THE IMPORTANCE OF CARTOON IN NEWSPAPER JOURNALISM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page                                                                                i

Certification                                                                            ii

Dedication                                                                              iii

Acknowledgement                                                                  iv

Table of contents                                                          vi

Lists of Tables                                                                        vii

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.  Background to the study                                                1                                      
   1.  Statement of the problem                                               5
   1.  Objectives of the study                                                    6
   1.  Research Question                                                          6
   1.  Significance of the study                                       7
   1.  Scope of the study                                                           8
   1.  Operational Definition of Terms                                     8                                                                                                                          

CHAPTER TWO

2.1    Theoretical Framework                                                10

2.2    Conceptual Framework                                               12

2.3    Research Study Review                                                20                                                      

CHAPTER THREE

Research Methodology                                                         

3.1 Research Method                                                              22

3.2    Population of the Study                                               22

3.3    Sample Size and Sampling Techniques                      23    

3.4    Instrumentations                                                         23

3.5    Validity and Reliability of the Instrument                   23

3.6    Method of Administration of the Instrument              24

3.7    Method of Data Analysis                                              24

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1    Analysis Of field Performance                                     25

4.2    Analysis of the Demographic Segment                        25

4.3    Analysis of Data on the Research Question               28

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1    Summary                                                                      37

5.2    Limitations to the Study                                               38    

5.3   Conclusion                                                                     39

5.4    Recommendations                                                        40

          References                                                                    42

LIST OF TABLES AND ILLUSTRATION

     Pages

4.2.1.  Distribution of the Respondents by Age                   25

4.2.2   Distribution of the respondents by Sex          26    

4.2.3   Distribution by Marital Status                                  27

4.2.4   Distribution by Academic Qualifications                  27

4.3.1   Do you like cartoon in Newspaper                            28

4.3.2   Does cartoon play any role in the communicative life of its audience? 29

4.3.3   How functional will you rate cartoon as a means of communication? 30

4.3.4   Does cartoon messages change one’s view towards an event 31

4.3.5   Does the message channel its audience attention to the desired motive 32

4.3.6   Do you prefer cartoon illustrations as easy understandable to written words 33

4.3.7        Do you prefer cartoon to written words because of its entertainment value 34

4.3.8        Do you prefer cartoon to written words because it’s more actionable and requires few words description. 35

4.3.9        Is cartoon generally accepted as a means of communication in newspaper journalism. 36

4.3.10       How extensive is cartoon illustration being used in newspaper journalism.  37

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

        Essential, communication is the root of world creation. It is the basic of human existence living and interrelating. It is also the socio cultural system of the people of the world. According to Mac Bride (1981 pg 3) says “Communication maintains and animates life, it is the motor and expression of social activity and civilization. It creates a common pool of ideas, strengthens the felling of togetherness through exchange of messages and translates, reflecting every emotion, and need from the humblest task of human survival to manifestation of creativity or destruction”.

        Communication cements our social interaction with other people. It is a living mechanism which links together any organism but when there is a breakdown in communication, the organisms also breaks.

        The need for communication is at least tantamount to the need for information. By getting people informed of the happenings in other part of the country and the globe, newspaper helps to broaden the people’s horizon and in this corollary serve as a force of cohesion or as an internet for binding together the different human communities.

        It is therefore, not debatable, to say or to conclude that it is this dynamic attempt to inform the people and broaden their horizon through newspaper; which has over the years brought about the use of cartoons, pictures and other illustrations to supplement and complement the printed or written words.

        Thus, it has been observed that not only written words serve as a means of conveying information to the general public. Some other means have been closely observed, these have brought about the inception of “Cartooning as a means of communication or especially in newspaper journalism.

        With these observations, it has made us to carryout research on the “Importance of cartooning in newspaper journalism”.

Cartoon, according to chambers twentieth century dictionary, is “a comic or satirical drawing commenting on current events or politics”. Viewed from what it does rather than what it is, cartooning may be summed up as “graphic”.

Cartooning reflects social attitude and provide a vehicle through which people can voice feeling for which there is no socially acceptable or easy accessible outlet.

It provides a vehicle for expressing man different kinds of attitudes. It dramatically cuts through defenses, conveys, collective surreptitious approval or disapproval tackles taboo subjects and expresses ideas very simple and compelling. The purpose of cartooning is not totally different from Harold Lasswell’s functions of the press summed up this surveillance, correlation and transmission of cultural heritage.

Cartoonings, for example are basically meant to bring about social changes, most times combine other functions such as education information and entertainment.

In summation, cartoon is a good sample of an illustration in newspaper and as an illustration, it gives aesthetics to newspaper pages.