GRAPHIC NOVELSTHE NEW GENRE

BARBARA ASHTONILLINOIS READING CONFERENCE

OCTOBER 2, 2014

HISTORY OF GRAPHICA

• Picture stories used to communicate – the caveman, Egyptian tombs, Japanese scrolls

• The first newspaper comics in 1890• Early 1900’s comic books evolved – become

part of American culture• Educators take notice – begin research into the

values of graphic books• Superman and other characters give rise to

graphic format

• Publication – The Seduction of the Innocent gives rise to negativism

• Spiderman, Batman, Wonder Woman help popularize the graphic format

• Two graphic novels – A Contract With God and Maus – offer educational value to curriculum

• Manga becomes popular and gets teens, young adults reading

• Authors create books, novels for younger students – publishers produce

• Academia states graphic novels/books have educational value and a place within the curriculum

• Graphic novels/books are respected and ALA declared them as the new genre

WHAT IS A GRAPHIC NOVEL?

A book written and illustrated in the style of comic books

A story told in pictures and words A stand-alone story in a single book of a length

commonly greater than a comic book A format that can include every possible genre Graphic applies to comic style, not the content of

the book

Rosen Graphics

HOW TO READ A GRAPHIC NOVELBasic Terminology

Panel - A box or other shape that serves as a frame for a particular sceneGutter – the space between panels on a pageBalloons – Found inside a panel that contains dialogue, thought, and/or soundSplash Page – a single panel page at the front of some graphic novels with vivid colors and exciting action that makes readers want to enter into the storyInking – coloring in the black and white lines of a frame with paints, crayons, colored pencils, etc.Lettering - adding text to graphic novel pagesBleed – an image that stretches up to, or even past, the edge of the pageCrosshatch - drawing lines close to each other on an object to create shadowsSpeed lines – short lines that run parallel to each other to suggest quick movementSilhouette – a shadow outline of a person, animal, or object without clear details

WHY READ GRAPHIC NOVELS?• They tell a story visually and sequentially• They motivate struggling and reluctant readers• The illustrations provide context, details, convey mood,

emotions, point of view through facial expressions and body language

• Text includes short descriptions and dialogue• Visuals reduce the amount of written text• They provide comprehension clues that make vocabulary

easier• They help improve comprehension• They’re highly interesting and engaging• They motivate students to want to read more

GRAPHIC NOVELS WITHIN THE CURRICULUM

• Can be used to teach the same standards as traditional literature

• Can help students tackle, integrate, and enhance content area material

• Can help demonstrate what the lesson is asking the students to do or focus on

• Can help encourage writing skills and creativity• Can help all types of learners succeed in a

content area classroom

YUM! YUM! That was some

good blood

Oh What

a Ride!Shake them bones at the Halloween Ball

Trick or Treat

Primary Graphic Novels

Middle School

Picture Books and Wordless Comics

Curriculum Connections

Websiteswww.comics.comwww.scholastic.com/graphixwww.makebeliefscomixwww.professorgarfield.comwww.readwritethink.orgwww.comiclife.comwww.graphicclassroom.blogspot.comwww.comicsintheclassroom.netwww.ala.orgwww.pbskidsgo.org/wordgirlwww.toon-books.comwww.comicbookproject.org

www.diggercomic.com

OTHER ACTIVITIES Have students draw and write their own graphic story/mini novel Have students write a book review Have a Cartoon Day – read the funny papers, comic books, graphic

novels Have students illustrate in graphic style an event they’re studying in

Social Studies or a concept in Science or Math Have students create a Super Hero body, attach a digital headshot.

Students write and illustrate about their Super Power in an adventure

Photocopy a page of comic panels. Cut them apart and have students put in the correct sequence

Photocopy a page of comic panels with the words whited out. Students create their own text – then compare

Use graphic novels to teach fluency with ESL students Use graphic novels – as a basis for a Reader’s Theatre

THANK YOU