Audience Perception of the Use of Cartoons in Newspapers

Audience Perception of the Use of Cartoons in Newspapers.

ABSTRACT

Cartoons has more recently become a more prominent feature in newspapers. An increasing number of publishers and editors has realized its relevance and are beginning to exploit its full potentials.

Despite its usefulness and popularity in many media houses, one wonders, as replete and common placed as these cartoons are in newspapers, do they command the attention, yet alone the readership of the reading audience?

Hence, this researcher sort to know the pattern and trend of: Audience perception of the use of cartoons in newspapers using Awka Urban as a case study. Employing the survey research method enabled by administering self-administered questionnaire,

this study found out that newspaper readership and cartoon in newspaper readership is generally high among Awka Urban residents.

With the humor and inherent message being the major reasons why readers read cartoons in newspapers, it is clear that cartoons are not seen as mere pieces of drawings to make readers laugh,

rather it leaves a trail of telltale in its wake. Even though this study reveals that cartoons are not essentially why people buy newspapers, many newspaper readers do not consider their reading experience complete without reading one or two cartoons.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page                                                                                                    i

Declaration                                                                                                 ii

Certification Page                                                                                     iii

Dedication                                                                                                  iv

Acknowledgement                                                                                     v

Table of Contents                                                                                      vii

Abstract                                                                                                      xii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of Study                                                                             2

1.2 Statement of Problem                                                                          6

1.3 Purpose of Study                                                                                   7

1.4 Objectives of Study                                                                               7

1.5 Research Questions                                                                              8

1.6 Scope of Study                                                                                        9

1.7 Significance of Study                                                                             9

1.8 Definition of Terms                                                                              10

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 An Overview of Print Media Messages                                            11

2.1 History of Cartoon                                                                                12

2.2 History of Cartooning In Nigeria                                                      15

2.3 Form of Satire in Nigeria                                                                    16

2.4 Modern Cartooning In Nigeria                                                         16

2.5.1 Importance of Newspaper Cartoons                                             23

2.5.2 Functions of Newspaper Cartoons                                               24

2.6 Review of Literature                                                                           26

2.7 Theoretical Framework                                                                      28

2.8 Review of Relevant Empirical Research                                         30

2.9 Summary                                                                                               32

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY     

3.1 Introduction                                                                                         33

3.2 Research Design                                                                                  33

3.3 Area of Study                                                                                        34

3.4 Population of Study                                                                             34

3.5 Sampling Technique and Size                                                           34

3.6 Research Instrument for Data Collection                                       37

3.7 Content Validity                                                                                    38

3.8 Data Collection Method                                                                      38

3.9 Method of Data Analysis                                                                     38

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Data Presentation                                                                                 39

4.1.1 Response Rate                                                                                    39

4.1.2 Demographics Variables                                                                  40

4.1.3 Analysis of Physiographic Variables                                              42

4.2 Analysis of Research Questions                                                         49

4.3 Discussion of Findings                                                                         50

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Summary                                                                                              52

5.2 Conclusion                                                                                           53

5.3 Recommendations                                                                             54

5.4 Limitations                                                                                           54

References                                                                                              56     

Appendix                                                                                                 59

INTRODUCTION

Ever since the first appearance of cartoon in newspaper, it has remained one of the most integral parts of newspaper. It plays different roles depending on the cartoon and caption used. Cartoon for many is for entertainment and funny graphics.

One of the major reasons for using cartoon in newspapers is to set agenda on current issue or matter which may neither be expressed by news and features including editorial page.

Cartoons have over the years become a major feature of newspaper and magazine content in Nigeria. A panoramic observation would reveal that most daily newspapers and weekly magazines publish various cartoons and comic strips.

The Punch, the Guardian, New Nigerian, Nigerian Tribune, Tell, Newswatch, the News, etc, all publish cartoons and comic strips on social, political and economic affairs of the country or as illustrations of some editorial matter.

Some of these cartoons have become so popular that some newspapers and magazines are sought by some readers because of their cartoons.

Cartoons in newspapers is used by media houses to pass various messages across to its readers but it seems that most readers now view cartoons in newspapers as a source of humor only. This study will show the functions of cartoons in newspapers, its importance and also audience perception of cartoons in newspapers.

REFERENCES

Adelson, Candace (1994). European tapestry in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Minnesota: Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

Adler, John; Hill, Draper (2008). Doomed by Cartoon: How Cartoonist Thomas Nast and the New York Times Brought Down Boss Tweed and His Ring of Thieves. Morgan James Publishing. ISBN 978-1-60037-443-2.

Appelbaum & Kelly 1981, p. 15. Albert Boime, “Thomas Nast and French Art,” American Art Journal (1972) 4#1 pp. 43–65

Becker, Stephen D.; Goldberg, Rube (1959). Comic Art in America: A Social History of the Funnies, the Political Cartoons, Magazine Humor, Sporting Cartoons, and Animated Cartoons. Simon & Schuster.

Bishop, Franklin (2009). Cartoonist’s Bible: An Essential Reference for Practicing Artist. London: Chartwell Books. ISBN 978-0-7858-2085-7.

Blackbeard, Bill, ed. (1977). The Smithsonian Collection of Newspaper Comics. Smithsonian Inst. Press.

Charles Press (1981). The Political Cartoon. Fairleigh Dickinson University Press. p. 34.

 David Smith.(2008) The Observer, Timeless appeal of the classic joke

Encarta Microsoft. (2000) “History of the cartoon.ccbg.org.uk. 23 July 2011 http://www.ccgb.org.uk/Pages/history_of_the_cartoon.html.

Folkes, M. (1963).  Cartoons‖, in Peter. P (ed) Drawing book. London.

CSN Team.

Comments are closed.

Hey Hi

Don't miss this opportunity

Enter Your Details