1. Step Ahead
Book 5 Unit 3
Creating a Comic Strip 1

2. the factors affecting the writing of a comic strip
In this lesson, you will learn about:
the factors affecting the writing of a
comic strip
the organisation of a comic strip
the features of a comic strip
the writing process

3. What factors affect the writing of a comic strip?

4. Genre Audience Purpose
The style and structure of writing is affected by three factors:
Genre
i.e. What is the text type? e.g. a comic strip
Audience
Purpose
i.e. Who will read my comic?
e.g. schoolmates and friends
i.e. Why am I writing?
e.g. to use pictures and words
to create a story

5. schoolmates and friends
What is the genre for this writing task?
a comic strip
Who is the audience for this genre?
schoolmates and friends
other cartoonists or illustrators
general readers

6. to use pictures and words to create a story
What is the purpose of the comic strip?
to use pictures and words to create a story
to create a three-dimensional experience for the reader: pictures, sounds and thoughts

7. Exercise 1
Tick the sentence below which most likely comes from a comic strip. 
1. I like reading comics. 
2. Aha! Come on! hurry up!
2. Aha! Come on, hurry up! 
3. This comic strip is about an imaginary creature, Doggiefly. I hope you’ll all like it. 
4. Christmas day is a time to have a gathering with your friends and family.

8. What does a comic strip include?

9. A comic strip includes:
panels
captions
speech bubbles
sound bubbles

10. panels contain pictures and text

11. describe what is happening in the scene
Captions:
describe what is happening in the scene
The robber barged into the supermarket with a gun.

12. Here comes the last screw to be fixed, my dear Doggiefly!
Speech bubbles:
we use speech bubbles to present speech
Here comes the last screw to be fixed, my dear Doggiefly!

13. Sound bubbles:
onomatopoeic words are words that sound like the things that they are describing, e.g. hiss, boom.
Bang!

14. What are the main features of a comic strip?

15. a title to tell readers the main theme of the comic
In a comic strip, we use:
a title to tell readers the main theme of the comic
abbreviations

16. We use the title to tell readers the main theme of the comic:
think of something clever and witty, a name that will arouse readers’ interest
have some practical relationship to the actual subject matter of your comic
e.g.
Doggiefly, the smartest robot ever!

17. We use abbreviations to shorten words :
e.g.
LOL! (Laugh out loud)
e.g.
Brb (Be right back)

18. Exercise 2
Choose the best word to complete each sentence.
ouch
aw, gee
ssh
yuck
achoo
yum
____________! The baby is sleeping!
____________! That hurts!
____________! Do we have another meeting this afternoon!
Ooh! Garlic bread – ___________!
Oh _________! I hate mayonnaise!
__________! It’s dusty in here!
Ssh
Ouch
Aw, gee
yum
yuck
Achoo

19. The Writing Process 19

20. How do I generate ideas for a comic strip?

21. Use note sheets to keep track of details:
Title: ________________________________________
Setting: ______________________________________
Characters: ___________________________________
Plot: _________________________________________

22. Use panels to plan your comic strip:
Write down what to include in each panel:

23. Surprise Excitement Onomatopoeia
Vocabulary
Common words and phrases used in a comic strip:
Surprise
Excitement
Onomatopoeia
Are you sure?
My goodness!
Oh, my!
Really?
Unbelievable!
What?
What a surprise!
Cool!
Genius!
Great!
Hurray!
Thank heaven!
Well done!
You’re smart!
Achoo!
Buzz!
Click!
Crackle!
Sizzle!
Ssh!
Whoosh! 23

24. How do I draw a comic strip?

25. Pre-writing Drafting Editing Proofreading
-brainstorm ideas using mind maps, tables, etc.
-note down ideas, vocabulary 
Drafting
-use a flow chart to outline your writing plan
-draft your writing 
Editing
-re-read and examine your draft
-correct for ideas, organisation, style 
Proofreading
-proofread for spelling, grammar, punctuation
-correct any mistakes 
Finished product

26. Three factors affect writing: audience purpose
Summary:
genre
Three factors affect writing:
audience
purpose
Organisation of a comic strip:
panels
captions
speech bubbles
sound bubbles

27. Features of a comic strip: a title
Summary:
Features of a comic strip:
a title
abbreviation
Generate ideas using:
note sheets
six panels

28. The writing process: pre-writing drafting editing proofreading
Summary:
The writing process:
pre-writing
drafting
editing
proofreading

29. Step Ahead
Book 5 Unit 3
The End