TEXTBOOK ASSIGNMENT

Graphic Novels

·       Definition

o   Logical extension of the comic books

o   Tell a story using pictures in sequence, panels, speech balloons and other conventions of the comic book form and format.

o   The key difference between illustrated books, picture books, and graphic novels

§  graphic novels are generally longer

§  more developed narrative than picture books

§   differ from illustrated chapter books because the illustrations are an integral component of the story.

o   Graphic novels might serve as bridges between picture books and illustrated chapter books or even between chapter books and traditional novels

o   Graphic novel is used to describe any book in comic book format that resembles a novel in length and narrative development.  

o   Differs from picture books and comic books in their complexity. 

o   Consists of a cover and inside pages that have panels, gutters, and dialog balloons, thought balloons, captions, and sound effects.

o    Read right to left like traditional text and top to bottom

o   Graphic novels tell a story using pictures in sequence, panels, speech balloons, and other conventions of the comic book form and format. 

o   The difference between books, picture books, and graphic novels, is that graphic novels are generally longer in length and have a more developed narrative. 

o   Also, they differ from illustrated chapter books because the illustrations are an integral component of the story. 

o   Graphic novels are like any traditional stories because they have the same elements in the story, such as plot, characters, setting, themes and climax.

o    

·       Graphic novels are not part of a genre of literature.

o    They are more about form or format. 

o   Can be about history, fantasy, nonfiction and in reality

o    All genres can be written in graphic novel form. 

·       Not just for older teens and adults

o   they can be written for all ages. Including preschool children and elementary aged kids.   .

·       Graphic novels can create both an enjoyable and informative experience for the reader.

·       Key Elements regarding Graphic Novels

o   Color can be used in a variety of ways in graphic novels. 

o   Some questions to consider are: 

§  What colors are predominant?

§  What might the colors represent or symbolize?

§  What would happen if different colors were used?

§  Does the graphic novel use a full-color process?

§  And are the colors bold or muted or pastel?

o   A line is a component of the art in a graphic novel and the direction of a line can imply different things. 

§  A diagonal line might indicate movement or loss of balance, a horizontal line might mean rest or peace or calm.

§  A vertical line could indicate height but also strength.  

§  Some questions to consider are: 

·       Are the lines thin or thick, are they bold or sketchy? 

·       How does the artist use line to draw the reader’s eyes in a certain direction? 

·       And how are lines used to frame the panels?

o   A composition is how the illustrations are put together. 

§  Size and placement are two critical components.

§  Some questions to consider include:

·       What is at the center of the panel, the top, the bottom; and what might the placement of the object signify? 

·       Are some elements of the illustration in the various panels larger than others?

o   Frames can be used to contain text and illustrations and create panels. 

§  Questions to consider regarding this are: 

·       What type of frames are used in the book?

·        Do the frames vary throughout the narrative or remain consistent?

·       Are the frames within the frames there to accentuate anything in the story? 

·       If the frames were removed, how might the story change? 

·       Art sometimes breaks the border of the frame, what might the artist be conveying with the techniques?

o   Speech balloons contain the text and dialogue of the graphic novel. 

§  Questions to consider

·       Does the book separate text from illustrations or does it bleed into the illustrations without separation? 

·       Does the text appear in black and white or in color? 

·       Are different colors used? 

·       Does the word differ in any size and shape?

·       How is emotional intensity indicated; with balloons, color, or lines?

·       Is the text in addition to speech, how is It set differently, and why is it necessary?

o   White space is important in graphic novels.

§   Events usually happen in white space. 

§  Questions to consider are:

·       Are the panels roughly the same size or shape? 

·       Does anything bleed into the white space or gutters?

·       Does more happen in one panel than in others?

·       How does the author move readers from one panel to the next?

o   Media and technique and style of illustrations function in graphic novels as it does in any form of art. 

§  Some questions to consider are:

·       What media is being used, colored pencils, watercolors, or tempera? 

·       What illustrative style is used, is this cartoon considered art?

·       Can you identify illustrations work in other books?