In different cultural circles, comics have many stereotypes. The most common are probably the following:
- Comics are read only for entertainment.
- They are only about superheroes.
- Comics do not give depth.
Taking this into account, many modern teachers/professors won’t let students read comics in class. This is because they are convinced that comics have no educational purposes; they are just pointless stories. But is it really so? In this article, we would like to prove the opposite and discover the actual use of comics for students
What Are Comics?
Comics are the juxtaposition of visual and verbal images in a special sequential series, which aims to convey information and bring aesthetic pleasure to the reader. Comics come in various genres and have a wide range of stories, both real and fictional.
Today, the use of comics in the US educational system is only gaining momentum, while in Japan, for example, comics have long been enshrined in the school reading system. Why? Comics provide an opportunity to develop literacy, particularly developing students’ reading and writing skills and visual skills (the educational use of films can’t be denied here as well).
Educational Use of Comics
The educational functions that comics perform are broad. However, the key functions of comics that are the most useful to students would be the following:
- Involve the student in reading visuals, i.e., those who learn better from the visual series than verbal.
- Help to see the variety of possibilities in the presentation of the plot, namely by comparing visual and verbal texts.
- Expand vocabulary.
- Teach to see the logical and/or illogical chain of events.
- Learn to recognize nonlinear plots.
- Help to decode pictures semiotically.
- Develop imagination and fantasy in students.
- Form creative skills.
- Encourage students to explore different genres and formats, forming an interest in literature in general.
Recognizing these important functions of comics and a keen focus on literacy, teachers in the United States have joined the Comics in Education Association and continue to share basic theoretical knowledge and skills with teachers who are just learning to use comics in school reading.
It’s incredible news for students in the US, as the education process can become more interesting and may encourage more students to learn better. Who knows, maybe due to such integration of comics into education, more students will become content creators or essay writers.
Tips for Students on How to Read Comics
People have already created lots of various comics, and you might want to dive right into the comics world. However, to make the most use of reading comics, we recommend you stick to the simple tips below:
- Don’t try to read everything at once. Just accept that this is impossible. You have to take your time to read comics to reach a better understanding of the material. It is not enough to just run your eyes through the text and rush to the next page. Reading the image is almost the most important part of the plot; this is the essence of reading comics.
And just in case you’ve become too engaged with a comic book and didn’t meet your deadlines for assignments, you can use essaywriter.org for completing essays on time.
- Don’t be afraid to start from the middle of the comics. If you open a regular book and start reading it from the middle, you will understand little. With comics, it’s completely different. So, if you want to read something about Batman, do not rush to look for a comic book of 1940; you can take any issue you like.
- Start with a friend. It’s always a good idea to engage your friends in something that might bring educational use. You can better understand the chosen comics by discussing them with a friend and exchanging ideas.
- Do not lose hope. If your first attempt was not very successful, just keep searching. There is such a huge number of comics nowadays that everyone can find something for their taste.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. Do not stop searching even when you have found your “comfort zone” in comics; you should try something new from time to time. Keep expanding your horizons, and you will be able to gain more knowledge.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, comics have great educational functions, making students more engaged in the educational process. However, lots of work is still lying ahead, as they have to be properly implemented in our modern educational institutions. But as in every great comics story, there will be a time when comics gain their full power and stand proudly next to the books in education.
