A child's face is half obscured by a tablet he is using in front of him. Behind him, a total eclipse of the sun is happening. A sign reads "Total eclipse 2017." Nate Beeler. The Columbus Dispatch. August 18, 2017. Permission courtesy of Cagle Cartoons Inc.

As you analyze the editorial cartoon, look carefully at the literary devices and elements used in the cartoon. Apply the strategy to evaluate the effectiveness of the cartoon. Explain your evaluation and include details about the cartoon as support.

Sample response: The cartoon is effective for several reasons. First, it is on a familiar topic. The overuse of tablets and smartphones is an issue that many people know about. Having a child with his face buried in a tablet satirizes the priorities of children today. Also, readers can easily grasp the cartoonist’s perspective that these gadgets keep us from enjoying the world around us. As the boy studies his tablet, he misses the total eclipse in the background. The cartoon is also amusing, which engages readers. At the same time, it makes us think and persuades us that children should use technology only on a limited basis.

Explanation: