Since a single-panel cartoon relies on one image to carry the visual message, choosing that image is crucial to the outcome of the cartoon. One of the most important decisions that has to be made is “when” to draw. In other words, should you draw the action before, during, or after it happens?

Since “action” tends to be a loaded term, it should be pointed out that sometimes the action in a cartoon is closer to inaction. In other words, sometimes the action illustrated is simply one person speaking to another. The words exchanged — not the activity — form the gag.

Illustrating a scene “before the action” tends to heighten the tension before the punch line.

Before the Action

Choosing to illustrate the moment before the action indicated in the punch line works best in cases in which guessing the action itself is part of the gag. In these cases, the realization of what happens next adds to the humor. This amplifies the sense of surprise in the punch line because the reader is engaged in piecing together the consequences.

When you illustrate the moment before an action, you are allowing the reader to fill in the resulting action in his imagination. Be sure to include all of the visual elements the reader will need to do this. The reader should not have to add elements on his own to make the cartoon complete.

In Action

This is perhaps the scene single-panel cartoonists use most often. In this case, the cartoon illustrates the punch line action as it happens. As stated earlier, single-panel cartoons have a tendency to be focused on the joke. That being the case, the illustration simply exists to facilitate the cartoon-reading process. It gives the reader a scene or a setting, provides a tone and a mood, and then allows the humor in the caption to deliver the laughs.

Aside from the obvious uses, it's indispensable in presenting humor that relies heavily on a slapstick element. Slapstick humor is energetic and expressive and, therefore, can be truly presented only with an energetic, expressive drawing. Choosing to depict a scene before or after the moment of slapstick should be done only when the punch line is strong enough to exist without the slapstick.

Most single-panel cartoons depict the action implied in the caption.

After the Action

Depicting a scene that occurs after the action is most often used to present the reader with an unexpected outcome or one that is humorous in a visual way. These cartoons usually present an ambiguous scene — one that does very little to arouse suspicion. Almost always, the punch line twists the reader's perspective in such a way that she is forced to look at the illustration again with new eyes. This is a terrific tool for misdirection, in which you lead the reader to one expectation and then turn reality inside out, surprising the reader.

Depicting a scene after the action described in the caption is an excellent tool for misdirection. The reader is presented with a confusing scene that is explained by the punch line.