Vocabulary for visuals Flashcards
Panel
A panel is one illustration on a page usually surrounded by a border. A comic book page is made up of one or more panels. Each panel moves the story along, by depicting an action with figures and speech bubbles.
Gutter
This is the space between the panels. These spaces can be large or small, impacting how easy it is to read the pages.
Tier
A single row of panels.
Splash
A full-page illustration which often is used at the beginning of the comic book to introduce the story and establish setting and mood.
Spread
An illustration that is spread out over more than one page.
Caption
A box that is separate from the rest of the panel usually used to provide context for what’s happening through the voice of a narrator.
Speech bubble
These contain the dialogue of the characters and inside the panel. Each balloon has a “tail,” which points to who is speaking the dialogue.
Closure
The reader performs closure by using background knowledge and an understanding of panel relations to combine panels mentally into events
Encapsulation
The capturing of prime moments in a story. Not every moment of a story is presented in comics. For the artist, encapsulation involves choosing what will be presented in which panels, how many panels will be used to present the action, and the size and layout of the panels.
Symbolism in a cartoon
Cartoonists use simple objects, or symbols, to stand for larger concepts or ideas. After you identify the symbols in a cartoon, think about what the cartoonist means each symbol to stand for.
Exaggeration in a cartoon
Sometimes cartoonists overdo, or exaggerate, the physical
characteristics of people or things in order to make a point.
When you study a cartoon, look for any characteristics that seem overdone or overblown. (Facial characteristics and clothing are some of the most commonly exaggerated characteristics.) Then, try to decide what point the cartoonist was trying to make by
exaggerating them.
Labeling in a cartoon
Cartoonists often label objects or people to make it clear exactly what they stand for. Watch out for the different labels that appear in a cartoon, and ask yourself why the cartoonist chose to label that particular person or object. Does the label make the meaning of the object more clear?
Analogy in a cartoon
An analogy is a comparison between two unlike things. By
comparing a complex issue or situation with a more familiar one, cartoonists can help their readers see it in a different light. After you’ve studied a cartoon for a while, try to decide what the cartoon’s main analogy is. What two situations does the cartoon compare? Once you understand the main analogy, decide if this comparison makes the cartoonist’s point more clear to you.
Irony in a cartoon
Irony is the difference between the ways things are and the way things should be, or the way things are expected to be. Cartoonists often use irony to express their opinion on an issue. When you look at a cartoon, see if you can find any irony in the situation the cartoon depicts. If you can, think about what point the irony might be intended to emphasize. Does the irony help the cartoonist express his or her opinion more effectively?
Color and lighting
Colour and lighting are the most obvious techniques to observe first when analysing a visual text. This is because colours represent a range of different feelings and emotions, whilst lighting assist to enhance this. For example, the colour red is usually symbolic of lust and anger, whilst yellow is symbolic of happiness and optimism, and green can be associated with nature and life. Analysing the colours used in a visual text can therefore be helpful when determining the mood that is being conveyed towards the audience. Contrast can also be analysed when observing the colour of a visual text, for example contrasts between black and white, or dark and light colours, which in turn allows for things within the image to stand out based on their relevance and importance to the meaning of the text.
Salience and vectors
Salience and vectors are also important components to be analysed in a visual text. The salient feature of a visual text refers to wherever the viewer’s eyes are drawn to first. This is always done deliberately and is essential to convey to viewers what part of the image is most important towards the overall meaning of the text. Salient features often take the form of a person, an animal or an important word that needs to stand out.
The vector is the feature of a visual text which the audience’s eyes will follow a path towards when viewing the image and is often the second most important area for viewing following the salient. Analysing the vector is essential when discussing a visual text as it usually provides a deeper meaning or understanding towards what is being conveyed in the image. For example, a salient feature of an image may be a crying women, whilst the vector may be a gravestone in the background, providing a deeper meaning to the story shown in the image; that the women is sad over the death of a loved one.
Gaze and body language
Gaze referrers to the direction in which a character is looking within the image, which in turn directs where the audience will subsequently look. There are different terms used to describe different gazes, for example an ‘offer’ gaze refers to the character looking towards another area in the image, which is usually important for viewers to follow when understanding the importance and meaning of features being presented. A ‘demand’ gaze refers to the characters eyes making direct contact with the eyes of the audience, such as the famous Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo da Vinci, which is often important when analysing the mood and emotions of a character based on their facial expression. This is linked to body language, as the gestures and positioning of a character can convey meaning regarding their attitude and personality. For example, a slouched over woman with her head tilted down, gazing towards the floor may be experiencing sadness or grief.
Pronunciation Guide
A phonetic representation of a word usually located
in parentheses after the word has appeared in the text.
Shows the reader how to pronounce a new or unusual word
Sidebar
Additional text (not the main body of text) within a box, often with a shaded background; located at the sides, top, or bottom of a page
Provides additional details, facts, or information related to the text
Inset
A small photo, picture, or map inside or next to a larger picture; insets magnify a part of the larger picture
Helps the reader visualize something in the text in both large and small scale, in combination with the
Cross section
A picture of a person, place, or thing that has been cut completely in half, with the open half facing forward so the entire inside is revealed
Allows the reader to visualize all the layers of a person, place, or thing in the text
Cutaway
A picture of an object with part of the side dissolved, partially revealing the inside
Allows the reader to visualize both the interior and exterior of a person, place, or thing in the text
Diagram
A series of pictures with captions showing steps,
stages, or the progression of events
Explains steps in a process or how something is made
Labeled Diagram
A picture with labels on lines pointing to various parts
Shows the different components of something in the text
Drawing (with or without caption)
A hand-created sketch; captions explain what is in
the drawing
Helps the reader visualize and better understand
something from the text
To signal addition of ideas
and, also, besides, further, furthermore, too, moreover, in addition, then, of equal importance, equally important, another
To signal time
next, afterward, finally, later, last, lastly, at last, now, subsequently, then, when, soon, thereafter, after a short time, the next week (month,day, etc.), a minute later, in the meantime, meanwhile, on the following day, at length, ultimately, presently
To signal order or sequence
first, second, (etc.), finally, hence, next, then, from here on, to begin with, last of all, after, before, as soon as, in the end, gradually
To signify space and place
above, behind, below, beyond, here, there, to the right (left), nearby, opposite, on the other side, in the background, directly ahead, along the wall, as you turn right, at the tip, across the hall, at this point, adjacent to
To signal an example
for example, to illustrate, for instance, to be specific, such as,moreover, furthermore, just as important, similarly, in the same way
To show results
as a result, hence, so, accordingly, as a consequence, consequently, thus, since, therefore, for this reason, because of this
To signal purpose
to this end, for this purpose, with this in mind, for this reason, for these reasons
To signal comparisons
like, in the same (like) manner or way, similarly
To indicate contrast
but, in contrast, conversely, however, still, nevertheless, nonetheless, yet, and yet, on the other hand, of course, on the contrary, or, in spite of this, actually, a year ago, now, notwithstanding, for all that, strangely enough, ironically
To signal alternatives, exceptions, and objections
although, though, while, despite, to be sure, it is true, true, I grant, granted, I admit, admittedly, doubtless, I concede, regardless
To dispute
it isn’t true that, people are wrong who say that, deny that, be that as it may, by the same token, no doubt, we often hear it said, many people claim, many people suppose, it used to be thought, in any case
To intensify
above all, first and foremost, importantly, again, to be sure, indeed, in fact, as a matter of fact, as I have said, as has been noted
To summarize or repeat
in summary, to sum up, to repeat, briefly, in short, finally, on the whole, therefore, as I have said, in conclusion, as you can see
