eng3c graphic novel study unit - topher · pdf fileeng3c graphic novel study unit •...

Graphic Novel Study Unit:

Title: _________________________

Author(s): _____________________

Due Dates:

1. Literature Tasks: November 29, 2013

2. Booklet Questions: December 6, 2013

Please read and follow the instructions carefully for each section.

Total: _____/65** includes 4 Literature Tasks

ENG3C Graphic Novel Study Unit • Name: ____________________

Let’s start with what it is not – or not always. First, the word “graphic” does not mean these books are graphically violent or sexually explicit – though some are. The “graphic” part of the term just means that the books involve graphics – or, more precisely, that they consist of sequential art (i.e. comics) of any style. Second, just as comics are not always comic, a graphic novel is not always a novel. For a start, the actual story content of a graphic novel is often ore closely comparable to that of a short story or novella; although a graphic novel might contain the same number of pages as a prose novel, it simply takes more space to tell a story in words and pictures – despite the old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words. More confusingly, a graphic novel is often not even fiction – there are many autobiographical graphic novels, as well as works of journalism, biography and history.

“A graphic novel is a comic book that you need a bookmark for.” ~ Art SpiegelmanThis could just mean it’s too long to read in a single sitting – that is, that it’s significantly longer than the standard 32-page “pamphlet” comic book. But Spiegelman’s phrase also implies there is some continuity throughout the book, so that you would want to read it in order and not just dip into it in the way you might a book of Far Side cartoons or a collection of Peanuts comic strips. So a graphic novel might be a single story, or a series of interlinked stories, but it would not be simply a collection of unrelated comic strips or short pieces.

The comics medium had so long been associated with kids’ stuff and humour that it was hard for people to see beyond their previous experience and conceive of the medium being used in different ways.This new term helped potential readers to look at comics afresh and see its potential as a serious grown-up art form, as capable of conveying challenging ideas as are great literature and film.

This idea that a graphic novel should be more than “just another superhero story” is summed up by the words of Eddie Campbell, author of Alec and artist on From Hell. Campbell argues that the term graphic novel “signifies a movement rather than a form. The goal of the graphic novelist is to take the form of the comic book, which has become an embarrassment, and raise it to a more ambitious and meaningful level.” – End of excerpts

One may find that the content of graphic novels can be allegorical, satirical, ironic, and explore wider themes and concerns.! Excerpts taken from the first chapter of The Rough Guide to Graphic Novels by Danny Fingeroth

What Is a Graphic Novel? By Danny Fingeroth

Role Description Sample Questions to Consider When Completing

What to Complete

Literary Luminary

Big Connector

Peacemaker

Charley

You are also expected to highlight examples of literary devices and record both their uses and effectiveness. Finally, you will be asked to look up any allusions or references in the graphic novel you read and explain your understanding of them.

• What makes the writing in this section so effective? (literary devices)

• How is the symbolism necessary to the story as a whole?

• What references are made to situations outside of the original story?

• At least three (3) examples of literary devices, including their use (i.e., the sentence it appears in)

• At least two (2) allusions or references, with explanations

Connecting to prior knowledge and experience to reading deepens comprehension and understanding. You will be looking for and recording connections that you can make to the graphic novel you have chosen.

Basically, there are four types of connections that you can make:

A. Text to text - find a connection between the text that you are reading and something that you have read or watched elsewhere

B. Text to the world - find connections between the text that you are reading and bigger issues or events in the world

C. Text to self - find a connection between the text that you are reading and your personal experience

D. Text within text - find a connection between the section of the text that you are reading and another section of the same text.

You are also expected to discuss theme(s) as you make connections.

• What connections can you make to current events in your community?

• What other people or places could you compare this story to?

• What other books or stories might you compare this one to?

• What other characters or authors might you compare this to?

• How does the theme(s) represented connect to other stories? Previous sections? Media texts?

• All four (4) connections must be made, written in separate sentences, with headings for each type of connection

• A theme statement

You are being asked to identify and examine the different types of conflict at play in the graphic novel. Remember to consider all seven of the varieties of conflict (person vs. person, person vs. society, person vs. self, person vs. nature, etc.). Examine the reason behind each conflict, and provide a resolution to each conflict.

• What examples of conflict are at play in the graphic novel?

• How does one conflict affect another?

• What solutions can be offered to the characters?

• Are any forms of conflict more prevalent? What does this tell us about the graphic novel as a whole?

• At least three (3) types of conflict

• Reason behind each conflict found

• Resolution to each conflict found

You are expected to track the characters and their development throughout the story. You will keep a list of the character traits demonstrated within the story, with examples and any new characters that are introduced. It is important that you include physical, mental, moral, and emotional characteristics.

• What do we know about the characters?

• What new characters have we met in this section?

• How do we learn about the characters?

• Are any character traits from earlier sections developed further in this section? If so, how?

• At least three (3) character traits for each character

• Identify what type of character (protagonist, antagonist, flat, round, dynamic, static)

• State how/why character develops.

Graphic Novel Study Overview of Literature Tasks

Identify Literary Devices and the Sentence they Appear In

Literary Device 1: _________________________________________________________________

Sentence it appears in: ____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Literary Device 2: _________________________________________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________

Literary Device 3: _________________________________________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________

Identify and Explain Allusions

Allusion 1: _______________________________________________________________________

Explanation: _____________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

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Allusion 2: _______________________________________________________________________

Explanation: _____________________________________________________________________

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Graphic Novel Study Literature Task • Literary Luminary

Connections Made

Text to Text: _________________________________________________________________

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Text to World: _________________________________________________________________

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Text to Self: _________________________________________________________________

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Text within Text: _________________________________________________________________

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Theme Statement

Theme: __________________________________________________________________________

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Graphic Novel Study Literature Task • Big Connector

Identify Conflicts, the Reasons behind Them, and Provide Resolutions

Type of Conflict 1: ________________________________________________________________

Reason behind Conflict 1: __________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Resolution to Conflict 1: ___________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Type of Conflict 2: ________________________________________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________


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Type of Conflict 3: ________________________________________________________________


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Type of Conflict 4: ________________________________________________________________


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Graphic Novel Study Literature Task • Peacemaker

Identify Character Types and Their Development

Character 1: ________________________________________

Type of Character: _____________________, _____________________, ____________________

How/Why Character 1 Develops: ____________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

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Character 2: ________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________________

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Character 3: ________________________________________



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Character 4: ________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________________

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Graphic Novel Study Literature Task • Charley

Written Component

1. Summary of Graphic Novel:/10

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2. Describe a significant setting of the graphic novel in detail (location, time of year, historical/time period, etc.):

/5

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Graphic Novel Study Question Workbook • Summary & Setting

3. How does the setting compare to or contrast with a time/place that you have experienced?/5

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4. Describe the protagonist (physical appearance, personality traits, habits, interactions with others, etc.):

/5

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5. Based on the above description, identify how their characteristics contribute to and affect the events or situations occurring in the story.

/5

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Graphic Novel Study Question Workbook • Setting, Character, Conflict

6. How is the protagonist like or unlike you or people that you know? Can you identify with the protagonist? Do you agree or disagree with the protagonist’s choices?

/5

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7. List five topics (as a word or phrase) explored/discussed in the graphic novel and provide examples of each:

/10

Topic 1:__________________________________________________________________________

Topic 2:__________________________________________________________________________

Topic 3:__________________________________________________________________________

Topic 4:__________________________________________________________________________

Topic 5:__________________________________________________________________________

8. Based on the above topics you have found in the graphic novel, select the two most dominant topics and develop two theme statements for your graphic novel.

/4Theme 1:

________________________________________________________________________________

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Theme 2:

________________________________________________________________________________

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Graphic Novel Study Question Workbook • Character & Theme

Overall Expectations: Creating Media Texts: create a variety of media texts for different purposes and audiences, using appropriate forms, conventions, and techniques; Understanding Media Forms, Conventions, and Techniques: identify some media forms and explain how the conventions and techniques associated with them are used to create meaning.

Visual Theme Composition

9. Complete the following:

Using Movie Maker, Photo Story, or PowerPoint, create a visual representation of one of the above themes. Be certain to include appropriate images, video clips, and music (lyrics or instrumental music must capture the essence of the theme). Consider colour, font style, and transitions when portraying the tone of your theme. If using PowerPoint, please print the slides with multiple slides per page and include with the booklet.

Visual Composition Rubric /12Category Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4

Thinking/Inquiry Visual elements are derivative or clichéd

Depiction lacks depth, and/or complexity

Visual elements show some original thinking

Depiction demonstrates some depth, and/or complexity

Visual elements are creative and original

Depiction demonstrates appropriate depth, and/or complexity to suit the purpose and audience

Visual elements are creative, original, and sophisticated

Depiction demonstrates insightful depth, and/or complexity, yet maintain audience interest

Communication Choice and organization of visual elements are unclear

Visual elements are rarely engaging

Choice and organization of visual elements reflect a limited sense of the intended purpose or audience

Choice and organization of visual elements are partially clear

Visual elements are engaging some of the time

Choice and organization of visual elements reflect an attempt to suit the intended purpose and audience

Choice and organization of visual elements are clear and effective

Visual elements are engaging most of the time

Choice and organization of visual elements are appropriate for the intended purpose and audience

Choice and organization of visual elements are presented logically and in an original way

Visual elements are thoroughly engaging

Choice and organization of visual elements are skillfully suited to the intended purpose and audience

Application Visual elements are of limited effectiveness

Choice and use of technology is limited

Visual elements are somewhat effective

Choice and use of technology is adequate

Visual elements are effective

Choice and use of technology is effective and appropriate to the purpose and audience

Visual elements are highly effective

Choice and use of technology is sophisticated

Graphic Novel Study Question Workbook • Theme Composition

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