Make Your Point > Archived Issues > CARICATURE

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explore the archives: If you're a caricaturist, you draw caricatures: you either literally sketch amusing, distorted drawings of people's faces; or figuratively, you spread distorted representations of who people really are. That might remind you of another kind of "artist" who manipulates reality: a w___-p___er, or someone who yanks on the strings that control puppets, literally or figuratively. make your point with... "CARICATURE" A literal caricature is a drawing of someone that exaggerates the person's facial features in a ridiculous, funny way. For example, someone with pretty big ears would have absolutely enormous ears in her caricature. (Here's a Google Images link if you're not sure what caricatures look like.) Figuratively, a caricature is a cartoonishly exaggerated image, copy, or impersonation of someone. Pronunciation: CARE ick uh chure Part of speech: Both a noun (a caricature, the caricature, two caricatures) and a verb (to caricature somebody). Other forms: caricatures; caricatured, caricaturing; caricaturish; caricaturist(s) Why it's not spelled "charicature:" Yes, a caricature is an exaggerated or oversimplified characterization of someone, but "caricature" doesn't have "h" like in "character." They're unrelated: "caricature" came from a Latin word meaning "to load" or "to exaggerate," while "character" came from a Greek one meaning "an engraved mark." How to use it: You most often use "caricature" like any other countable noun, often following it with "of:" "check out this caricature of the president," "that reputation of his is only a caricature," "she's so ridiculous that she's become a caricature of herself," "the publication only presents these actors as caricatures." But you can also use "caricature" like an uncountable noun: "only by caricature do we understand these historical figures," "their flat, hasty, unresearched analysis of our department amounts to nothing more than caricature." To use the verb, talk about people who caricature things or other people: "they tried to imitate the painting but merely caricatured it," "as part of the sketch comedy show, he caricatures politicians," "even her supporters caricature her now and again." examples: Of all the regular caricatures on Saturday Night Live, Will Ferrell as the stiff and mustachioed Alex Trebek takes the cake. Protesters of Columbus Day point out that we've celebrated our own caricature of that explorer rather than the criminal he actually was. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "caricature" means when you can explain it without saying "exaggerated portrayal" or "distorted representation." try it out: Think of someone presented in the media as ridiculous or stupid. Fill in the blanks: "(Something or someone in the media) caricatured (a person) as (someone with ridiculous or stupid qualities)." Example: "This magazine routinely caricatures pop stars as depraved maniacs." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. This month, we're playing "You Know, That Thing!" This game challenges your powers of recall. Start a timer: twenty seconds if you're an adult, longer if you're a kid or an English language learner. Read the description of each thing, and come up with its name. Try to name all three before your timer runs out. (Scroll all the way down for the answers.) Ready? Go! 1. The author's note near the beginning of a book that (often tenderly) says who the book is for is the… 2. A store that sells clothes and other items that have already been used is a… 3. A long, high ocean wave caused by an undersea earthquake or other disturbance is a… review today's word: 1. The opposite of CARICATURE is A. TWO-DIMENSIONAL RENDERING B. ACCURATE REPRESENTATION C. SUGAR-COATED VERSION 2. Critics disagreed about the film's portrayal of Hawaiian culture: some called it a caricature; others, _____. A. a necessarily selective storyline B. a cringeworthy series of stereotypes C. a nuanced exploration Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. B 2. C Answers to game questions: 1. dedication 2. thrift shop, thrift store, resale shop, charity shop, secondhand shop, consignment store, or consignment shop (or something else, depending on your location!) 3. tsunami