1. Reading Graphic Novels
Viewing the text through three ‘lenses’

2. Interpretation of graphic novels …
Text as meaning
Image as meaning
Text and image as meaning

3. 1. The Literary Lexicon We already know the literary lexicon: Reader
Narrator
Juxtaposition
Protagonist/antagonist
Metaphor
Symbol
Etc …

4. 2. The Visual Art Lexicon Perspective Line Shape Texture Shadow
Shading
Style
Negative space
Structure
Layout
Colour
Negative space= space around a form helps define form

5. 3. The Graphic Storytelling Lexicon
Panel
Panel frame
Split image/frame
Bleed
Splash page
Speech balloon
Tail
Caption
Motion line
Gutter
Closure
Symbolia (Zzz)
Sound effects

6. Viewing two panels from Persepolis
Literary – the juxtaposition in the caption between “very religious” and “very modern”
Artistic – the use of different shapes (machinery versus Islamic iconography) and juxtaposing black and white colours
Graphic storytelling – the split image of Marji (veiled and unveiled)

7. If we use the three ‘lenses’ to read the second panel, what meaning is communicated?
How does the second panel relate to the first? How is the meaning of the first panel altered when reading it in the context of the second?