Odyssey 2 5.4 Graphic Novel Extract: The Savage by David Almond
Learning Intentions In this section you will … ✓ Develop your understanding of graphic novels. ✓ Learn about phonetic spelling. ✓ Write a short piece of dialogue.
Before Reading GRAPHIC NOVEL
Colour Colour is used to suggest emotion in graphic novels. Cooler tones, like blue and purple, indicate feelings of sadness or reflection. On the other hand, warmer colours such as red and yellow, suggest high-energy emotions like anger or excitement. Sepia (a brownish colour) is often used to indicate that an event is happening in the past.
Sequencing The order in which the story takes place in graphic novels is known as sequencing. One of the advantages of the graphic novel is that it allows readers to easily scan back and forward in the text. This allows readers to easily check what they have read, anticipate what is to come, and reflect on the events.
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Reading
1. Flick though the four pages of the graphic novel which follow. Based on the colours only, what type of story do you think you are going to read? For example, happy? sad? exciting? romantic? Think of at least two adjectives that the colours suggest to you. Discuss these with your class.
2. The extract you are about to read is written phonetically (words are written as they sound). For example: ‘So the savage new the kid was stupid’. As you read on, make a note of words written phonetically. What effect does this technique have on your understanding of this text?
