Reading Comics as a Medium
In this lesson, students will explore how comic devices create meaning. Through guided discussion, group analysis, and individual practice, students will strengthen their understanding of how Two Roses uses visual elements to communicate deeper ideas.
Lesson aim: To deepen students’ understanding of how comics use visual techniques to communicate complex ideas and present deeper meanings.
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- define key comic terminology and recognize its function in narrative structure.
- identify how comic elements contribute to tone, pacing, mood, etc., in Two Roses.
Guiding Questions
- How does the comic format affect how we read and understand a story?
- How can comic devices create meaning?
Materials
- copies of Two Roses
- copies of the Comic Terminology Worksheet Handout_ComicTerminologyWorksheet
- copies of the Comic Device Analysis Worksheet Handout_ComicDeviceAnalysisWorksheet
- laptop and projector
- Comic Terminology Slideshow ComicTerminologySlideshow
Preparation
Ensure students have copies of Two Roses, and make sure you have the digital version open on your computer. Prepare the Comic Terminology Worksheet and Device Analysis Worksheet.
Lesson Activities
Introduction
Begin by asking students their impressions of Two Roses. Encourage them to reflect on how the comic format affected their reading experience. In other words, how did this experience differ from reading prose?
Comics Terminology
Hand out the Comic Terminology Worksheet. Go through the accompanying slide show (Comic Terminology Slideshow) and have students write down the definitions for each term. Have students think about how the size, colour, and/or placement of devices can affect meaning.
Pose this or a similar question: If a panel is small and cramped, what feeling might that create? If a gutter is wide and empty, what might that silence suggest?
Device Analysis
Divide the students into groups of 3–4 and assign each group one device from the list. In their groups, students must find at least two examples from Two Roses where their assigned device is used to convey meaning outside of its basic function.
Have one group member keep track of the page number and their notes.
After 10 minutes, have each group share their analysis with the class while you project the page on the screen.
Comic Device Analysis – Individual Practice
Hand out the individual practice sheet. Students will complete the Comic Device Analysis Worksheet using Two Roses. Circulate the classroom and provide assistance where needed. If students do not complete this sheet, it will be assigned as homework.
Conclusion
Five minutes before class ends, ask students to think about one new thing they learned about analyzing comics today. Have them think-pair-share and then call on a few students to share their ideas. Before they leave, remind them of their homework.
Additional Resources
L4.2a_Handout_ComicDeviceAnalysisWorksheet
