The early views of evolution in this cartoon could make it an important source.
Political cartoons can be powerful means of getting the public to view an issue or person in a new light -- or an effective way to voice a strong opinion in a concise, witty way. Especially in today's visual society, a cartoon can attract more readers, and thus influence more people than the pithiest editorial. Knowing properly cite a political cartoon is important, since they easily bolster any thesis and show graphically the attitude of the society that produced it.
Instructions
1. Find the author's name. Sometimes this will be printed adjacent to the cartoon, other times there will only be a signature in the corner. Write whatever information you can find last name first, first name, then middle initial.
2. Write the title in quotation marks. If it does not have a formal title, use the caption.
3. Write "Cartoon."
4. Cite the publication or website by either underlining or italicizing it.
5. Write the date published in the "day month year" format. If there is no date provided, write "n.d."
6. Find the publication's volume, edition and section, if applicable.
7. Write the page number with a period, then write "Print" or "Web."
8. If the cartoon is online, write the date it was accessed followed by a period. Although unnecessary under MLA 7 rules, if the cartoon cannot be located without it, or if your instructor requires it, put the URL.
A finished citation for the cartoon seen above would look like this:
"The Lion of the Season." Cartoon. "Punch." 25 May 1861. Web. 5 June 2011.
