The Secret Language of Comics

Author: Sarah

Sk11: Assemblies

Student Posts

Since Christmas is coming, I get inspiration from the shape of the Christmas Tree. The tree of my academic journey this semester stands tall, with each light and present representing the myriad skills and projects that I have developed and completed. At the pinnacle, the star—the reflection letter—symbolizes the culmination of my learning, shedding light on the path I’ve traversed.

Just below the star, the “Pecha Kucha” bauble sparkles with the essence of concise oral storytelling. It taught me the art of brevity and the skill of focusing on the most salient points of my narrative. The “Final Portfolio” that branches out alongside is the robust assembly of my works, showcasing my progress and the breadth of my capabilities. Encircling the tree, the “10 Sunday Sketches” are like the lights, brightening my understanding of various topics with quick bursts of creativity. Each sketch was an opportunity to explore ideas rapidly and without the pressure of perfection, allowing for a free flow of thoughts. Lower on the tree, the “Literacy Narrative” series presents a trio of gifts, each unwrapped through the semester. The first narrative was the foundation, a platform where I explored my relationship with reading and writing. The second, in the form of a comic, added a visual dimension to my storytelling, challenging me to convey meaning clearly beyond words. The third narrative was the synthesis of my learning, where I could apply the feedback from the previous two and refine my storytelling craft. Another gift under the tree, comprised of “Tracing, Stitches & Spinning,” represents the fundamental skills—research, drafting, and revising—that are the roots of all academic writing. This assignment taught me to explore more details in the comic: the frame, the image, the facial expression and so on.

In crafting this Christmas tree diagram, I’ve learned that my growth as a writer and reader is not just a linear progression but a seasonal cycle of learning and reflection. Each component, each project, and each skill is an integral part of the whole, contributing to the stability and beauty of the entire structure. As I step back and view this tree in all its decorated glory, I see not just a series of assignments completed but a structure of learning—a testament to the knowledge I’ve gathered and the intellectual ornaments I’ve accrued along the way.

Halfa Kucha Reflection

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Halfa Kucha is a form of presentation that I have not experienced at all before. The challenge is to convey complex themes through a harmonious blend of visuals and speech, a task that offered unique insights and learning.

Constructing a clear and interesting argument is the first obstacle. I finally chose this topic because I considered both Spinning and Kindred describe trauma from a female perspective. The difference is that Spinning is a memoir that records Tillie’s personal experiences, while Kindred puts women’s trauma into a broader and historical background. Different from essay writing, the presentation demanded a more focused and streamlined approach, ensuring that each slide succinctly complemented the spoken word. Structuring the argument for the presentation was an exercise in clarity and brevity; it necessitated the distillation of complex ideas into digestible chunks without losing their essence. This experience highlighted the importance of structural coherence, a strategy I now see as equally beneficial in written work. It has taught me the value of clear, concise argumentation, regardless of the medium.

The choice of visuals was pivotal in this presentation. Each image was carefully selected to resonate with the themes of trauma and recovery, enhancing the narrative rather than detracting from it. The challenge lay in finding the delicate balance between visual impact and informational content. I aimed for each slide to evoke emotion or understanding, supporting the narrative arc. This process was a lesson in restraint and impact, teaching me how a well-chosen image can speak volumes, a principle that can be applied to enhance the persuasiveness of written arguments as well. In addition, I put some core sentences on the slides to let the audience better understand my ideas. Through the preparation and rereading of these books, I learned that mourning is an ongoing process, and reconnection is not just about getting back to “normal”. The whole recovery is about growth, acceptance, and forging a new path forward.

The unique format of a timed slideshow presentation forced me to adapt my speaking to a predetermined pace. This restriction made me more conscious of the timing and rhythm of my speech, a skill not usually exercised in other formats. Observing my classmates’ presentations was equally enlightening. Their diverse approaches to storytelling and visual engagement provided me with a broader perspective on presentation styles and different arguments. Reflecting on what could have been improved, I believe my pacing could have been better synchronized with the slides, and I could use more concise words to convey my ideas in limited time.

This experience has been instrumental in honing my skills in constructing arguments and delivering presentations. It has taught me the importance of structure, visual storytelling, and the rhythm of speech. As I move forward, these lessons will not only influence my future presentations but also enrich my approach to writing, allowing me to convey complex ideas with greater clarity and impact. Storytelling, whether through spoken words or written text, is a powerful tool in dissecting and communicating intricate themes such as trauma and healing, and this experience has been invaluable in appreciating and harnessing this power.

Literacy narrative part 3 Refelction

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The Journey of Words: Shaping My Experiences with Reading and Writing

Embarking on the literacy narrative project, I was challenged to weave my personal experiences with reading and writing into a coherent and engaging narrative. This task resonated with the course outcome of composing texts in various genres and modes. The project demanded a balance between narrative storytelling and reflective analysis, integrating personal anecdotes with a broader exploration of literacy. This blend of genres enhanced my ability to communicate effectively in diverse literary forms.

In addition, the literacy narrative project exemplified writing as a recursive process, aligning with the course’s third learning outcome. Crafting this narrative involved multiple stages of drafting, revising, and refining my thoughts. This process was not linear; it required revisiting and reevaluating my experiences, demonstrating the iterative nature of writing and its potential for personal discovery and expression. In the first draft of literacy narrative 1, I had difficulties balancing the writing process with my own reflection and thoughts. The literacy narrative comics helped me a lot with consolidating my ideas and contents. In the comics, I try to use as less words as I can to explain the context and convey my ideas clearly. Therefore, when doing the literacy narrative part 3, I can better concise my words and narratives. When finding a clearer theme of the whole essay, I also have a more evident outline of my reading and writing journey.

Writing the literacy narrative was an enlightening experience that extended beyond the realm of a simple assignment. It was an opportunity to introspect, analyze, and articulate my journey through the world of literacy. This process not only met the learning outcomes of our course but also provided me with valuable insights into my own development as a reader and writer.

Sk10 Mix Tape: LOVE TALE

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Inspiring from the example “a mix for a good friend who had just went through a bad breakup”, my mix tape centers around the universal theme of love and romantic relationships, a subject that resonates deeply with most people. “Love Tale” was envisioned as a narrative arc, taking listeners through the euphoria of new love, the complexities of deepening intimacy, the turbulence of relationship challenges, and the introspective aftermath of a breakup. The intent was to create not just a playlist but a story that resonates on an emotional level, reflecting the highs and lows of romantic endeavors.

The mix tape has a chronological narrative: the songs were carefully sequenced to mirror the timeline of a relationship. For example, “Call Me Maybe” initiates the mix with its portrayal of initial attraction, while “Can’t Help Falling in Love” signifies the deepening of feelings. Each track was selected for its ability to evoke the emotions characteristic of each relationship stage. “Love Story” by Taylor Swift, for instance, captures the idealistic and dreamy nature of budding love, whereas “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran represents the maturity and depth of a more established bond. In order to ensure the genre diversity: I included a range of genres. From the pop sensations of Carly Rae Jepsen to the classic allure of Elvis Presley, the mixtape traverses various musical styles to ensure wide appeal. To maintain a rich tapestry of voices and styles, I deliberately chose not to repeat artists. This rule was crucial in ensuring a varied and dynamic listening experience, showcasing different perspectives on love and relationships.

In aligning with the chronological narrative, the mixtape starts with the bright and hopeful beginnings of love, gradually transitions into more profound and complex emotions, navigates through the struggles and misunderstandings, and culminates in the reflective phase of breakup and moving on. Each song was a piece of the puzzle, chosen for its thematic and emotional relevance to the stage it represented. The song choices were deliberate and purposeful. “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri, for instance, was selected for its portrayal of enduring love, symbolizing the commitment phase. In contrast, “Gone” by Rosé and “Love Me No More” by LinG articulate the pains and trials of a relationship under strain. The final songs, particularly “Someone Like You” by Adele, offer a powerful closure, encompassing acceptance and hope for future life.

Though not an explicit argument, “Love Tale” posits that the experience of love, in all its stages, is an integral and enriching part of the human experience. It subtly argues that each phase of a relationship, joyful or painful, contributes to our personal narrative and growth. The mix tape, in its compilation and progression, suggests embracing the full spectrum of love’s experiences.

Sk9: Recreate a movie scene

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While I was initially fretting about which movie scene to choose, I noticed a green dress in my friend’s closet. The green dress immediately reminded me of the heroine in the movie Atonement. I was fascinated by its tragedy when I first watched this movie. In the recreation of the iconic scene from “Atonement,” where the character Cecilia sits on the edge of a fountain at night, contemplating deeply, the essence is captured through meticulous attention to mood and setting. I chose the steps near White Hall that is surrounded by trees to replicate the dim environment. The moonlight and lighting in the recreation, with a soft glow in the backdrop and a night setting, helps replicate the dramatic and moody atmosphere of the film’s scene. I really love this assignment because it relates movie scenes with our daily life.

Sk8: Data visualization for my happiness every day

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The primary question I sought to answer was: how closely does my objective recording of factors contributing to happiness (such as exercise, sleep, diet, leisure, and social interaction) correlate with my subjective feelings of happiness on a day-to-day basis?

Drawing from the data, there’s a noticeable correlation between days with higher levels of exercise, satisfactory diets, and ample sleep with increased feelings of happiness. This suggests that physical well-being significantly influences emotional states. However, there are instances where even with adequate sleep and exercise, the happiness score is relatively low. This could be attributed to factors outside of the recorded parameters, perhaps work-related stress or personal issues. The decision to visualize this data using bar graphs was to offer a clear comparison between external factors and internal feelings on a day-to-day basis. The visual representation showcases the ebb and flow of happiness, emphasizing that it’s a culmination of various factors, some tangible and others intangible. In addition, the charts show a clear trend: the closer I get to the weekend, the higher the happiness index. That is because social interaction plays an important role in my happiness. I love to gain energy and get refreshed during the interaction with my friends.

If this project were to be continued, it might be beneficial to refine the categories. For instance, breaking down “leisure time” into specific activities could offer more precise insights into which leisure activities contribute most to happiness. Furthermore, tracking other variables like stress levels or external factors (like weather or significant events) could add more depth to the analysis. Data visualization proves to be a valuable tool for self-analysis for me . Visualizing personal data in this manner offers a unique perspective on one’s life and can be a guide for making informed decisions to enhance well-being. Nonetheless, this endeavor underscores the importance of holistic self-awareness and the intricate dance between our external actions and internal emotions.

Literacy narrative comic reflection

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link to https://sarahshao04.wordpress.com/literacy-narrative-comic/

Delving into the realm of comics to articulate my literacy narrative was an enlightening and transformative experience that not only reshaped my perception of storytelling but also redefined my understanding of literary articulation.

Shifting from an alphabetic narrative to a comic format was admittedly challenging at first. While textual narratives offer depth and detail, comics introduce an added dimension: the visual. This transition forced me to think beyond mere words and focus on how visuals could be harmonized with text to create a coherent, compelling story. Integrating visuals was not about mere aesthetic appeal but about amplifying the emotional resonance of the narrative. Every line, shade, and color scheme became a tool to evoke specific emotions and sentiments. I found myself contemplating not just what the story was but how it felt. The visuals allowed the narrative to transcend textual limitations, providing a richer, multi-sensory experience. For example, my initial draft were mostly black and white, but I felt that the emotion cannot be expressed vividly. Inspiring from Spinning, I used much grey color at the begging of the story and used a variety of vibrant colors in the latter part of my comic to show the transformation and colorfulness that social media has brought to my life. On the last page of this comic, I filled in the memory bubbles with different colors to represent how these memories shape my reading and writing journey.

The challenge was not only in drafting but in analyzing how each visual element aligned with the narrative’s core message. Decisions regarding which portions needed visualization versus textual elucidation required a different kind of analytical approach. It became crucial to strike a balance, ensuring neither the text nor the visuals overshadowed the other. When working on a traditional writing, the analysis was predominantly about the content, ensuring coherence, flow, and relevance. Now, it extended to include the design aspect—how to best represent a feeling, an idea, or an event visually without overcrowding the panel or losing its essence. Would a close-up of a face capture the emotion better, or a full-body shot to showcase the surroundings? These were the new questions I found myself grappling with. I have simplified my text twice in order to emphasize the visual elements, but I still have difficulty in putting the text into perfect concise text since it is really hard for me to simply show the images without explaining sufficient background information.

This project encourages me to take a huge step towards my learning outcomes for this semester.Crafting this comic epitomized composing texts using multiple modes. The intertwining of text and visuals affirmed the power of multimodal storytelling. In addition, this project was a testament to the iterative nature of writing, from initial sketches to final drafts, emphasizing the importance of revision and reflection. Peer reviews and classroom discussions were instrumental in refining my comic. Collaborative insights enriched the final product. Crafting a digital comic underscored the importance of using technology responsibly. It honed my skills in digital storytelling, ensuring the narrative was both engaging and ethically crafted.

Tracing Pages Reflection

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When I first began this tracing project, I was admittedly skeptical about its difference from traditional comparative analysis. The process of physically tracing and annotating two pages from the books seemed far removed from the traditional analytical writing I was used to. However, now that I’ve completed it, my initial hesitation has transformed into an appreciation for this hands-on approach.

The act of tracing and annotating was surprisingly enlightening. By tracing, I was able to immerse myself in the visual narrative in a way that mere observation couldn’t allow. Each curve and line I traced drew my attention to subtle details I’d previously overlooked. Annotating alongside allowed me to capture my observations in real-time. For example, in “Stitches,” I realized how the disproportionate size of a tear on a character’s face could encapsulate a world of grief. Also, after filtering the words and dialogue, I can pay more attention to the subtle change in the gesture and facial expression of the characters.

Adapting to an inductive essay structure with an “And-But-Therefore” (ABT) thesis was challenging initially. I am accustomed to starting essays with a clear thesis, but this method pushed me to build my arguments progressively, making the final thesis more thoughtful. It was a restructuring of my usual analytical process : instead of presenting my point and then defending it, I laid down the observations, added nuances, and then synthesized them into a coherent argument. I finally made the thesis: ” Both “Stitches” and “Spinning” harness the emotive power of tears and manipulate time, but they apply these elements differently to accentuate the emotional resonance of their narratives, therefore highlighting the inherent versatility of the comic medium. “

This assignment undoubtedly deepened my understanding of the intricate language of comics. Tracing and annotating forced me to slow down and appreciate the craftsmanship behind each panel. This close reading exercise shed light on how even minor details can significantly impact the narrative. Post this project, I feel I understand “Stitches” and “Spinning” at a much deeper level.

link to analysis: sarahshao04.wordpress.com/drawing-emotions-a-comparative-analysis-of-stitches-and-spinning/

link to assignment prompt

Sketch 7: Quadriptych

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This assignment was inspired by my best friends, who has a strange compulsion: she likes to put things off until it is exactly at o’clock. This is actually a manifestation of procrastination. The biggest challenge of this assignment and the difference with triptych is that there is an extra panel, which I thought would make it easier to make the story clearer. But in fact, the four panels make us need to have abetter control of the structure of the story. I want to use this story to remind myself not to be a procrastinator all the time.

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