Elements+of+making+comics

Elements of making comic s - a brief overview By Claire McCarthy

Probably the most important thing to think about when you are looking at comics because it is a way to discuss a different textual type that has more of a symbolic nature to it. This is an important tool to have because the whole set up of a comic is different from most other forms of texts, it's whole structure is different of the components that make it up to the way it makes our mind read the story.
 * Metalanguage**

**The front Cover** This is what really sells the comic. It is a sneak preview into what the story is really about, it's kind of like a synopsis (or a summary) of what is to happen in the comic without giving any actual written clues.

**Panels** they give us a snapshot of the story that the comic is telling. They tell us the infomation that needs to be seen and letting our imagination make the links to what is not been shown, how the story gets from one panel to the next

Just like in the movies, a comic uses angles, wideshots and closeups. Angles - show different points of view of the story. They create a visual interest and give you more of an idea to the surrounding atmosphere. This can also be used to show another side of the action that is taking place, or just simply another point of view. Wideshot - Gives an overall view of the situation at hand in the story. It has also been known to give the illusion of volnerability. Close-ups - Create a dramatic, tension and emotion to the atmosphere.
 * Just like a film**

Motion lines create that sense that the characters are more alive and have the ability of movement. It creates an illusion of movementthat helps the reader to imagine the subject mobing in a particular way and also gives them the ability to imagine the scenes in a bit more detail.
 * Unlike a film - the appearance of motion lines**

What is happening between the panels on the page. This is where the imagination really comes into play because we have to match up the sotry and part of that is trying to figure out what is going on between the panels, what is happening in the time that is not shown in the panels. This is one of the parts that is essential from separating it from a cartoon (which would be beneficial to explain to children this key point, that there are differences between a comic and a cartoon).
 * Closure**

Words and Pictures They tell the main points of a story, but they are not even stevens. Sometimes there is an absense of one our the other, so the only clue to that part of the sotry is either a picture or words. Depending on the panel, one can be more important than the other.

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