Evaluating Graphic Novels Take on Challenges Facing Girls

How do you graphic novels (yes, both of them) explain the issue at hand? What does this tell us about the world as a whole? What argument can you make that will allow you to explore both texts in depth?

The final analytical aspect of your graphic novel mini-unit is to craft an essay centered on your social issue. How do you graphic novels (yes, both of them) explain the issue at hand? What does this tell us about the world as a whole? What argument can you make that will allow you to explore both texts in depth?

Your topic is: “Evaluate the approach your graphic novels take on your social issue.”

Some ideas on how to organize your essay:

-          Introduction:  Will provide a short hook that links to central ideas of the prompt.  Will introduce the authors, works being discussed and the prompt.  Your introduction must include a thesis of course.

-          Thesis: Write your thesis, which should be a clear (generally one or two sentences) statement expressing your opinion and showing what you will argue/prove/highlight. Use the prompt to create your thesis. Think about what ties your two graphic novels together.

-          Outline: Quickly outline your main points on your planning page. Write it out. Do NOT try to keep your outline in your head and just start writing (Trust me- this will save you time when you are writing).

-          References: Use both direct and indirect references to the resources you include. This means to not be overly reliant on direct quotations. Use an effective amount, but also paraphrase some of your source material, continuing to use appropriate citations.

-          Summarizing and paraphrasing requires skills beyond merely adding quotations from sources, which is why good practice requires you to do both. Being able to use both types of references demonstrates your skill as a writer.

-          Cite: Cite only what is needed, not more, not less. If you only need a small phrase from a quotation, use that. Generally speaking, use direct quotations when you cannot say it better in a paraphrase of the original.

-          Paraphrasing: When paraphrasing, be careful not to interpret. Shorten the work with precision, keeping the exact argument/idea intact. Do not misrepresent evidence to make it fit your thesis.

-          Body Paragraphs: For body paragraphs, generally do the following…

-          Topic Sentence: open with a claim directly related to your thesis (POINT)

-          Use source materials to support it, using signal phrases, argument verbs, and parenthetical citations (EVIDENCE/EXAMPLE)

-          Provide analysis of the quotation/paraphrase relative to your claim (EXPLANATION)

-          Link the material back to your thesis. (LINK)

-          Conclusion: Provide a brief summary of your most important points. Restate your thesis and make sure your essay sounds finished. This means no adding new information!

This essay will be typed, MLA. You can do the rough draft(s) by hand but the final copy must be typed, MLA format. Depending on your topic you may want to do include research outside of the comics and/or outside of the given extra resources. If you choose to add in more research that is totally fine just make sure you cite your sources. If you are having trouble figuring out how to cite a source owl.purdue.edu and citefast.com are good resources to use.

How to cite a comic book or a graphic novel

To cite a comic book in print, find the following pieces of information:

1. The author’s name
2. The title of the comic book issue
3. The title of the comic book series
4. The volume and issue number
5. The name of the publisher
6. City and state, or city and country of publisher
7. Year published
8. A page or page range (if citing only a specific portion of the comic book)

Note: For the purpose of this assignment use the PDF page numbers when using in-text citations.

To cite a Wonder Woman comic or another comic book in print MLA 8, follow this format:

Author’s Last name, First name. “Title of Comic Book Issue.” Title of Comic Book Series, vol. number, issue

no., Name of Publisher, Year published, p. or pp. range.

Here’s an example of how to cite a Wonder Woman comic book found in print in MLA 8:

Azzarello, Brian. Wonder Woman. No. 1, DC Comics, 2011.
​
*Note that this specific issue of Wonder Woman does not have a separate title for the issue and another title for the series. This issue and series are both titled as Wonder Woman. When the issue and the series have the same exact title, it is not necessary to type out both titles, only include the series title.