Reading and Writing about Comics ala McCloud Part 2

After reading Scott McCloud’s Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art and trying to apply that information in my previous blog, I decided to take a look at the comic selection by my fellow classmates and see what they had to say. I liked what Beth - click on the following link to read her blog: http://elogsdon009.blogspot.com/ had to say about the comic: “Deranged Delusions Episode 11: Hair Die” it can be located by clicking here: http://derangeddelusions.net/Deranged_Delusions/Comics/9EE3C6CA-85D2-48C8-AC84-9963D7278BE0.html. I agree that it’s cute and simple, as well as her other ideas about this comic. She indicates that due to the simplicity of the comic and lack of extensive verbal cues the reader must infer what is happening within the seven-panel layout. She reminds us how McCloud describes “the in-betweener” theory” on page 88 about how the brain has to fill in gaps in between pictures to be able to understand what is taking place.

The comic has seven panels that have an interesting arrangement that helps the reader get a better idea of what is happening. There are two columns with seven panels that have a sort of zigzag layout. I think they are the subject – to – subject panel type because all of the panels pretty much stay in the same scene and with the same idea. The characters are simplified iconic line drawings in vivid basic colors. There is a blank white background in every panel. The first panel is at the top left in the first column. It contains a purple frog and a penguin that asks the frog why he is purple.

Panel two in column two and has the same two characters and the purple frog’s answer to the penguin is, “hair dyes.” Panel three, column one shows the penguin throwing the purple frog into a bathtub with blue dye. Panel four is dropped down and slightly overlaps panel three showing that the scene is connected - the gutter area is eliminated by this overlap. In this panel the purple frog is sitting or swimming in the bathtub of blue dye. He says to the penguin, “It’s so wet.” Panel five is back in the first column but this time it is overlapping panel four, while panel six is overlapping it from column two. The panels seem to have an interwoven or braided layout.

This zig zagging with the over and under-lapping panels occurs from panel four through seven where most of the physical movement in the comic occurs. This overlap eliminates the gutter by connecting the movement of the panels and showing how each panel is interrelated to the one before or after. So even if there isn't a complete length of white space or gutter between each panel, the panels themselves require the mind to fill in the gaps and the "missing pieces" of the story. So this was an interesting way to layout and connect the panels. The white space around the comic, the layout connection, and how the action within each panel occurs helps the reader to better understand what is happening in the comic.

Another comic element that is seen in Episode 11: Hair Die is the use of different types of word balloons which McCloud discusses in Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art on page 134. The different types of word balloons along with the fonts and symbols can help the reader understand the verbal cues – and because there isn’t much dialogue in Hair Dies, the word balloons are very helpful. For example, the shape and lines kind of let us know the emotional element of what is being said. When the penguin first asks the frog a question in panel one, it is contained in a smooth oval balloon. In panel two when the frog says “hair dyes,” the word balloon and text looks like it has spikes around it indicating that the frog is answering in an elevated tone. The penguin’s word bubble shows what he is thinking, “oh god.” When the frog jumps out of the tub and has turned green, but also looks like his skin has turned into a monsterously furry coat, he exclaims that the water was bad in a sharp edged balloon. While this is a simple comic, it’s a good one to examine when considering some of the elements that Scott McCloud's book informs us about.

Blog 11: Reading and Writing about Comics ala McCloud, Part 1

Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud is a unique book that explains comics as a medium. The book is uses the comic medium to convey a lot of information that is both informative as well as entertaining. One of the drawbacks of the book is the lack of a glossary and an index, however reading the book and getting the information that McCloud shares with the reader almost makes up for those missing “book user” components.

It’s interesting to try applying the information in McCloud’s book, by considering a variety of comics. On McCloud’s website there is a good selection to consider when reading and learning about the elements in his book.

For example, in the comic, “Inertia Man,” located in the section called, “The Morning Improv Archive” on the website, click here for the link to this comic: http://www.scottmccloud.com/comics/mi/mi-12/mi-12.html we can examine several of the concepts that McCloud discusses with the reader.

“Inertia Man” is a five panel, brightly colored comic about an inert superhero. Inertia is the tendency of a body to resist movement, change, acceleration etc. Inertia Man does just that. He gets a warning from another superhero that the city is going to be destroyed by a doomsday machine and he remains inert until the city is blown up. The first panel is the title of the comic. The second panel has a simple pastel illustration of a city skyline in the background, while two superheroes are in bright primary colors in the foreground, presenting the majority of text in the form of dialogue. The third panel shows the same scene from panel two, only the other superhero has flown away and Inertia Man is unmoved. We are informed that it is “Twenty minutes later.” The fourth panel shows the word “Boom” with lines indicating movement; the blowing up of the city and Inertia Man is a radioactive skeleton. The fifth panel runs along the
bottom of the comic where Rhetorical Question Man asks us, "Is this the end of Inertia Man?"

One of the concepts in McCloud’s book that deserves to read and understood is his theory regarding a phenomena called “Closure” which he says means to observe the parts and perceive the whole. It must be similar to Gestalts theory where you can look at the parts of pattern and understand the shape it will form. McCloud says that “Closure can take many forms. Some simple, some complex” (64). For example, he says that sometimes outlines, shapes, lines that can trigger closure and that in comics, it is the reader that is “the conscious collaborator or participant and that closure is the agent of change, time, and motion” (65). The sequencing of the panel – to – panel transitions along with the gutter or space between the panels allow for “us to connect the moments within the comic and mentally construct a continuous , unified reality (67) There are several types of panel – to – panel sequencing. In “Inertia Man” the illustrator utilizes the type called, “Subject – to – Subject.” This type of transition occurs where the closure stays within the scene or the idea of the comic. If they didn't use color with this comic it would
be boring, because we expect our superheroes to by dynamic and colorful. McCloud mentions that use of subtler colors in the background helps to diminish the less important elements in the story, while brighter colors help to emphasize what is important. He also mentions that placing characters in the foreground is a popular western style of comic design.

Picturing Texts On The Web

According to an excerpt from, Picturing Texts accessed from Professor Steven D. Krause’s ENGL328 material reserves located at emuonlin.edu, it says, “Words, images, and other graphics all function as acts of communication.” The excerpt lists concepts that should be considered when working with visual and verbal texts. Balance, classification, comparison and contrast, description, emphasis, metaphor, narration, pattern, point of view, proportion, and unity are some of the key concepts that writers and readers consider when creating or reading a text.

I have been visiting a website for many years that I feel has a lot of these concepts. It’s called, “The Well” however it's only available by subscription. So, to be fair to those that cannot access the site, I have chosen another example of a well designed website that doesn’t cost anything. It has been around for a while and gone through several changes over the years, it’s called “Wired News”and it is located at the following address: http://www.wired.com/.

The front page (at least for today) is a good example of balance, pattern, and proportion. There is white space bordering the web page. A black task bar sections off the header and this ratio of header to body seems to be an example of the theory of the Golden Mean. The various sections are located in the body below the header and they are divided into four equal sized columns with each column sectioned off into equal units. This pattern helps the reader to quickly identify different sections of the website and the scale and proportion of images and text are equal in weight, which further emphasizes balance.

The web site also uses classification to organize the various topics and content. The first column has a graphic that corresponds to the second column’s categories and content. The graphic is linked to its section and the image helps to create interest while helping to describe the section. For example, the section by GeekDad is about the retro games for the Nintendo Wii gaming system and it has a old school (retro) cartoon monkey dressed in a Mariachi outfit holding a photo image of the Wii game controller.

The commercial advertising units are placed to right side of the web page and have also been placed to create balance and symmetry from the left to the right side of the page, the direction that our eye follows when reading and lets the reader know that the advertising is necessary, but it is not the most important item on the page.

Emphasis is seen on the web page by the size of the font and the placement of the text. The size of the font is varied so each section can be distinquished and identified easily. The colorful graphics that are linked to some of the articles, also catch the readers attention and draw the focus to those areas on the web page.

My favorite part of Wired.com is the section called, “WEBMONKEY” and while it too has changed over the years, it still has a tutorial section that uses graphics, images, and words that use charts, graphs, and videos to help teach the reader about various topics.I believe this is a well designed site that incorporates all of the visual rhetoric concepts and it’s also a good place to make the most of a computer.

Blog #9 Peer Review Recap, Part 2

The peer review for essay two using the Wet Paint environment was just as challenging as the first peer review using Google Docs. Getting instruction on how to use a new program right before a project is due is a big first hurdle. I think if we had initially, (like at the beginning of the semester) been instructed on how to use all of these new programs and had a chance to get comfortable using them and learning about some of the features, then the rest of the writing and peer review process wouldn’t have been so nerve-racking.

The turn around time for getting the assignment and coming up with the draft seems unfairly short. One of the problems is that the instructions for doing the essays have been vague – it’s really hard to figure out exactly what we are supposed to be doing. And secondly, the focus is so narrow and specific that it makes it seem like everyone is forced to write about nearly the same thing using the same limited resources. It gets a little confusing and causes a lot of frustration.

As for getting to the peer review process itself – due to the short amount of time that we have to compose a quality document (not), we are unable to make the most of our peer reviews because many students are getting their rough drafts and outlines peer reviewed – not the last draft before final revision. This has not been helpful – just a lot of crazy-busy work.

Getting to be the first person to edit the document is good, however it gets more annoying to peer review after multiple reviewers add more comments with the different colors of text. It interrupts the flow of the reading and I personally find it to be irritating. At least Google.docs had a highlighting label feature that kind of offset the comments.

Also it was time consuming to have to look through everyone’s files to find out if they had five reviews or not – but then it was time consuming looking for reviews to come through the email with Google.docs as well.

I think using an electronic peer review system is a really good idea – to save trees and everything, but we just need to find a system that has the features that work for this classroom. Maybe Dr. Krause is designing one or searching for the perfect peer review system as we write.
I wished that I had more time to work on my essays to get them to the point where peer review was actually worthwhile – but there simple isn’t enough time. For the short time we used the Wet Paint Wiki, it seemed that it was similar to Google.docs, except Wet Paint didn’t have the live update feature of Google.docs. I really enjoyed working with both environments, I just wish we had more time to learn how to really use and make the most of them.

What Others Are Saying

After reading several blogs from the ENG328 student blog project, it seems that most of the students agree that while Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style is “dry and boring” to read, it’s also a quick reference tool and a helpful rulebook on writing. It seems that Strunk and White provides a “real fast” fix for minor writing issues.

I appreciated reading the comments on Byron’s blog, “Krause's 328 Blog Assignments” http://bmosleysblog.blogspot.com/ which mentioned how the book can be “helpful to students of all ages.” As a non-traditional (older) student, I think it is important to consider my audience when I am evaluating books, resources, and materials.

Beth’s blog, “Beth's Bubble” http://elogsdon009.blogspot.com/ had a lot of insight on the books, especially on the point she made about Style: Toward Clarity and Grace, “That it takes longer to look up reference material in Williams.” I think she summed up the comparison of the two books for everyone, when she said, “Overall, I find that both of these books are great resources for us to use both in and out of the classroom. They both have their strengths and weaknesses, but can be very beneficial if used correctly.”

“Mike's Blog” http://mickes12.blogspot.com/ was enjoyable to read. I don’t know Mike personally, but from his writing, it’s evident that he is sincere, intelligent, and honest in his writing. I agree with his comments that it’s interesting to read other students’ comments about the readings. Mike also says that a good feature of blogging is that, “Using blogs can allow creativity and some time to post your blog” and that is also true.

Except – I am new to blogging and my learning curve must be really slow – sometimes I look at these blogs as “busy work” and with all of my other course work, a few long essays and hundreds of pages of reading to do each week for my literature classes, I have a tendency to put off doing all my blogs. I noticed the “side note” on “Hannah's ENGL328 Blog” http://hannahcsmart.blogspot.com/ where she remarked about “Why students weren’t doing their blogs and to “Go figure.” Gosh – I better get with the program and start brushing up on my html. I've already spent two hours just trying to format this blog and I still can't get it right!

Comparing Strunk and White's Elements of Style to Joseph William's Style, Toward Clarity and Grace

As part of writing ENG328 second essay, students were asked to compare two style books. The first book was The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. with Revisions, an Introduction, and a Chapter by E.B. White, 4th edition and the second book was Style, Toward Clarity and Grace by Joseph M. Williams. The books are both on writing and style and they are completely different from each other.

Strunk and White’s book was first published in 1918 and has gone through several revisions. This book lists basic rules and makes simple suggestions for formal or composition types of writing. It wasn’t meant as a way to teach writing, it was more like an aid to enable writers to eliminate common writing mistakes in their papers. At times while reading the book, it seems like the grammar police are issuing demands and laying down the law about what is and is not correct grammar. Other sections of the book seem as though the author is trying to be humorous about suggesting what is wrong and how to fix the problem. One of the problems that I find with the books is that it is extremely brief in explaining why and how to fix writing issues. It’s good to be made aware of the writing issues that the book addresses, however without an explanation of why something is supposedly problematic, it makes it difficult to see the importance of doing something about it – at least in my case. The book uses a basic formula of giving four bad writing examples with the corrected examples, and then adds a few comments about why the “good” examples are better than the bad examples - doesn’t really help me with my particular writing issues to be a better writer.


Willams’ book on style had ten chapters that actually explained how to construct sentences and paragraphs and he gives the rational for doing so. His book is about writing clearly and he provides step-by-step ways to go about writing. At the end of each chapter, Williams summarizes the information he has introduced and thoroughly explained. Each chapter builds upon the previous one; “Scaffolding” is the term they use in educational psychology as an effective teaching for learning method and the format of his book provides that for readers. Another feature of the book is that it incorporates diagrams, tables, summaries, labels, etc to break down the information for the reader. This book provides a methodical way of teaching writing and I believe it should be used to teach composition in high school and college writing courses. The information in Williams book is always consistent with the way the information is presented – there is no question that Williams practices what he teaches. This greatly contrasts with Strunk and Whites practice and preaching style.

From reading and comparing the two books, it is easy to see the difference in merely constructing grammatically correct sentences and in conveying information and thoughts in a clear and concise manner. The Strunk and White book has rules and suggestions, while the Williams’ book seems to be based on logic, planning, and real thinking about how to construct and execute good writing form.

Blog #5 Strunk and White: First Impressions

My first impression of The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. with Revisions, an Introduction, and a Chapter by E.B. White, 4th edition is that this very small book containing simple rules and basic information for using English language in formal writing. In my opinion, this is a book that was meant to be used as a reference source for intermediate writers that have had previous experience in written composition and that it was not meant to be used for teaching English. Beginning writers might find the format of the book boring to read or perhaps they might not have enough experience to appreciate the advice. The book was first published in 1918 and has been revised several times. While the information and structure of the book are current, some of the rules and language seem dated.

The book is divided into five sections. Each section contains brief rules and suggestions for composition writing. The first chapter is on basic grammar rules. In my opinion, it was actually helpful to have a quick review of grammar rules. It helped me realize that since I have been going to college, I have been relying on spelling and grammar checkers for all of my writing assignments. Chapter one, made me realize just how lazy I’ve gotten with grammar and it has helped me to realize that it’s time to be more proactive in learning how to write.

The second chapter had brief rules, more like helpful suggestions for composition. Reviewing information from this chapter reminded me of basic composition principals that I learned along time ago and had forgotten about. I found rule fourteen, “Use the active voice” to be helpful. It says, “The active voice is usually more direct and vigorous than the passive.” Additionally it says, “The habitual use of the active voice, however, makes for forcible writing. This is true not only of narrative concerned principally with action but in writing of any kind”(18). It gives a few examples in constructing sentences that result in more direct, bold, and concise writing.

A short list of technical ideas regarding formatting made up the third chapter. This chapter might help a new writer, however for students that have been using APA and MLA guidelines, this chapter was redundant.

Chapter four was interesting. It had suggestions for words and expressions that are considered to be commonly misused. I learned that there were several words that I have been misusing, but then there were also some questionable rules. For example, the definition of the following rule needs rewording, clarification, and updating: “Noun Used As Verb. Many nouns have lately been pressed into service as verbs. Not all are bad, but all are suspect” (54). The book gives some examples and then makes recommendations that I don’t feel are really that significant.

One example says, “The meeting was chaired by Mr. Oglethorpe.” Strunk and White’s recommendation is, “Mr. Oglethorpe chaired the meeting.” Another example says, “The candidate hosted a dinner for fifty of her workers.” The suggested change is, “The candidate gave a dinner for fifty of her workers.” Sometimes in writing, it’s more important to create interest and variety in sentences than in using plain and simple verbs for the sake of clarity.

This rule on “Avoiding using nouns as verbs” needs to be updated and reworded. People speak and write much differently now than they did when my 2000 edition came out and the book seems to be using sentences and making reference to social situations from the 1950’s. With the advent of computer technology and the Internet, many words we use today are nouns that work effectively as verbs.

Furthermore, Strunk and White’s rule seems to contradict itself. In chapter five, rule fourteen it says, “Avoid fancy words.” Avoid the elaborate the coy and the cute. Do not be tempted by a twenty-dollar word when there is a ten center handy, ready and able. Anglo Saxon is a livelier tongue than Latin, so use Anglo Saxon words. In this, as in so many matters pertaining to style, one’s ears must be one’s guide: gut is a lustier noun than intestine, but the two words are not interchangeable, because gut is often inappropriate, being too coarse for the context. Never call the stomach a tummy without good reason” (77).

The description of this rule goes on lecturing about avoiding fancy words and then it says, “…The question of ear is vital. Only the writer whose ear is reliable is in a position to use bad grammar deliberately” and “So cock your ear.” They are using the noun ear instead of a verb to mean hearing or more precisely, auditory discrimination. Not only is the way they use the word ear dated, it is also subjective. Are they saying that if I have good hearing I am permitted to use bad grammar whenever I would like? Using the word hearing is not a twenty dollar word and the word ear isn’t a handy ten cent word option; it’s politically incorrect and anatomically wrong to talk about ears like that. Some people are born without ears and they can hear better than many people that have two ears. One does not have to “cock” their ear to listen well, or even to discriminate. Additionally, “fancy words” is a subjective term in itself. There is never a good reason to replace the word ear for hearing.

The fifth and last chapter was about style. The introduction had concepts worth consideration, however in my opinion the list of reminders were vague and in need of editorial revision and updating.

While there are many writing style books available in the market today, and I personally have others that I prefer using, I still think The Elements of Style, is relevant as a basic and helpful reference book, especially after they update it. Rather than looking at the book, rule by rule, I think the book needs to be considered overall as a whole in order to appreciate what it was meant and is suppose to be.