Building Historical Narratives with Evidence
This lesson explores how we can create powerful non-fiction graphic narratives. We will discuss research methods; how to incorporate primary sources; and how to layout panels with intention. This class will develop primary source analysis skills by teaching students to extract information from sources and then integrate that data into their historical narratives.
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- determine how primary sources can enhance a historical narrative.
- understand the resources and research required to build a powerful narrative.
Guiding Question
- How do we incorporate primary sources into historical narratives?
- What historical evidence do we need to integrate into our comic books to build an accurate and effective narrative?
Preparation
- a selection of non-fiction graphic narratives (the more, the better), with sticky notes marking the pages where primary sources are incorporated into the work
- Handout: Incorporating Primary Sources
- “How to Read a Graphic Novel,” (outside source), and the means to project it
Introduction
Project the “How to Read a Graphic Novel” resource, connecting its content back to this project. Discuss and highlight key vocabulary, as well as important formatting needed for building a graphic narrative.
Lesson Activities
Class Discussion and Brainstorm
What do you think is needed to build an accurate non-fiction graphic narrative?
Possible answers:
- evidence and research
- inclusion of primary sources
- if possible, interviews or first-hand accounts
- accurate facts and information
- a theme, or sense of purpose
Reintroduce the Narrative Arts and Storytelling Project where individuals work with Holocaust survivors, and through interviews, they build non-fiction stories based on eyewitness accounts.
Project the Survivors and Artists page onto the screen to show an example of how all the sources come together to make draft and templates of the stories you wish to tell.
Working with Primary Sources
Ask the students: What is a primary source?
- Primary sources are key to successful representations of history through narrative art.
Students will need to integrate proof into their narratives through primary source research.
Display multiple graphic narratives at the front of the room with key pages referencing primary sources marked. Primary sources can be integrated via pictures, written passages from historical documents, maps from the time period, or clear newspaper titles. Most historical narratives include primary sources in some way.
Either in pairs or in groups (depending on available graphic narratives) have students complete the Handout: Integrating Primary Sources.
The purpose of this handout is to demonstrate how sources are integrated into historical narratives to increase accuracy and enhance connection.
Conclusion
Wrap-up by connecting the previous lessons together. Emphasizing how primary sources can add authenticity to graphic narratives by lending credibility.
Support Materials
“How to Read a Graphic Novel,” From the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
