Style in Editorial Cartoons Titilayo Remilekun Osuagwu University of Port Harcourt Rivers State, Nigeria. Please cite as: Osuagwu, T.R.(2012). Style in editorial cartoons. In W.C. Ihejirika and C.I. Ochonogor (eds.), Style in media production: Essays in honour of S.A. Ekwelie. Pp.74-79. Port Harcourt: Unique Printing and Publishing. Introduction Mcluhan’s idea of ‘the medium is the message’ suggests the use of mixed media for effective communication of messages (McQuail 2005, Udosen 1990). This underscores the reason visual expression is a vital aspect of communication. It has a considerable potential for skilful communication. According to Mboho (1990), “Today, visual expression is essential to clear, interesting and purposive communication” (p. 31). Examples of visual communication are sketches, photographs, - posters, illustrations, charts, graphs and cartoons. Mboho (1990). Cartoons, which form the main thrust of this discourse, are light hearted drawings that amuse as they entertain. Cartoons are not new to the Nigerian society, since carved puppets were used in ancient times to lampoon offences like abortion, adultery, theft and greed. Idiong (1990). In modern times, cartoons are not only important tools of satire or lampooning in the media, they are also important tools for societal advancement. The media in practicing the tenets of the libertarian and the developmental theories of the media, which purports free market place of idea and the use of media to support development, use editorials. In so doing, the media are also performing their information, interpretation and persuasion functions. Okunna (2002). However, Nigerian newspapers have not harnessed the potentials of cartoons in their editorializing Okunna (2002). This line of thought was reiterated by Nwodu, (2011) who says that “cartoon, although an important content of mass media has received minimal research attention and critical analysis in professional journals, series, book chapters even as it has attracted least mention in intellectual fora” p.24. It is against this backdrop that this paper examines the styles of editorial cartoons and how they are used to facilitate readers’ comprehension, hold attention and enhance the credibility of newspapers. 1