The style a cartoon is drawn in can also help present the gag in a certain tone. A polished, fine-tuned drawing can give an air of sophistication to the cartoon; a loosely drawn sketch can make an informal gag feel more friendly and inviting.

Don't feel obliged to emulate the styles of other single-panel cartoonists. James Thurber's style would never have worked with Charles Addams's sense of humor. And neither of these cartoonists could have done justice to a gag written by Gary Larson. You'll find that if you let your style develop naturally, your writing and style will begin to converge until it forms a united presence.

Most importantly, your style should be clear and legible. Your drawing should be a conductor of the humor, never a barrier to it. This is usually achieved through finding an appropriate level of detail to include in your drawing. Too much detail leads to clutter and too little leads to confusion. Your goal should be to provide enough visual detail without adding unnecessary pen strokes.