How to Read a Graphic NovelHow to Read a Graphic NovelAim How will students navigate the words and picture of “Maus” to develop the visual literacy needed to read a graphic novel?

Graphic Novel or Comic Book?When most people here the phrase ‘graphic

novel’ they think ‘comic books.’ Superheroes like Wonder Woman, Wolverine

and the Green Lantern come to mind.

Graphic Novel or Comic Book?Graphic Novels are different from Comic Books is

a few important ways:• Comic Books are usually a ‘series.’ That means they are

intended to come up with new stories every month.• Graphic Novels are one story (told in perhaps two or

more volumes) that reach the end and stop.

• Comic books are generally fantasy and science fiction.• Graphic Novels are more realistic – usually historical, autobiographical or a memoir.

The mood of a comic book is generally suspenseful and exciting.The mood of a graphic novel can be more serious and reflective.

So then …. How are comic books and graphics the same?

Graphic Novel or Comic Book

• Graphic Novels and Comics Books are the same in the way that they are read.

• Let’s look at “Maus” and identify the following:

• The “flow” of the story• Parts of a Graphic Novel• Things we should look for in the words and pictures

The “Flow” of the StoryThe “Flow” of the Story

Graphic novels are like regular stories. They have a plot, characters , settings and all the other elements in stories we read in regular books.

Graphic novels rely on pictures and words to tell the story. These pictures and words are in panels.• Panels are the boxes in which the pictures and words appear.• The panels are read in sequence like the way you read the

words of a page in a regular book.• Now you will look at two pages of MAUS – Don’t worry about

reading the words; follow the directions so you know how to move your eyes across the page.

Graphic novels rely on pictures and words to tell the story. These pictures and words are in panels.• Panels are the boxes in which the pictures and words appear.• The panels are read in sequence like the way you read the

words of a page in a regular book.• Now you will look at two pages of MAUS – Don’t worry about

reading the words; follow the directions so you know how to move your eyes across the page.

The “Flow” of the StoryThe “Flow” of the Story

Start here and follow the red arrows.

Graphic Novel: The Parts of the Story

• Graphic novels are like regular stories – they have a plot, characters and all the other parts of a regular story.

• A caption is information from the author that gives us important information about the setting or what a character is experiencing.

• Sometimes a “caption” can appear inside –or outside - the panel.

This is the first page of MAUSCaption #1Caption #1

Caption #2Caption #2

Caption #3Caption #3

Caption #4Caption #4

What captions tell us about the setting?

What captions tell us about the experiences of a character?

Graphic Novel: The Parts of the Story

• Another important part of a graphic novel is dialogue.– Dialogue is what characters say to each other.

This is conveyed through word balloons. Each word balloon has a “tail” to let you know what character is talking.

This is the first page of MAUS (again)

Word Balloon #1Word Balloon #1

Word Balloon #2Word Balloon #2

Word Balloon #5Word Balloon #5

Word Balloon #3

Word Balloon #4

Word Balloon #6

Is it clear which character is saying the dialogue in each word balloon?

MAUS: What to look for in words and pictures

• In the captions and word balloons, some

words are emphasized by being bigger or bolder.

• This lets the reader know that there is a lot of emotion behind these words.

• Look at Page One again and identify the emphasized words.

This is the first page of MAUS (again)

Word Balloon #1Word Balloon #1

Word Balloon #2Word Balloon #2

Word Balloon #5Word Balloon #5

Word Balloon #3

Word Balloon #4

Word Balloon #6

What words are emphasized? What emotions are the communicating?

• In the pictures, the artist can use devices like shadow and style to help create a mood.• Dark shadows usually create a mood of fear or despair.

• In the pictures, the artist can use devices like shadow and style to help create a mood.• Dark shadows usually create a mood of fear or despair.

What to look for in words and picturesWhat to look for in words and pictures

What to look for in words and picturesDoes art make his pain more real to the reader? Why?

• The style of the art can also help connect the creator to the reader.

• In this story, we find out very early the author’s mother killed herself.

• Later on, he tries to tell that story by dramatically changing the style – the way – he creates the art.

• He even uses an actual picture of his mother with him when he was a small boy.

Other Elements of a Graphic Novel

• Gutter – White space around each panel• Bleed – A Panel image that seeps out into the gutter• Sound Effects – Onomatopoeia• Motion lines – Straight lines behind stationary

objects that indicate some kind of movement• Thought bubbles – Like speech bubbles, but indicate

inner thoughts not shared with other characters• Dialect – Atypical forms of speech, create a more

believable character

Literary Elements you will encounter

• Symbolism• Anthropomorphism (opposite of

personification)• Foreshadowing• Flashback

Inferences

• Reading between the lines• Much easier with pictures• Think critically about what you read • Think critically about what you see• Combine your thoughts about what you see

and what you read to uncover a deeper meaning

Scavenger Hunt!!!• Now that you know the new elements, your job is to find them!• Grab a book and hunt for the following elements:

– Bleed– Gutter– Speech balloon– Thought balloon– Use of art/artifacts– Dialect– Use of light/dark– Motion lines– Sound effect– Caption

• When you’ve found an element, list the page number and in one sentence, explain how the element ENHANCES MEANING

• Hand this in FOR A GRADE by the end of the set

Now … Let’s start reading the book…