What are the fundamentals of graphic novels

What are graphic novels? Huh? What are graphic novels? A graphic novel is a format not a genre. Graphic novels can be fiction, non-fiction, personal narratives, and anything in between. Like comic books, graphic novels use sequential art to tell a story. Some of the most popular: Manga Superhero Personal narratives Non-fiction

Basic Vocabulary for Graphic Novels Panel- a visual or implied boundary, and the contents within it, that tell a piece of the story Gutter- The space between the panels. In this space, the reader moves from one panel to the next and comes to a conclusion about what is happening. Balloon-Found inside of a panel, graphic novel balloons commonly create visual boundaries

Types of Story Panels The types of Content Panels Word panel, Image panel, word and image panel Types of Story Panels Plot Panel Character panel Setting panel Conflict panel Rising Action 6. Climax panel 7. Resolution panel 8. Symbols panel 9. Theme panel 10. Foreshadowing panel 11. Combination story panels

Different types of Gutter Moment-to-moment From one panel to the next panel, readers witness little closure and instead simply see something from one instance to the next.

Action-to-action Between these panels, readers see a single subject going through specific transitions.

Subject-to-subject While sticking with a single idea, these panels move the reader from one subject to the next subject, often progressing the storyline. McCloud reminds us to “note the degree of reader involvement necessary to render these transitions meaningful.”

Scene-to-scene In reading these panels, readers often need to exercise deductive reasoning, for these panels move the reader across “significant distances of time and space.”

Aspect-to-aspect Because these gutters ask readers to think about the feelings or emotions being conveyed from one panel to the next panel, they are comparable to tone or mood.

Non-sequitur This gutter is used to make a point: sometimes depicting symbolism, sometimes conveying confusion, and sometimes foreshadowing something to come later.

Different Balloon Types Word Balloon Story Balloon Thought Balloon Dialogue Balloon Sound Effect Balloon Balloon-less Balloons Word Balloon

Story Balloon Thought Balloon

Dialogue Balloon Sound Effect Balloon

Balloon-less balloon

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