GRAPHIC+TEXT

= GRAPHIC TEXT INDEPENDENT STUDY PROJECT: College Composition = = =


 * Grading Rubric**:

= = = = = =

- Choose a graphic text (novel or memoir). It should be at least 80 pages long and of an appropriate challenge level for your abilities. You may find your book at any library or – if you wish – purchase it.

- Now read the text a second time and begin to work through the following activities and responses.

== 1. __Frame Analysis__: Decide what qualities make your text unique or interesting. Choose __3 frames__ that each show 2-3 different techniques or elements of cartooning that you believe best show these unique qualities. Copy the frames onto pages, and next to each, explain the element you see and how/why it is effective or unique. (30 pts., 10 each) ==

== 2. __Narrative Arc or Archetypal Hero's Journey__: On a sheet of paper, show visually your text's narrative arc or hero's quest. You may use previous models from class to do this. Remember, a text may have 1 main protagonist or a whole family or group whose story the text is following. A protagonist may also be an animal or object. (20 pts.) ==


 * Archetypal Hero's Journey:**


 * 1. unusual birth or upbringing**
 * 2. call to adventure (and sometimes an initial refusal of the call)**
 * 3. crossing the threshold to the unknown land**
 * 4. threshold guardian - 1st challenge**
 * 5. initial tests and trials**
 * 6. helpers and aids (sometimes magical)**
 * 7. "belly of the whale" moment - internal crisis**
 * 8. final showdown or facing of the greatest fear -- which the hero passes or fails**
 * 9. boon/reward**
 * 10. return**

[]


 * Basic Narrative Arc:**



== 3. __Conflict and Resolution Analysis__: In a short essay of 2-3 paragraphs, discuss the main conflicts in the text. Remember to include any INNER conflicts the protagonist(s) faces, as well as the primary external conflicts (vs. an antagonist, nature, or "the system.") Is each conflict resolved? How? - (10 pts.) ==

[[image:themes poster.jpg width="320" height="320" align="right"]]
== 4. __Theme Analysis__: Identify 2 key themes in the text. To do this, consider the topics the author explores, and then determine what the author is saying about each topic. What is the message this book contains about the 2 topics? How does the outcome of the book uphold each theme? == == For each theme, write a paragraph which fully explains how the theme works in the book. Then find 1-2 pages relevant to each theme, and explain how the page connects to the theme. Copy the pages for your portfolio. (20 pts.) ==

= =

== - Finally, it's YOUR TURN. Create a comic strip of 5-8 frames in which you explore an issue facing teens in America today. This might be something centered on BGHS or your community or your family, or it may be an issue facing teens in general, where your characters are more representative of teens than actual people you know. (40 pts.) ==

== Tell a mini-story with a clear beginning, middle, and end, where the ending is poignant in either a funny, ironic, or critical way. Be sure your characters and settings are clear by using narrative, background details, or even labels on buildings or items. Use the comic techniques we've studied in order to make each frame effective. ==

== Use blank paper and straight edges to create a professional- looking comic strip. I will have these materials in class for you to use. On the back, include your name and a brief explanation of what your comic strip means. ==