Overview

As many of you know, linguistics is basically the study of language. as such, I am here using the term "linguistic" to refer to any benefits relating specifically to the development of language. I realize that these could be lumped in with literacy benefits but I decided to give them their own category in order to emphasize that while related, literacy and preliminary language acquisition involve slightly differing skills sets. In this section of the unit, you will learn about some of the ways the sequential art is beneficial in language development. Please read the mini-lecture below.

Mini-Lecture

Language Acquisition - "Due to their visual nature, comics and graphic novels provide a context-rich, high-interest story environment for acquiring new vocabulary. Thomsen (1996) stated that “visual communication is rich, evocative and immediate, and transcends barriers that language sometimes raises. When pictures and words are used together to communicate, the result can be much greater than either alone could produce” (n.p.). Children who grow up on comic books often seem to have better vocabulary and understanding of how to use verb tenses than those who do not read comics (Kerr & Culhane, 2000). Indeed, the average comic book introduces children to twice as many words as the average children’s book and five times as many words as they were likely to be exposed to in the average child–adult conversation. Krashen (1993) reported that graphic novels are linguistically appropriate and bear no negative impact on language acquisition, and, in fact, light reading (which includes graphic novels) positively correlates with achievement."

Second Language Learning - "Graphic novels and comics can assist second-language learning by providing engaging content in a sequential, logical order." For example, "for Deaf students, who have not experienced many child–adult conversations in English, this genre provides a scaffolded resource for vocabulary and syntax."

Tasks for Unit Two, Part 2

Please go to the Sequential Art Discussion Area. Create a post in which you detail ways in which you might use sequential art to help teach students vocabulary. Remember, there is not much research on the benefits of sequential art in the classroom so it is somewhat subjective. Support you answer with information from the mini lecture. Be sure to sign your name to your post! When you finish, please continue on to Unit Two, Part 3.

Navigation

Forward to Unit Two, Part 3 - The Literacy Benefits of Sequential Art

Back to Unit Two: Why is Sequential Art Beneficial in the English Language Arts Classroom?

Back to Integrating Sequential Art into an English Language Arts Curriculum

References

Smetana, L., Odelson, D., Burns, H., & Grisham, D. L. (2009, November). Using Graphic Novels in the High School Classroom: Engaging Deaf Students With a New Genre. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy , 228-240.