graphic novels=real reading
TRANSCRIPT
Graphic Novels:REAL Reading
Presented by The Oakland County Reading CouncilEmily Freeman, Vice President
Why don’t we consider comics REAL Reading?Common perceptions of comics:
● Funny● Shallow characters/plots● Short● Easy● Frivolous
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
Asking Questions● What were you wondering
when you first saw the image? ● When you read the words?● Still wondering now?
Determining Importance● Where is the focal point?● Which details are necessary for
understanding?● Which details are less
important?
“Writers give clues, but readers have to
amass the evidence
and draw conclusions for themselves.”
Zimmerman and Hutchins, 2003
Even if those clues are given through images and text together, rather than text alone.
What Are Graphic Novels?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
Graphic NovelsAccording 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!
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!”
Visual/Text Pairing ● 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.
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
Kids and ChoiceKids who are internally
motivated spend
300% more time reading independently than
kids who are not.McRae and Guthrie, 2008
Finding GNs Here are some things to look for to find one you’ll LOVE:
➔ Genre
➔ Topic
➔ Age Appropriateness
➔ Art Style