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Cartoon war….. A political dilemma! A semiotic analysis of political cartoons
Abstract
The paper attempts to evaluate Pakistani political cartoons as a casestudy in order to increase general understanding of the structuresand important features of political cartoons. Using quantoqualitativemeasures, current study is the semiotic analysis ofpolitical cartoons published during the general election campaign2013 in Pakistan. It analyses the ways cartoons were used ascommunicative tools on internet and print media to producesignificant meaning and dominant political themes. This was acrucial time when Pakistan was marred by Taliban attacks andwanted a way forward to a new beginning. The era had alsoreflected the most volatile period of Pakistan's political activityamong various political parties who utilized different mediums topersuade voters including print and electronic media. Furthermore,it explores the impact of cartoons on common people in thebackdrop of social, political, ethical and religious milieu.
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