Name:
Date: How to Read Graphic Novels (and Comics!) The terminology below will help you to discuss graphic novels by providing you with specific and common terms. Term Definition Paraphrase Panel/ Frame Divided segments that represent a specific moment in time. They may or may not have borders. Example Gutter The spaces between and surrounding the panels on the page. Oftentimes, the gutter space is used as the place where action occurs even though the audience does not actually see it occur (see “closure”). Dialogue/ Speech Bubble The space where characters dialogue is made visible. These are generally circular, but can occur without borders. When borders are present, they generally indicate the mood of the speaker (example: a jagged bubble might suggest anger). Caption Generally, rectangular space where narration occurs. The caption can be part of the gutter or part of individual panels/frames. Bleed Juxtapositi
on Closure When graphics in a panel extend into the gutter and off the page. Gutter usage is not the same as bleed. The side­by­side placement of seemingly opposite literary elements for interpretation. New meaning, that does not exist in the individual parts, always arises out of juxtaposition. The phenomenon of observing the parts but seeing the whole. Directions: Draw a line from each of the vocabulary terms to their corresponding examples on the page Name:
Date: How to Read Graphic Novels (and Comics!) Panel/Frame Gutter (or gutter usage) Dialogue/Speech Bubble Bleed Juxtaposition Closure