Explain how the media creates a two-way conduit to connect citizen opinions with real political actors/events and they in turn use the media to shape public opinion.

Previously you’ve looked at the matter of public opinion and political socialization. In this module you should see how the media creates a two-way conduit to connect citizen opinions with real political actors/events and they in turn use the media to shape public opinion. Prior to this, we spent time examining the nuances of public opinion polls. Now you are going to take a look at two other gauges for measuring public opinion: political cartoons and letters to the editor.

Respond to each of the prompt below. This assignment is worth a total of 15 points.
•Locate an editorial cartoon published during the past month and include a working hyperlink to its location. (2 points).
•Answer the following questions regarding your cartoon. (1 point/each).
◦What issue is this political cartoon about?.
◦What is the cartoonist’s opinion on this issue?.
◦What other opinion can you imagine another person having on this issue?.
◦Did you find this cartoon persuasive? Why or why not?.
◦What other techniques could the cartoonist have used to make this cartoon more persuasive?.
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•Find a Letter to the Editor that was published on the same topic as your cartoon. (1 point) Note: The letter does not need to come from the same source as your cartoon..
•Include a working hyperlink for its location. (2 points).
•Answer the following questions regarding your letter. (1 point/each).
◦Does the letter have the same message as the cartoon?.
◦What seems to have motivated the author of your letter to send in their submission?.
◦How would you describe the writing style of the contributor (emotional, reasoned, etc…)?.
◦In your opinion, why would publishers/editors print these letters?.
◦Which item (letter or cartoon) do you think is more persuasive? Why?.