Features of a Graphic Features of a Graphic NovelNovel

Definition of Graphic NovelDefinition of Graphic Novel

Combines elements of narrative, speech, Combines elements of narrative, speech, illustrations and imagesillustrations and images

Longer than a comic bookLonger than a comic book Higher quality than a comic bookHigher quality than a comic book Bound as real book rather than staples as Bound as real book rather than staples as

with comicwith comic

PanelsPanels

A panel is a box containing pictures, A panel is a box containing pictures, showing what is happening in the storyshowing what is happening in the story

Represents a moment in time; a single Represents a moment in time; a single actionaction

Panels are arranged left to right, top to Panels are arranged left to right, top to bottombottom

Panel positionsPanel positions

Full page panels are used for effect – artist Full page panels are used for effect – artist can show greater detail of a scene, can be can show greater detail of a scene, can be used for emphasis (can even be a two used for emphasis (can even be a two page panel)page panel)

Overlapping panels – depict almost Overlapping panels – depict almost simultaneous events in the storylinesimultaneous events in the storyline

Floating panels – smaller panels placed Floating panels – smaller panels placed over larger panels; usually conveys events over larger panels; usually conveys events happening simultaneously over the same happening simultaneously over the same time period in two different locationstime period in two different locations

GutterGutter

The space between panelsThe space between panels

Splash pageSplash page

Opening page of a graphic novel; contains Opening page of a graphic novel; contains title, subtitles, and credits for writers and title, subtitles, and credits for writers and artistsartists

Word BalloonWord Balloon

Oval in shape; contains dialogue of Oval in shape; contains dialogue of characters, speech balloon often has characters, speech balloon often has squiggly shape attached pointing to the squiggly shape attached pointing to the speakerspeaker

Thought BubbleThought Bubble

Silent thoughts of characters contained in Silent thoughts of characters contained in these fluffy clouds with scalloped edges, these fluffy clouds with scalloped edges, bubbles lead to thinkerbubbles lead to thinker

Letters and DocumentsLetters and Documents

Used to move the story along – as the Used to move the story along – as the character reads the information, so do wecharacter reads the information, so do we

Caption BoxCaption Box

Rectangular box at top or bottom of panel Rectangular box at top or bottom of panel – is a narrative aid that helps reader to – is a narrative aid that helps reader to understand setting shifts and transition understand setting shifts and transition between panelsbetween panels

Bug’s Eye ViewBug’s Eye View

Depicts panel from the ground up Depicts panel from the ground up (looming)(looming)

Top of Hat ViewTop of Hat View

Shows scene from above (looking down)Shows scene from above (looking down)

LightingLighting

Plays a crucial role in creating mood and Plays a crucial role in creating mood and feeling within the panelfeeling within the panel

Darkness = mysterious, forebodingDarkness = mysterious, foreboding Brightness = happy, positiveBrightness = happy, positive

SoundSound

Shown through words (onomatopoeia) and Shown through words (onomatopoeia) and how they are drawn (vibrating word shows how they are drawn (vibrating word shows alarm clock)alarm clock)

Text FeaturesText Features

Bold: boldness or strengthBold: boldness or strength Italics: projects intensity of conversationItalics: projects intensity of conversation Smaller print size: conveys a whisperSmaller print size: conveys a whisper Different fonts: dialects and different Different fonts: dialects and different

languageslanguages

The EndThe End