1. How to Read a graphic novel
A Guide

2. What is a graphic novel?
Sometimes referred to as a comic book, a graphic novel is a sequential, comic-style narrative in book form.
It is a medium, not a genre. Many different genres exist within the graphic novel realm.
Graphic novels can be analyzed for both their text and their images.

3. How do I read this?
Like any other text, graphic novels are read from left to right, top to bottom.

4. What elements do graphic novels contain?
Panels—squares or rectangles that contain a single scene.
Gutters—space between panels.
Dialogue Balloons—these contain conversations between characters.
Thought Balloons—these contain the thoughts of a single character.
Captions—these contain information about a scene or a character.
Sound Effects—these are visual sound cues (i.e. whap, pow, boom, zip)

5. Panels
Panels— squares or rectangles that contain a single scene.

6. Gutters
Space between panels.

7. Dialogue Balloons
Contain conversations between characters.

8. Dialogue Balloons
Dialogue balloons are read left to right, top to bottom.

9. Thought Balloons
Contain the thoughts of a single character.

10. Captions
Contain information about a scene or a character.

11. Sound Effects
visual sound cues (i.e. whap, pow, boom, zip)

12. More cool things… Transitions Perspective
Graphic novels transition from panel to panel and page to page in order to:
Slow time
Emphasize an action sequence
Utilize juxtaposition for emphasis and meaning
Perspective
Graphic novels utilize the same terms as film and photography, such as:
Close-up, medium-shot, long-shot
Tilt-up, tilt-down
Panning and tracking

13. Make your own!
Now that you are an expert on graphic novels, make your own comic page. In comic form, tell the story of your morning routine before school.
Utilize all six graphic novel elements (sound effects, captions, thought balloons, dialogue balloons, gutters, and panels).
Label each element.
Follow correct sequencing of left to right, top to bottom.
It must be at least 5 panels in length.