A Comparative Multimodal Stylistics Analysis of Selected Newspapers Cartoons

Abstract

This study focuses on the comparative multimodal stylistic analysis of selected newspapers cartoons. A comparative study of newspapers cartoon juxtaposes two or more newspaper cartoon brands. Multimodality entails the mode(s) employed in a cartoon to portray  meaning. The data for the study comprises ten cartoons selected through the purposive random sampling technique between 2020 and  2021 from The Punch, The Nation and The Guardian newspapers respectively. Data were analysed using Halliday’s meta-function of  language in his Systemic Functional Grammar. It was discovered that framing, salience and linking layout are handy analytical tools in  carrying out a multimodal analysis; each brand communicates its thoughts in a unique way with salient similarities and it was discovered  that newspaper cartoons also lament the current tragic occurrence in society. This study concludes that visual mode is the lifeblood of a  newspaper cartoon while the verbal mode only complements cartoon but cannot stand alone as a newspaper cartoon.