Oxford Dictionary Notes on 'Discussing Pictures and cartoons'

 DISCUSSING PICTURES AND CARTOONS 

This task may occur in written or spoken examinations. Describing photographs or pictures can be similar to interpreting cartoons. There may not be a caption or any speech.

but the photo can still have a message. You can also discuss the effect it has on you. 

~ PARAGRAPH 1 - DESCRIPTION 

1. General description

2. Detailed description 

3. Caption or speech bubble 

~ PARAGRAPH 2-4 - ARTISTIC TECHNIQUES 

1. Technique 1 - detail

2. Technique 2 - emphasis 

3. Technique 3 - exaggeration 

4. Technique 4 - symbolism 

~ PARAGRAPH 5 - MESSAGE 

1. Use of irony

~ PARAGRAPH 6 - Personal reaction 

WRITING A DESCRIPTION AND INTERPRETATION 

Follow these steps when you prepare for this task. Think about the questions and make notes; then, when you write, use some of the phrases in the language banks and take notes of the tips. 

STEP 1 - DESCRIPTION 

-- The scene 

1. What is the scene in the cartoon/picture?

2. Where is it?

3. What are the major features 

-- Details :

1. Who/what is in the picture?

2. What are they doing?

3. What is happening?

LANGUAGE BANK 

The scene is of...(e.g. a cafe in which two people)

The cartoon shows/depicts...

There is/are...(e.g. two people who look angry.)

In the center of the cartoon is/are...,(who/which...)

At the top/bottom of the cartoon is/are...

On the left/right...

In the foreground/background...

The central feature of the cartoon is...

You can use prepostions e.g. BEHIND the houses

Avoid using : I/you can see...,; in the picture... 

TIPS 

1. Only describe the details that are important for the message.

2. Try to avoid using short simple sentences such as : In the centre is a man. He is shouting. 

Relative sentences are particularly useful: In the centre is a man who is shouting.

THE CAPTION OR SPEECH BUBBLE:

1. What is written in the caption or in any speech bubbles?

2. Who is talking and to whom?

LANGUAGE BANK 

The captain reads"..."

One man is saying to the other"..."

The woman is asking whether...

He/she is commenting that...

He/she is wondering whether...(to go/he/she should go...)

STAGE 2 - INTERPRETATION 

TIP

1. Start a new paragraph for this section. Give evidence and reasons for your interpretations. 

-- Artistic Technique :

How does the artist draw attention to important parts of the cartoons/pictures? Does he/she use: 

1. Detail? Where?

2. Emphasis? What is emphasized? How?

3. Exaggeration? What is exaggerated?

4. Symbolism?Which objects or people are symbols? What do they mean?

LANGUAGE BANK 

The focus of attention is on...

X is/are drawn in detail, (Which shows/to show...)

X stand(s) out because of the...

The most important element in the cartoon is...

This aspect of the cartoon indicates...

The X symbolize(s)/represent(s)...

The cartoonist has exaggerated X (in order to.../because...)

The reason for this is that...

Use your dictionary to find synonyms so that you use a wide range of vocabulary, e.g. clearly/obviously; indicate/show

MESSAGE 

1. What is the cartoon/picture really about?

2. What is the artist trying to say?

3. How does he/she try to persuade you? Does he/she use irony(contrasting the way the cartoon shows things wiht the way they really are) or ANALOGY (Using simple situation to make a more complex situation clear)?

LANGUAGE BANK

The cartoon s about/refers to/deals with...

The cartoon has to do with...

The cartoonist is obviously trying to show...

What the cartoon is saying is that...

I take/understand the cartoon to mean that...

STAGE 3 - PERSONAL REACTION 

1. Do you agree or disagree with the message?

2. Why?

TIP

1. Start a new paragraph for this section.

LANGUAGE BANK 

Personally, I believe that the cartoonist is right...

I only partly/partially agree with the artist's message because...

In my opinion/view, the artist is wrong, because...

Use phrases such as I think...; In my opinion...; or it seems to me that...

Do not use According to me/my opinion...