Introducing the Conventions of Graphica
Terry Thompson · 2023
Introducing the layout and organizational formats of different types of texts is an essential part of our regular literacy instruction. Graphica takes a complete U-turn from the layout of traditional texts. At first glance, it seems to break all the rules—and I think this is one of the reasons it appeals to students. The layout is all about visual attendance; it requires readers to divide their attention among a whole host of different things going on across the page. The progression of the information or story in comics occurs through a series of panels that is analogous to paragraphing in traditional texts. Dialogue in comics is mainly represented using speech bubbles. Narrative boxes, which often appear as narrow text boxes near the top or bottom of the panel, can serve many purposes. Lettering in graphica is often cleverly used to create mood or to offer the reader assistance with phrasing or intonation.