Content code
e1243
Slug (identifier)
comics-types-of-texts-elementary
Parent content
Narrative Texts – Types of Texts | Elementary
Grades
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 6
Secondary I
Topic
English Language Arts
Content
Title (level 2)
What Are Comics?
Title slug (identifier)
what-are-comics
Contenu
Corps

Comics are a type of text that tell stories or present information using a series of words and pictures.

Title (level 2)
What Are the Features of Comics?
Title slug (identifier)
what-are-the-features-of-comics
Contenu
Corps

Here are the main features of comics.

Title (level 3)
Panels & Gutters
Title slug (identifier)
panels-gutters
Image
A comic of a super hero flying in the sky suddenly stops to think. Then, he decides to land and get some ice cream. There are labels for the panels (rectangular spaces where the pictures are drawn) and the gutters (the empty spaces between each panel).
Description
Panels
They are boxes or frames that contain the pictures and text.
They are usually rectangular.
The number of panels used, the way they are organized and their sizes can vary a lot from one comic to another.
Gutters
They are the spaces between the panels.
They represent time passing and transitions from one moment to the other.
Title (level 3)
Speech Bubbles & Captions
Title slug (identifier)
speech-bubbles-captions
Image
A comic of a super hero and a little girl. The super hero dropped ice cream on his cape and went to wash it at the laundromat. The little girl pointed out that drycleaning would be better. Panic ensues when the cape comes out of the washer shrunken. The speech bubbles and a caption are identified.
Description
Speech bubbles
They hold the dialogue and point to who is talking. 
They are also known as:word balloons
speech balloons
dialogue balloons
The most common types of speech bubbles are used for:Speech → bubble shaped
Whispering → bubble shaped with a dotted outline
Thoughts → cloud shaped (Also known as a thought bubble or thought balloon)
Shouting →  jagged outline
Captions
They are boxes that contain text like:narrations 
descriptions
character thoughts (in some cases)
Title (level 3)
Story Told in Sequence
Title slug (identifier)
story-told-in-sequence
Corps

Comic panels placed in sequence represent a series of events that form a story.
When done properly, the reader can easily follow the story from the first panel to the last.

Image
Comics of a superhero to show the sequential nature of comics. Panel 1 has the character tying up his cape, leading to panel 2: the character looking at the cape he just put on and it is tiny. That leads to panel 3: the character walks away, disappointed with the tiny cape flowing in the wind.
Title (level 2)
What Can We Expect to Find in Comics?
Title slug (identifier)
what-can-we-expect-to-find-in-comics
Contenu
Corps

Comics are famous for using certain elements to tell their stories.
Here are some examples of the most common ones:

Image
Examples of elements commonly found in comics like sound effects, exaggerated expressions, body language, graphic symbols (a lightbulb to represent having an idea), recognizable outfits, clear shapes and sizes, exaggerated features and discernable colours and patterns.
Description
Sound effects
Words that represent sounds
Character expressions
Exaggerated expression
Body language
Graphic symbols
Recognizable features to tell characters apart
Outfits or costumes
Size & shape differences
Exaggerated features
Colours & patterns
Title (level 2)
Comics at a Glance
Title slug (identifier)
comics-at-a-glance
Contenu
Image
Summary of the key features and elements commonly found in comics. Key features include panels, gutters, speech bubbles, captions and a story told in a sequence of images. Elements commonly found in comics include sound effects, character expressions and easily recognizable features.
File
Comics at a Glance - downloadable
Texte bouton
Click to download.
Title (level 2)
See Also
Title slug (identifier)
see-also
Contenu
Links
Type
Internal
Title
Picture Books – Types of Texts | Elementary
Internal link
/en/students/vl/english/picture-books-text-types-elementary-e1232
Type
Internal
Title
Narrative Texts – Types of Texts | Elementary
Internal link
/en/students/vl/english/narrative-texts-types-of-texts-elementary-e1215
Remove audio playback
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