Influence of Cartoon on News Paper Readership Among Student; A Study of University of Lagos, Akoka
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The Main Objective of the research is to proffer an appraisal of the influence of cartoons on newspaper readership among students; A case study of the University of Lagos Akoka; The specific objectives include
To determine the relevance of the cartoon.
To determine the influence of cartoons on newspaper readership among students.
To determine the influence of cartoons on newspaper readership among students of University of Lagos Akoka.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
CARTOONS
The word ―cartoon according to blogs as searched from the internet via: (http//www.answers.com/topic/thehistoryofthecartoon), is often used as an umbrella term for a number of art forms consisting of drawings with or without words. Coming under this broad generalization are caricatures, cartoons, comic strips and animations. While the first three come under the print media, the last refers to drawing made lively through electronic process and, hence, possibly only in the television and film media Before the introduction of the term cartoon in its modern sense in the 19th century, satirical and humorous drawings of all kinds were referred to as caricatures. Today ―caricature‖ is used mostly to refer to distorted portraiture that emphasizes the characteristic traits of an individual; it may either stand on its own or form part of a cartoon. Beyond these central forms, the term cartoon has also been applied to comics, television and film animation, multi-frame jokes published in newspapers, continuity strips, graphic novels, humorous advertising, humorous book and magazine illustrations, and satirical puppetry. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica: Caricature, cartoon and comic strips are related forms. Historically, they arose in the order given, but all have flourished together. All use the same artistic medium of drawing, printmaking, caricature and the element of satire are usually present in each. Cartoons are said to be slightly distinct from caricature and comics strips in that they are drawings with or without captions which makes a point in an amusing, satirical or humorous way. Usually, their targets are political and public affairs but they focus on other subjects. Various definitions have been proffered for the term cartoons. According to Webster’s Universal Dictionary and Thesaurus, a cartoon is a humorous picture dealing with current reproduction on a fresco painting with exaggerations or distortion of characteristic features. A fresco is a picture that is painted on a wall while the plaster is still wet. A comic strip, it also says, is a series of drawing that depicts a story in stages. According to Concise Oxford English Dictionary Thumb Index Edition, a cartoon is a drawing executed in an exaggerated style for humorous or satirical effect. Danny De Laet (1979: 76) defines a cartoon as a forceful idea quickly expressed in a few strokes of the pen, explosive enough to catch the eye, but sufficiently stylized and disguised in such a way that the target figures should not recognize themselves, or if they did, would be unable to prosecute the cartoonist for having depicted them with too much realism. A cartoon is, therefore, the modernized, economical, straightforward and more direct version of the old lampoon or humorous drawing that was used during the 19th century. According to Jegede (1999: 183), The cartoon may be described as a conundrum, a graphic phantom that does not always signify what it implies, a medium that at once affirms and denies. It possesses pictorial qualities that facilitate the codification of messages in succinct, subtle or hidden form. Generally, one might say that cartoon refers to any drawing which through the use of humour, satire or caricature provokes a response in an audience. The Encyclopaedia Britannica defines cartoon as a pictorial parody; a multiplied reproduced analogy and ludicrous juxtaposition, frequently highlighted by written dialogues or commentary which sharpens the public view of a contemporary event, folkway or political or social trend. Cartoon (humorous drawing), pictorial sketch or caricature, by implication humorous or satirical, are usually published in a newspaper, magazine or periodical.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine Influence of Cartoon on News Paper Readership Among Student. Study of University of Lagos Akoka form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain influence of Cartoon on News Paper Readership Among Student. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing influence of Cartoon on News Paper Readership Among Student
Summary
This study was on influence of Cartoon on News Paper Readership Among Student. Three objectives were raised which included: To determine the relevance of cartoon, to determine the influence of cartoon on newspaper readership among student and to determine the influence of cartoon on newspaper readership among students of university of Lagos Akoka. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from Study of University of Lagos Akoka. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
It is an incontrovertible fact that cartoons have slowly but surely become an integral and significant content in contemporary newspapers. Many newspaper publishers and editors have come to realize that cartoons are not just mere editorial items that are flippantly tucked away in the bottom corner of the inner pages of newspapers. Now, cartoons are seen as major editorial weapon‘ that are strategically and conspicuously placed in prominent pages. Amongst other numerous functions, cartoons not only tell the story behind the story, they tell the why‘ behind the ‗what‘ and make you reflect over issues that we would otherwise gloss over. In an academic community such as University of Lagos, the newspaper readership and newspaper cartoon readership rate was generally high among the students and even higher among the lecturers, expectedly so. Yet, very few University of Lagos students read newspapers on a daily basis, citing a busy academic schedule and a somewhat drab and dour outlook of some of the dailies as the reason they do not read newspapers on a daily basis. Lecturers and students alike read newspaper cartoons both for the humour value and the message value. Even at this, reading cartoons is not one of the reasons University of Lagos lecturers and students buy newspapers because of the desire to. Demographic attributes like age and sex had little influence on newspaper cartoon readership among students but no effect at all on newspaper cartoon readership among lecturers. The Punch Newspaper‘s cartoons peaked as the overwhelming favourite of University of Lagos lecturers and students.
Recommendation
Cartoonists should steer clear of issues that can cause libel because libel costs millions.
Religion, ethnicity, tribalism, sectionalism and bigotry should be downplayed in cartoons, and where possible done away with. It is a known saying that people are very passionate and sensitive about their religion and this has caused many conflicts, hence, caution and restraint should be the watchword.
This point should not be lost on cartoonists, and in fact should be made manifest in the art and art of cartooning.
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