Graphic Novel Terms

The characters and objects in the front of the panel that are usually given the most detail

• special effects lettering

• background

• frame

• foreground

A distinct segment of the comic containing a combination of image and text in endless variety

• panel

• frame

• gutter

• midground

The image furthest back in panel that gives reader context (most often where action is occurring)

• foreground

• background

• midground

• bleed

Elements that enclose either internal or external dialogue

• captions

• special effects lettering

• dialogue bubbles

• gutters

How do you read the panels of a graphic novel?

• Start at the top of the page, move left to right, then move down, and repeat.

• Start with the biggest panel then move to the next panel that catches the readers eye.

• Start from the bottom and move to the top.

• Start from the right hand corner and move to the left.

How many panels are there on this page?

• 1

• 9

• 3

• 6

Which panel should be read fourth on this page?

• 
• 
• 
• 

This bubble shows a character is...

• yelling

• thinking

• whispering

• speaking

The_________________composes the text that appears in the novel.

(ONE WORD)