Graphic Essay Guidelines…… What is a “graphic essay”? A graphic essay contains all the components of an essay, except it is not written in true essay form; instead, you use pictures and symbols to help illustrate what you would typically put in an essay response Along with the “graphics” of your essay, you need to add the following: ★ Quotes and explanation of those quotes ★ Three themes that are present in the story along with graphic interpretations of those themes ★ Examples to support your themes ★ Reflection of what your examples/themes mean to you and how they fit into the story Some other aspects to consider….. ❖ Think about the timeline of the story and the major events that happened to the characters. What themes or life lessons were learned? ❖ What was the climax or turning point of the story? Is there a theme to go with it? ❖ What character traits, both physical and personality-wise, did the main characters have? Do they believe in certain values, morals, and obligations? ❖ Offer concrete or real details with your graphic images. For example, don’t just point out an example of a theme, but add to the example by doing the following: ➢ Add commentary or your own reflection/thoughts on how this theme fits not only the story but in your own life ➢ Use examples from other stories that you have read that the audience most likely is already familiar with. ➢ Add color or shading to your symbols/images and think about some artistic techniques that you have learned ➢ Research other information that may fit into your commentaries to help the audience understand where you are coming from: for example, “To Kill a Mockingbird” takes place during The Great Depression. Tie that event to your theme examples. Or take the fact that Scout is not an “ordinary” girl in the south. What are girls usually supposed to be like during that time period in that area of the country at Scout’s tender age of 8? But How Do I Get Started… ❏ What themes do you want to discuss in your graphic essay? List them. ❏ What images or pictures do you associate or think of with those themes? List them. ❏ What scenes in the story demonstrate or play-out those themes? ❏ Are there any quotes that fall into fitting into those themes? Find ‘em and write ‘em. ❏ What are your thoughts/reflections/commentary on those events and themes? How do they fit into your essay? ❏ What do you want your audience to remember most about your essay? How do these themes affect their lives or times today? ❏ Even if you are not “artistic,” you still can organize, design, implement, and proceed to creating an amazing graphic essay. Don’t let your fear of the unknown squash your creativeness.
