Create your opinion cartoon

Question

The cartoon must display your views/opinion on a current topic. Use proper etiquette and be considerate of others' opinions because people are going to disagree. List at least 5 topics that are relevant to a student audience, this can be anything that is relevant to a student audience (7th). Whatever topic that is appropriate and relevant to the age group is suitable for the list, after you have created the list, pick ONE topic that is most important to you and determine your opinions on it. Next, list all the symbols that could be used for that topic, what type of scene would present your opinion, and what type of imagery would convey your opinion. If you are using text, determine what words would be present. But, your cartoon does not have to use words, you can communicate a lot of information through images alone.

(for this, describe a certain imagery you are drawing/painting)

Once you have determined the topic and opinion you are going to convey as well as the imagery and text you will use, create your original cartoon. Consider all of the elements of art and principles of design to ensure that your artwork is dynamic. The art elements of unity and emphasis should be key factors. You can use any medium to create your original cartoon, including a computer drawing program, pencil, colored pencils, or oil pastels to create your original cartoon.

After that, discuss the steps you took to develop your opinion cartoon. There are 8 steps and 4 reflection questions. (what successes did you have? what challenges did you face? what would you do differently? what did you learn as an artist?

Answer 1

Topics Relevant to a Student Audience

1. Mental Health Awareness: Promoting the importance of mental health resources in schools.
2. Climate Change and Environmental Action: Encouraging students to take action against climate change.
3. Cyberbullying: Addressing the issues surrounding online harassment and promoting kindness.
4. School Lunch Quality: Advocating for better nutritional choices in school lunches.
5. The Importance of Inclusivity: Highlighting the need for diversity and inclusion in schools.

Chosen Topic: Mental Health Awareness

Opinion: Mental health should be prioritized in schools, with accessible resources and supportive environments for students.

Symbols for the Topic

• Brain: Represents mental health and cognitive wellbeing.
• Heart: Symbolizes empathy and emotional support.
• Open Door: Denotes accessibility and openness to discussing mental health.
• Light Bulb: Represents ideas and awareness.
• Safety Net: A symbol for support systems that catch students when they’re struggling.

Scene Presentation

The scene can depict a school setting, perhaps a classroom or hallway. The cartoon could illustrate a teacher and a student having a conversation, with supportive friends gathered around to listen and offer help. There could also be a poster on the wall promoting mental health resources with a friendly face, encouraging students to seek help.

Imagery Description

In the foreground, I would draw the teacher with a bright, welcoming smile and an open body language, crouching next to a student who looks relieved while sharing their feelings. In the background, a poster would read “Talk About It!” with visuals of the brain and heart, encouraging students to speak up. Friends would be shown with supportive expressions, one delivering a comforting hug.

Text Elements

• Above the scene, a dialogue bubble from the teacher saying, “Remember, it’s okay to talk about how you feel!”
• A small banner at the bottom that reads: “You’re not alone—let’s support each other!”

Steps to Develop the Opinion Cartoon

1. Research the Topic: I read articles about mental health in schools and gathered statistics to understand its importance better.
2. Brainstorm Ideas: I drafted different scenarios that convey the message of support and openness about mental health.
3. Sketch Initial Concepts: I created quick sketches to visualize the scene and how the characters would interact.
4. Choose Colors and Medium: I opted for colored pencils for a bright, inviting look, symbolizing hope.
5. Refine the Drawing: I created a more detailed sketch based on the initial ideas, focusing on clarity and emotional expressions.
6. Add Text Elements: I carefully added dialogues and slogans, ensuring they matched the tone of the drawing.
7. Finalize the Artwork: I went over the lines and added color, paying attention to unity and emphasis within the composition.
8. Review and Revise: I took a step back to ensure the message was clear and made any final adjustments needed.

Reflection Questions

1. What successes did you have?

   • I successfully conveyed a positive message through supportive imagery and clear dialogue, making the cartoon relatable and engaging for students.

2. What challenges did you face?

   • I found it challenging to ensure that the emotions of the characters were portrayed authentically without making it too heavy.

3. What would you do differently?

   • In hindsight, I might have added more diverse characters to represent the variety of students who might benefit from these conversations.

4. What did you learn as an artist?

   • I learned the importance of emotional expression in art and how imagery can effectively communicate complex topics like mental health awareness without overcomplicating the message.