Editorial cartoon : Political cartoon

An editorial cartoon, also known as a political cartoon is an illustration or comic strip containing a political or social message.

Editorial cartoons can be very diverse, but there is a certain established style among most of them. Most editorial cartoons use visual metaphors[?] and caricatures to explain complicated political situtations, and thus sum up a current event with a humorous picture.

Over the years, certain common metaphors and symbols have been repeatedly used by many different cartoonists. Examples include the use of a Donkey to represent the Democratic Party, Uncle Sam to represent the United States, a dragon to represent China, and so forth.

Editorial cartoons can usually be found on the editorial page[?] of most newspapers, althought some, like Garry Trudeau's Doonesbury are found on the regular comics page.