I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this project. I read “Into the Volcano” by Don Wood. I was worried that I would not be interested in graphic novels but then I realized they may be the best suited book for me. I often end up reading books only for dialogue and skipping descriptive paragraph. I figure my imagination can fill in the holes. Graphic novels rely heavily, if not solely, on dialogue to move the story along. I didn’t have to skip over paragraphs because there are not many in the graphic novel I read. I often have trouble following dialogue in books. I get lost or confused and forget who said what. Graphic novels always point out who is talking. I understood who was saying what at all times.
I also looked into some of Shakespeare’s plays that have been converted into graphic novels. I did not occur to me that his plays are perfectly suited for the graphic novel format. He gave very little stage direction, but his exquisite dialogue makes up for that fact. Most of the graphic novels are written in modern English also making it easier for students to understand and appreciate his work.
I like how this project can help students learn about writing for a specific audience. The front cover gives them freedom to go crazy with pictures or drawing but the others flaps force them to channel their thinking. The back flap encourages them to write a biography about the author of the novel. They have to give information to the readers and make the author sound appealing. The back cover allows them to act like critics who praise the book. These have to be creative as well or people would not believe the book is worth their time. Writing to a consumer type audience forces the students to take their passion for the book and sell it. They have to twist their love of the novel into a sales pitch so others will read the book as well.