Graphic Novels in the Classroom

            The graphic novel is used as a way to engage not only the reluctant reader but also the overwhelmed, nervous, and struggling reader. Using the graphic novel today focuses on the use of multi modal aspects of literacy, something that is crucial and a must in today’s classroom. The graphic novel not only helps the visual learner see what the author is describing, inferring, or simply explicitly saying but it also cuts down on the fear that is staring down a full-on chapter book that is just text.

            Along with struggling readers it also assists ELL readers visually what the words are, allowing them to connect misconstrued or misunderstood words to cultural norms and visual representation of not only the meaning but also the context of the words in front of them. It also helps students identify more important passages do to the minimal text and also forces them to question why an author chose to use those words in the panel and how they connect to the next panel. It allows students to not only visualize the images in front of them but also allows them to imagine what is happening between the panels that gets one image to the next.

            Grammar parts and skills are something that often times can be pointed out and examined more easily than of that in full on novels. The use of punctuation, how to properly use quotation marks, as well as commas can all be found and easily identified in graphic novels allowing students to get a more visual look at grammar at work. Aside from all the above graphic novels often cover difficult topics in an updated way that many find hard to discuss, read about or even imagine. Allowing these novels explain the tragedies like the Holocaust. Graphic novels push examine and assist the student in understanding and visualizing the ins and outs of literature through images and brief but powerful and intentional text.