5 Keys to Understanding and Enjoying Graphic Novels

Your students aren’t getting much from graphic novels. It’s a bold statement, I know. But before you write me off as a crazy graphic novel hater, hear me out. 

Most graphic novels are WAY more complex than your students realize. Authors and illustrators invest so much time in every caption, speech bubble, character expression, and page layout. And if you’re students are like mine, they’re probably not taking the time to notice. 

Is it just my kids, or do yours also treat reading graphic novels like some kind of frantic race? Mine proclaim “I’m done!” with such vigor, you’d think I gave out prizes or something. LOL. 

Here’s what I did to help my students SLOW down and appreciate the complexity and art that is every graphic novel. 

First, I gave a quick mini lesson on how graphic novels are constructed and how to read them. Seriously, many students don’t even read the speech bubbles in the right order. I’ve watched. 

Next, I hung up a poster with the 5 keys to understanding and enjoying graphic novels. (See them listed in the photo below). This poster is a consistent visual reminder for anyone who chooses to read a graphic novel. One and done lessons are rarely effective, so using the poster, I can easily re-teach the skills necessary to make the most of a graphic novel whenever I need to.

The bottom line is that you should definitely stock your library with graphic novels, and you should definitely book talk them, but have a game plan to support students through the process.

XO,

Kara