://www.gocomics.com/explore/comics b. http://news.yahoo.com/comics/

2. Copy and paste the comic onto a word document or google doc.3. Below each comic strip,

a. Write a complete sentence that explains the message presented by the comic strip.b. Write a complete sentence that explains what comic tools help this comic be

entertaining or funny. Identify irony, humor, or imagery that you feel is being used effectively.

c. Explain whether you feel the comic is a good choice for promoting the message identified.

Limited= 1 Complete= 2 Proficient= 3Three Comics identified.Explanation of Comic message.Identification of comic tools.Opinion of comic media’s effectiveness.Total /12