Writing

Lecture 1 Learning Objectives for Unit 4 (Implicit Bias and the Graphic Novel)

▪ Understand and analyze elements of a graphic novel including but not limited to panels, shading, word bubbles, and frames. 

▪ Analyze film techniques that are used in the graphic novel Monster

▪ Evaluate how implicit bias works through imagery, graphic novel and/or film techniques and storytelling. 

▪ Synthesize various images in the text in order to reflect on personal bias and its impact on society. 

Graphic novels — that is, long-form narratives done in the style of comic books — have rocked

the literary world in recent decades. Works like Maus

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, Persepolis

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, and Fun Home

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 have garnered Pulitzers, given birth to film and theater adaptations, topped best-seller lists, and

elevated comics art from a disdained medium into an acclaimed one.

In this award winning  

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novel, Walter Dean Myers brings us the story of 16-year-old Steve Harmon, on trial for the

murder of a drugstore owner in Harlem. The story is told through Steve’s perspective, primarily

as a screenplay he has written about the experience. To better follow the graphic novel Monster,

it's key that you understand the elements that go into crafting it. 

Elements of a Graphic Novel 

• Panels

• Gutters

• Frames

• Word bubbles

• Sound Effects

• Juxtaposition

• Intertextuality Panels: a box-like unit that describes a single scene. Always be aware of the number of panels

per page, the use of shading or mixed sizes of panels and the angles in which the panels are

placed. In Monster, the panels can give us clues as to the shifts between reality and the film in

Steve's mind. 

Frame: The border around panels, their color, angles, and width. Frames can indicate shifts in

time backstory, thoughts, flashbacks, and in the case of Monster, film vs. reality.

Gutter: Space between the panels where time passes. They create tension, time lapse, and shifts

in perspectives. Gutters have the same effect as camera work (zooming in and out, cut aways),

etc.  Notice the spaces between the panels in the two pages below. 

Word Bubbles: are used to indicate who is speaking in the story. A bubble or cloud is above the

person speaking with a point directed to the speaker. They can vary depending on different

situations or emotions. Typically, general narration is captured in rectangles. The point may

direct "off stage" or out of the frame if someone is nearby but not in the panel while speaking.

Word bubbles help with the pacing of the story and can show emotion with varied shapes,

positioning, and size. Look at the following example of word bubbles in Monster. 

Sounds Effects: are a tradition in both comic books and graphic novels. Most of the time the

sound  is written out so readers can imagine the aural scene. Sounds effects also create non-

verbal feeling and create tension.  This same two page set of panels includes sound effects. 

Juxtaposition: is used in graphic novels when two or more images, or images and words are

placed next to each other to create an unexpected yet powerful effect.  In the last two panels on

the right, the juxtaposition of the two images demonstrate how similar Steve feels being judged

by a jury of strangers for this crime and a jury of his peers for his film for the film club. 

Intertextuality: is the text within the text including references to famous people, places,

products, or events, sampling of visuals or texts,  or generally nods to other works of art or

artists. Intertextuality is often used by songwriters and poets, but it is also included visually and

through words in graphic novels. The use of intertextuality can add context, insight, or depth to

our understanding of a character or scene. For example, in the panel below, the religious

terminology may make us consider more moral implications for Steve such as guilt, redemption,

or forgiveness. 

Now we'll be applying the elements of graphic novel to Monster so we can better understand the

story and be able to analyze our own implicit bias regarding Steve's involvement in the armed

robbery turned fatality at the store. 

Lecture 2

Read the Graphic Novel Monster And Answer the Following Discussion Questions

(Due By June 13 Evening )

Answer the following discussion questions regarding Monster, the graphic novel. 

 

1. Explain how your views of Steve and his guilt or innocence shifted throughout the graphic novel? We are looking at how the portrayal of the story (various use of shading, frames, etc.) influenced your sense of him as a character. 

 

2.  Knowing that Steve is a film student, how did that impact your view of his culpability?   

3. Reread pages 58-59, what is the effect of the letter and panel choices/art on these pages?   

4. Page 106 and several others animates testimony via imagined flashback. What do these imagined flashbacks (from people other than Steve) imply about his guilt or innocence? 

 

5. After learning about graphic novels and reading this story, why do you think the author chose black and white vs color? 

 

6. Does the portrayal of Steve's attorney Ms. O'Brien change throughout the story?  Do you think she believes he's guilty? Does her view change? Give evidence. 

 

Lecture 3: Essay 4 Film/ Camera Techniques

Since the graphic novel is narrated by a young filmmaker, there are many film techniques

included in the graphic novel itself.  The opening pages and closing pages have what are called in film "the prologue" and "the epilogue" that sets up the film or gives needed backstory or

details that will be foreshadowed and tells what happens to the characters after the story's main

plot concludes.

There is also a title page that looks similar to one in the opening transition from the prologue to

the main story.

Finally, here are some basic camera techniques that you are likely familiar with but maybe haven't noticed before. You can identify these techniques in the graphic novel Monster if you choose to work on the film technique option. 

Lecture 4: Essay 4 outline and thesis plan

(Due by June 14)

Thesis & Plan

For this thesis & outline, there are four steps/parts: First, share which option (1-3) you are going to do for your final essay. Say a little about why you chose that option.  Next, come up with your thesis statement (it might change). Remember a thesis for this essay is a specific point you are

trying to prove and your reasoning. Basically it will need to include Implicit Bias with a focus on one of the three options. Then, share an overview of your plan, what will your introduction, three body paragraphs, and conclusion include? Throughout the quarter, we've worked with a lot

of plans/ideas/strategies for all of these steps, so this is your opportunity to put it all together in a shorter essay to demonstrate your skills.  Finally, ask a question you have about your plan/thesis, and respond to one other classmates' question. 

Lecture 5

(Due by Jun 16 at 8pm)

This reading quiz is two short essay questions from the graphic novel Monster.  You may also

use notes and discussion questions. I will give you the quiz after you finish the reading. Because

it has 30 mins time limited 

Lecture 6 (Due: Jun 16 at 11:59 PM)

Background

Throughout the quarter we have examined various forms of stereotypes and their functions and consequences. Claude Steele’s research in Whistling Vivaldi illuminated stereotype threats and their impact on academic performance, social settings, and feelings of belonging. Ta- nehisi Coates’ book Between the World and Me deepened our understanding of the relationship between racial stereotyping, the black body, the Dream, and parenting children of color from a

personal and historical perspective. Our individual research on various aspects of racial profiling demonstrated some of the most dangerous consequences and biggest concerns regarding the inherent nature of stereotyping a person. Now, we take one final look at implicit bias through the lens of the graphic novel Monster

 

Your Task:

Write a 750-900 word (3-4 page) essay in MLA format that argues why the graphic novel,

specifically Monster, offers an effective and relevant lesson into the results of implicit bias.

Choose ONE of following options to focus your essay:

1. Graphic novel techniques (art, shading, word bubbles, use of frames/gutters,etc.) that impact the readers' implicit bias present in Monster

2. Film techniques (titles, epilogue, flashbacks, dream sequence, zooming in/out, point of view) used in Monster that impact the reader’s implicit bias. 

3. Film as a metaphor for analyzing truth, bias, memory and/or self identity,  4. Comparative analysis of implicit bias and stereotype threat in Monster with Whistling

Vivaldi,  and Between the World and Me.   

Guidelines and Hints:

• Avoid plot summaries of the graphic novel; only summarize what is necessary to make your point about techniques, metaphors or comparisons.

• Include full citations and full names/titles when referring to previous sources or work in class.

• Only put page numbers in parenthesis, not in the body of your essay. Instead of "On page 23, Steve.... " write "When Steve is in his cell....." (Myers 23). 

• This is your last opportunity to demonstrate the writing skills you’ve developed this quarter. As a reminder, we have worked on the following:

◦ Writing clear thesis statements (claims of policy, fact, or value)

◦ Developing TEEA paragraphs (Topic Sentence, Explanation, Evidence, and Analysis)

◦ Introducing all quotes (phrase, sentence, or embedded)

◦ Citing all quotations and paraphrases ◦ Developing new and academically appropriate vocabulary

◦ Using effective conclusion techniques (i.e. revised thesis, summary of main points, embedded quote, look to the future, recommendations, solutions) 

◦ Sentence combining (coordination, subordination, and semicolons with transition words, and verbal phrases) to increase coherence

◦ Using transition words or key phrases or repetition to increase coherence within and between paragraphs

◦ Entering the Conversation in your Introduction: Setting up the context of situations, offering opposing points of view or background information in your

introduction to better engage your reader and to set up your thesis 

◦ Using the full name of authors the first time and then their last names/pronouns throughout the rest of the essay

◦ MLA formatting in  layout, in-text citations, and Works Cited page ◦ Avoiding “you,” references and keeping a consistent perspective

◦ Building your arguments with a combination of logos (logic), pathos (emotion geared to the audience), and ethos (credibility of you as a writer and the sources

you use).

 

 

Lecture 7

(Due June 20, 11:59PM)

Please write:

-a page or so--no format needed about how things or class went for you. This can be the good,

challenges, and the questions or recommendations for the future. 

-What was your overall mood/experience?