This document discusses how graphic novels are a form of REAL reading and should not be dismissed as shallow or frivolous. It argues that graphic novels require the same comprehension skills as traditional novels, including using prior knowledge, creating mental images, making inferences, asking questions, determining importance, and synthesizing what is read. The document provides examples of how these skills are actively used when reading comics and graphic novels. Additionally, it notes that graphic novels can cover a wide variety of genres and age levels, have vocabulary levels similar to adult novels, and benefit from the pairing of visuals and text. The document advocates that graphic novels are a valuable format for developing reading skills and increasing student motivation to read independently.
4. Comprehension
Based on reading research: What do
proficient readers do mentally as they read?
➔ Use Prior Knowledge
➔ Create Mental Images
➔ Make Inferences
➔ Ask Questions
➔ Determine Importance
➔ Synthesize What They Read
13. WhatAreGraphicNovels?
Are they really any different from comics?
● Format, not genre
● Panels
● Left-to-right reading
● Can be any genre or age level
● Usually longer, stand-alone story
14. Graphic Novels
According to the Comic Book Legal Defense
Fund graphic novels have important features
that develop reading skills:
➔ Rich vocabulary, simple text
➔ Visual/text pairing benefits
comprehension
➔ Content is wide, deep, and
varied
➔ Kids like them!
15. Vocabulary
● Comic books do NOT reduce vocabulary
demand.
● Comics have 53 “rare words” per 1,000,
compared with 52 per 1,000 in adult-level
novels.
● They DO provide picture support, quick
and appealing storylines, and less text.
● Make vocabulary more accessible.
Hayes and Athens, 1988
Stan Lee
“I determined
never to talk down
to the reader. I
insisted on using
college-level
vocabulary. If a kid
didn’t know what a
word meant, he’d
get it by osmosis. If
he had to go to a
dictionary, that’s
not the worst thing
in the world!”
16. Visual/TextPairing
● Learning is maximized when pictures are
combined with text.
● Visuals make abstract concepts,
metaphors, and temporal/spatial
relationships more clear.
● Sequenced panels aid comprehension of
plot development.
● Story gaps between panels require active
problem solving.
17. Content/Genre
● “Graphic novel” is a format, not a genre.
● Any story can be told in GN format,
including nonfiction.
● Many have fantasy elements.
● Lots of new realistic fiction and memoir.
getgraphic.org