Class Test- on Persepolis
A. Comics are divided into multiple frames or panels. Some panels do not have a
frame. Some panels are large and open, also known as a ‘splash’. How does
your comic strip use panels to convey its message?
Use CULTURE as a concept to analyse the chapters. (1-6)
B. The space between panels is known as the ‘gutter’. In comics, the reader
actively has to fill in the gaps and make assumptions about what happens in
the gutter between panels. How does your comic strip use the gutter to
engage the reader and move the action forward?
Use CREATIVITY as a concept to analyse the chapters. (1-6)
C. Negative space or ‘blank’ space is the absence of drawn objects. It helps
readers focus on what’s important in the frame or panel. How does your comic
strip use negative space to draw the reader’s attention toward a certain point
of focus?
Use PERSPECTIVE as a concept to analyse the chapters. (1-6)
D. Although comics do not involve a camera, the term camera angle is relevant
for analysing the perspective from which a cartoonist depicts a subject. How
do perspective and camera angles affect the reader’s understanding of your
comic strip?
Use REPRESENTATION as a concept to analyse the chapters. (1-6)
E. Cartoons and comics often include symbols to convey meaning effectively
and succinctly. Where do you see symbols used in your comic strip? What big
ideas are they communicating?
Use PERSPECTIVE as a concept to analyse the chapters. (1-6)
F. Emanata: This curious term refers to the dots, lines, exclamation marks,
teardrops or any other drawings that can depict emotion, motion or sound in a
drawing. How and why does your comic strip use emanata?
Use IDENTITY as a concept to analyse the chapters. (1-6)
G. Speech bubbles are a form of direct narration, where the reader reads what
characters say, word for word. Thought bubbles, often depicted with cloud-
like bubbles, give readers (but not other characters) insight into what
characters are thinking. Voice-over, a term often used in film, can also be
used in comic strips, with the narrator’s words appearing in a caption above
or below the panel. Captions often frame the narrative as a story, where the
narrator speaks directly to the reader. In what ways and for what reasons do
your comic strip use narrative techniques, such as speech bubbles, thought
bubbles or voice-overs?
Use TRANSFORMATION as a concept to analyse the chapters.(1-6)
H. To what extent is the drawing style of the artist cartoony? A ‘cartoony’ style is
usually very simple, iconic, subjective, universal and abstract in nature. The
opposite style tends to be more complex, realistic, objective, specific and
concrete. See the table below. How cartoony is your comic strip?
Use COMMUNICATION as a concept to analyse the chapters. (1-6)
I. Graphic weight refers to the use of colour, shading and levels of contrast.
High contrast between dark and light colours or black and white is more eye-
