How to Read a Graphic Novel
(Because we all know - graphic novels are real books!)
What makes a Graphic Novel?
Sequential art used to tell a story.
Can include words, pictures, speech bubbles, and panels
Chat at your tables.
What do you like about Graphic Novels?
What do you think people misunderstand about graphic novels?
How do authors/ illustrators show messages in graphic novels?
Elements of a Graphic Novel
Panel Layout | How are the boxes are arranged on the page? |
Gutters | Look at the spaces between the panels. Is anything unusual? |
Character Expressions | What are the faces of the characters doing? |
Background Details | What else do you see? |
Types of Text | Regular? Bold? Italic? |
Sounds | How are sounds written on the page? |
Sizes | Is anything intentionally larger or smaller than anything else? |
Let’s try it!
Panel Layout |
Gutters |
Character Expressions |
Background Details |
Types of Texts |
Sounds |
Sizes |
NOTE TO LIBRARIAN:
Use Sora (or another platform) to find 3-4 spreads from Graphic Novels that would be appropriate for the level being taught. You can place a screenshot of a page here OR just show the page using an e-book.
As you show the page, talk with students about the many ways the author has used to build meaning.
Graphic novels I used:
Miles Morales: Spiderman
Babysitters Club
When Stars are Scattered
New Kid
How do you
So…
connect with characters in graphic novels?
Types of Graphic Novels
01
02
03
04
05
06
FICTION Stories
PERSONAL Narratives
NONFICTION
MANGA
SUPER HERO Stories
ADAPTATIONS
WHERE CAN I FIND THESE?
01
02
03
04
IN THEIR GENRE
Remember - most of our graphic novels are filed at the END Of the genre they match.
NARRATIVE NONFICTION
Biographies or memoirs; life stories of REAL people
MANGA
We have a “Graphic Novel” section for these special books.
NONFICTION
Some of our “factual” books are still in Nonfiction
SORA
Remember
has a HUGE graphic novel collection
Special Thanks To: