Part IV.
CONVENTIONAL AND NON CONVENTIONAL
MATERIALS
A. COMICS
What is a comic?
Technically, a comic is a text expressed through illustrations on strips or frames. Some or all strips
can contain text of various lengths. This simple definition explains why this is considered such
versatile format: the creative use we can make of the cartoons, illustrations, words, and other
elements, demonstrate that the possibilities are almost endless. Comic art, just like cinema, is
considered sequential art, as it aims to tell stories in a sequence.
The Main Elements of a Comic
In addition to the strips, the illustrations, and the texts, all comics, as a genre, share certain
elements that must be taken into account by the author:
• The plane: the profile of the character or the setting.
• The angle: where is the “camera” positioned, i.e., what are we showing, what can be seen.
• The representation of the moment or passing of time: these elements give us details about
the time of day, the date, the seasons in which what we see takes place.
• Representation of movement: ways that express the dynamism of bodies or objects
• Speech bubbles: they express what the characters say or think.
• Onomatopoeia: the verbal representation of a noise or sound.
• Symbols: a lightbulb can represent an idea, or a “zzz” representing the act of sleeping, are part
of this language.
YOUR TASK
With your groupmates, create a comic with the following conditions/criteria:
1. One series of comics that can be used as part of a lesson. The aim of the comic is to inform,
as well as to entertain pupils/students about a specific learning area.
2. Comics should not be larger than A5 size ( 5.83 in x 8.27 in) -- that is half of an A4 size paper,
either in landscape or portrait orientation.
3. A comic shall have:
• a front cover that best represent the content with the names of the author/s in it.
• a back cover with not less than the following information:
“This comic is intended to be used as learning material for Grade __ (please specify).”
4. The comics shall use characters that are wholesome intended for elem/secondary students
(whichever applies).
5. At the end of each story, an evaluation tool shall be used to assess comprehension or
knowledge learned from the story/topic.
6. Each comic shall have at least 6 pages (includes cover and back pages and evaluation)
7. The visuals (text, illustration, etc.) to be used are legible and clear (a reminder that as an
instructional material, it should not confuse learners).
8. Elements of comics should be observed closely. You shall be rated according to the following
rubrics:
