Surviving Repression: Persepolis

Lesson 8
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ELA

Unit 4

8th Grade

Lesson 8 of 21

Objective


Explain the basic features of a graphic novel, approaches to reading a graphic novel, and how structure contributes to meaning.

Readings and Materials


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Target Task


Writing Prompt

What is the purpose of a gutter in comic art? How can comic book artists/graphic novelists use gutters to communicate meaning in their work? Support your answer with evidence from the text, "How to Read a Comic Book."

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • According to the comic, "What is a Graphic Novel," what is a graphic novel? How are they similar and different from comics, and other genres of literature?

  • Why did the author of "What Is a Graphic Novel?" include red arrows in her comic, why did she most likely not include them on the second page? How does this feature contribute to the purpose of this text?

  • How can comic book artists/graphic novelists use panel size and format to communicate meaning in their work? Support your answer with evidence from the text, "How to Read a Comic Book."

Vocabulary


Academic

panel

n.

a single drawing depicting a specific moment in a comic; generally contained within a square or rectangular frame.

frame

n.

the edge or outlined border of a specific panel in a comic.

narrative box

n.

a rectangle or square -- often at the top or bottom of a panel -- in which the narrator of a comic shares information with readers.

gutter

n.

the space between panels in a comic.

thought bubble

n.

a (generally) cloud-shaped outline within a comic panel that contains a character's unspoken thoughts.

speech bubble

n.

a (generally) circular or oval outline within a comic panel that contains a character's dialogue and indicates who is speaking.

splash page

n.

a comic book page that is mostly or entirely taken up by a single image or panel.

Homework


To ensure that students are prepared for the next lesson, have students complete the following reading for homework. Use guidance from the next lesson to identify any additional language or background support students may need while independently engaging with the text.

  • Book: Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi  pp. 3 – 17

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Where does this book take place?

  • What important political events are taking place at this point in Marji’s life?

  • What does Marji want to be when she grows up? How do the adults in her life react to this?

  • How does Marji respond when she hears that there will be demonstrations in the street? How do her parents respond?

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Common Core Standards


  • RI.8.2 — Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to supporting ideas; provide an objective summary of the text.
  • RI.8.5 — Analyze in detail the structure of a specific paragraph in a text, including the role of particular sentences in developing and refining a key concept.

Supporting Standards

L.8.6
RI.8.1
RI.8.4
RI.8.10
SL.8.1
SL.8.6
W.8.1.a
W.8.2
W.8.2.b
W.8.4
W.8.9
W.8.9.b
W.8.10
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Lesson 7

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Lesson 9

Lesson Map

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