4 PL E Graphic texts Focusing on visual choices Creators of visual texts make choices that significantly affect the way the audience responds to and interprets the text. These choices include angle, distance, colour, lighting, cropping and framing. Other factors such as the purpose, the ability to shape meaning and the context are also important. Features of a graphic novel M A graphic novel tells a story through images and words. It shares many features of a novel, such as plot, characters, themes, settings and conflict, but as it is a visual text it also contains some distinctive elements of its own. Image SA Panels are the segments or boxes that appear on the pages of a graphic novel. They can be compared to paragraphs in a narrative. Each panel contains a combination of image and text that conveys a snapshot or a piece of the story. The panels allow the writer and illustrator to jump from person to person or from past to present with great flexibility. The size and arrangement of panels on a page can be used to convey emotions, intensity of action, and so on. Gutters are the spaces between the panels that separate each piece of the story. Sometimes panels overlap, which has the effect of making them seem to flow into one another. Colour can be used to draw out the themes and create special or intense moods; for example, black and dark blues or greens may be used to convey a sinister street at night. Text Speech balloons contain the words spoken by each character. A character s thoughts are usually indicated by a series of small bubbles leading from the balloon. Captions (boxed commentary) are usually in rectangular-shaped boxes and contain information about the characters, events or setting. Sound effects such as pow, clap, clap or kaboom are often presented visually using special lettering to attract attention. ISBN: 978 1 4202 2991 2 4: Graphic texts 43
Panel size often varies Graphic novel The award-winning novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini has been adapted into a graphic novel. In Afghanistan, kite flying is a fiercely competitive sport in which each kite flyer aims to cut the string of competing kites with the glass-coated string of their own kite. In the novel, kite flying not only symbolises hope, freedom and friendship but also the violence and conflict of war. Amir is the kite flyer and his friend Hassan is his kite runner who helps to fly the kite and runs to collect ones that fall. Read the page below and think about the strategies the illustrator and writer have used. Speech balloon for dialogue Gutters separate the panels Small panels convey action Use of vibrant colours National English Skills 10 44 ISBN: 978 1 4202 2991 2
Analysing the graphic novel 1 Why does the first panel run down the full length of the page? 2 In the next panel, Amir, the kite flyer, is shown saying Ready! Why is this drawn as a close-up view? 3 What is Hassan s role in the following five panels? 4 What do these panels show about Hassan s relationship to Amir? 5 Amir is distracted by his father, Baba, who is watching from the crowd. What does Hassan say to bring Amir s thoughts back to the kite flying? 6 Overall, how do the six panels on the right side of the page visually convey a sense of urgency and action? 7 In the novel, kite flying represents exhilaration and hope. How is this indicated visually on the page? ISBN: 978 1 4202 2991 2 4: Graphic texts 45
This extract from the novel The Kite Runner corresponds with the page of the graphic novel. Read the extract carefully and compare it to the graphic novel. Flying the kite At least two dozen kites already hung in the sky, like paper sharks roaming for prey. Within an hour, the number doubled, and red, blue, and yellow kites glided and spun in the sky. A cold breeze wafted through my hair. The wind was perfect for kite flying, blowing just hard enough to give some lift, make the sweeps easier. Next to me, Hassan held the spool, his hands already bloodied by the string. Soon, the cutting started and the first of the defeated kites whirled out of control. They fell from the sky like shooting stars with brilliant, rippling tails, showering the neighbourhoods below with prizes for the kite runners. I could hear the runners now, hollering as they ran the streets. Someone shouted reports of a fight breaking out two streets down. I kept stealing glances at Baba sitting with Rahim Khan on the roof, wondering what he was thinking. Was he cheering for me? Or did part of him enjoy watching me fail? That was the thing about kite flying: Your mind drifted with the kite. Comparing the novel and graphic novel from The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini 1 The author uses two similes in the extract to describe the kites as they fly and when they fall from the sky. What are the similes? 2 How does the author convey the violence of the sport in this description? 3 What conflicting feelings does Amir have about Baba, his father? 4 What do you think Amir means in the last sentence? 5 What differences can you identify between the novel and the graphic adaptation? National English Skills 10 46 ISBN: 978 1 4202 2991 2
Film poster The novel The Hunger Games is the first in a trilogy of science fiction adventure books by Suzanne Collins. It is set in the futuristic totalitarian state of Panem, which consists of twelve districts. Each year a boy and a girl from every district must compete in a battle to the death at The Hunger Games, which are televised for the whole nation to watch. The main characters, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, represent the poorest district. The following poster shows Katniss facing the crowds. ISBN: 978 1 4202 2991 2 4: Graphic texts 47
Viewing the poster 1 What is the effect of the words The world will be watching? 2 The main character, Katniss, is facing away from the viewer. What effect does this have? 3 Even though the viewer can t see her face, what does her body language convey about her character? 4 The banners on each side show Katniss and Peeta. What expression is shown on their faces? 5 What items can you see in the burning emblem? 6 Even if the viewer hasn t read the book and doesn t understand the meaning of the emblem, what symbolism is suggested in the context of the poster? 7 What has the designer done to make this emblem dominate the poster? National English Skills 10 48 ISBN: 978 1 4202 2991 2
Web advertising Oxfam is an international organisation that focuses on fighting poverty by working with communities in 90 countries around the world. Their imaginative Oxfam Unwrapped online advertising campaign uses humour to gently encourage people to donate money to an important cause. ISBN: 978 1 4202 2991 2 4: Graphic texts 49
Viewing the web page 1 Who is the intended audience of the Oxfam Unwrapped website? 2 What is enticing about the headline 44 ways to look good? How does the photo of the goat support the real meaning of the headline? 3 The how it works diagram visually explains the basic steps that are involved in making a donation. Exactly how does the process work? 4 How do you think most people will react if they receive one of these cards instead of a personal present? Why? 5 The 44 cards are designed to appeal to a range of individuals. Explain what type of person might respond positively to receiving the water-quality testing kit card as opposed to the toys card. 6 Why are the visuals of the eight sample cards a more effective way of promoting the gift program than a set of realistic photos of the actual items that are being donated? National English Skills 10 50 ISBN: 978 1 4202 2991 2
7 Websites are navigated by clicking on hyperlinks, images or menu buttons. This allows viewers to choose their own pathway through the site. Go to <www.oxfamunwrapped.com.au>, choose one gift card and list the layers of information you find: a The card I have chosen is: b When I hover over the card I see a photo of: c When I click on it I find: d The hyperlink takes me to: Creating a graphic novel Choose an interesting passage from one of the novels you are studying in class or from a novel you have read recently. Using the following template, which has six panels, transform your passage into the page of a graphic novel. Use the features of a graphic novel outlined on page 43 to help you. Write the title of your novel and details about the passage (page number and a brief description of the scene) in the space provided. Plan the content of each panel in pencil. Once you are satisfied, use black pen for the outlines. Decide what will be in your speech and thought bubbles and whether you need any boxed caption text to clarify the setting or the events. Choose appropriate colours to create the mood of the scene. Title of novel: Description of scene: Page: card ISBN: 978 1 4202 2991 2 4: Graphic texts 51
Graphic novel storyboard National English Skills 10 52 ISBN: 978 1 4202 2991 2