Comic Book Text Features Mrs. Justice Team Integrity Grade 4

panel: section within comic strip gutter: space between panels tier: each level of panels

Speech Balloon Words spoken by a character appear in a speech balloon. The tail of the balloon points to the character who is speaking.

Thought Balloon A character’s thoughts appear in a thought balloon. The humor is only for the reader. A trail of little bubbles connects the thought balloon to the character.

Caption Text in a caption tells the reader what is happening in the story. (like a narrator in a story)

Sound Effect A word that indicates a sound for an action appears inside of the panel.

Emanata This is the name for text or symbols that tell the reader something about a character at that moment. For example, zzz shows that the character is sleeping. A question mark shows that a character is confused.

What is one difference between a speech balloon and a thought balloon? Write your answer on your white board. Please, do not reveal your answer until asked to do so.

What does the light bulb in this panel tell you about the superhero at that moment? Write your answer on your white board. Please, do not reveal your answer until asked to do so.

Come up with a new caption to replace this panel.

Why aren’t quotation marks needed in comics?

Create the last panel in this comic strip. Use at least 2 comic book features.

Great work! Thank you for being attentive and hard working students.