What is the role of sequential art, graphic novels, and comics in the English Language Arts (ELA) classroom?

A: According to Kelly, graphic novels are very important to literature and allow readers to find the metaphorical lessons based off of the images. of and comic works are effective and alluring to both children and adults. Kelley makes her point early on “In many cases, graphic novels use the same types of artistic devices. However, unlike traditional artists, the work of a graphic novelist or graphic illustrator moves from one canvas to multiple panels and pages of a book (McCloud,1993). The details, though sometimes made minuscule by the number of panels and frames on a page, are still important to the story, and readers must be attuned to those details in order to fully integrate meaning” (Kelly 6). Graphic works are also very alluring to children and adults, due to their visuals and fast paced nature. Graphic novels are important to literature because it allows viewers who may or may not be an avid read a chance to enjoy a different reading experience. In this way, graphic novels are universal in audience and allow a wide array of readers from all different walks of life to enjoy them.

Post Reading Prompts: This One Summer

1. What significance does the color purple have to the novel?
2. Do you feel as though you were able to comprehend the events of the novel better as images? Do you think it could have used more words or narrative?
3. What experiences do Rose and Windy experience at the start of the novel that they had yet to experience on prior visits? Reference a section from the first 50 pages for this question.
4. What is more important to you as far as understanding the story? The words or the images?
5. After reading the novel do you think that critics have a point when they say the book is too graphic in nature for teenager? Do you think it is important for young people to read this book?

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

• Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
• Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

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• Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
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• If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

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