Vocabulary for visuals

Question 1

Panel

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Gutter

Answer 2

This is the space between the panels. These spaces can be large or small, impacting how easy it is to read the pages.

Question 3

Tier

Answer 3

A single row of panels.

Question 4

Splash

Answer 4

A full-page illustration which often is used at the beginning of the comic book to introduce the story and establish setting and mood.

Question 5

Spread

Answer 5

An illustration that is spread out over more than one page.

Question 6

Caption

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Speech bubble

Answer 7

These contain the dialogue of the characters and inside the panel. Each balloon has a “tail,” which points to who is speaking the dialogue.

Question 8

Closure

Answer 8

The reader performs closure by using background knowledge and an understanding of panel relations to combine panels mentally into events

Question 9

Encapsulation

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Symbolism in a cartoon

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

Exaggeration in a cartoon

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Labeling in a cartoon

Answer 12

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?

Question 13

Analogy in a cartoon

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

Irony in a cartoon

Answer 14

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?

Question 15

Color and lighting

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

Salience and vectors

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Gaze and body language

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

Pronunciation Guide

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Sidebar

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Inset

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Cross section

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Cutaway

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Diagram

Answer 23

A series of pictures with captions showing steps,
stages, or the progression of events

Explains steps in a process or how something is made

Question 24

Labeled Diagram

Answer 24

A picture with labels on lines pointing to various parts

Shows the different components of something in the text

Question 25

Drawing (with or without caption)

Answer 25

A hand-created sketch; captions explain what is in the drawing Helps the reader visualize and better understand something from the text

Question 26

To signal addition of ideas

Answer 26

and, also, besides, further, furthermore, too, moreover, in addition, then, of equal importance, equally important, another

Question 27

To signal time

Answer 27

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

Question 28

To signal order or sequence

Answer 28

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

Question 29

To signify space and place

Answer 29

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

Question 30

To signal an example

Answer 30

for example, to illustrate, for instance, to be specific, such as,moreover, furthermore, just as important, similarly, in the same way

Question 31

To show results

Answer 31

as a result, hence, so, accordingly, as a consequence, consequently, thus, since, therefore, for this reason, because of this

Question 32

To signal purpose

Answer 32

to this end, for this purpose, with this in mind, for this reason, for these reasons

Question 33

To signal comparisons

Answer 33

like, in the same (like) manner or way, similarly

Question 34

To indicate contrast

Answer 34

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

Question 35

To signal alternatives, exceptions, and objections

Answer 35

although, though, while, despite, to be sure, it is true, true, I grant, granted, I admit, admittedly, doubtless, I concede, regardless

Question 36

To dispute

Answer 36

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

Question 37

To intensify

Answer 37

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

Question 38

To summarize or repeat

Answer 38

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