As a child growing up in the 80s, my weekend mornings were spent reading the Sunday Comics that my dad pulled for me from his newspaper. At the same time, my now-husband was going to comic book conventions, trade shows, and independent bookstores collecting as many of the newest, hardest-to-find, or special edition Marvel and DC Comics he could get his hands on.
Comics have always been popular for kids; however graphic novels have risen to the top in recent years. Graphic novels are full length books with complex characters, complicated storylines and themes. Artwork is detailed and the carefully constructed page layouts become part of the novel’s message. This medium has engaged many young readers in and outside of the classroom offering numerous benefits, however, they also present some challenges. Let’s explore the pros and cons of incorporating graphic novels into elementary school reading.
Pros:
Engagement: Graphic novels engage young readers who are sometimes reluctant to read traditional novels. They offer visually appealing artwork and illustrations enhancing the narration and dialogue between the characters. The combination of images and text appeals to different learning styles, making reading a more enjoyable and accessible experience for all kinds of readers.
Comprehension: Because graphic novels are so visual in nature, the images and text work together to help the reader make meaning. They aid comprehension by providing context clues and supporting understanding of the text that may not happen in a traditional chapter book without pictures. Readers learn to infer and make connections between the text and illustrations.
Vocabulary Development: Fewer words do not mean simpler words. The language found in graphic novels is often more complex when compared to traditional books because they have limited space to tell the story, so every word must count! In addition, graphic novels introduce students to diverse vocabulary through dialogue, captions, and sound effects.
Sequencing and Storytelling Skills: Reading graphic novels helps children develop sequencing and storytelling skills as they follow the flow of panels and synthesize the images and text. They learn to identify story elements such as plot, characters, setting, problem/solution, and theme. This helps students enhance their overall comprehension skills.
Cons:
Over Reliance on Visuals: Some argue that graphic novels can lead readers to overly rely on visuals, thwarting the development of strong reading comprehension skills. As a result, students may become dependent on the artwork and illustrations to understand the text, neglecting or not fully engaging with the written language.
Limited Textual Complexity: Graphic novels are known to offer rich visual storytelling; however, they often contain less text compared to traditional novels. Limited text does not leave space for sophisticated textual complexity, also limiting opportunities for readers to do deep analysis of literary elements such as symbolism, figurative language, and theme.
Minimizes Stamina and Imagination: Because graphic novels have less text and more pictures, they are usually read more quickly than a traditional text of the same page length. Although this helps with engagement, it doesn’t help build a reader’s stamina, their ability to focus on their reading for an extended period of time. In addition, graphic novels rob the readers of their ability to use their imagination to visualize the characters and setting details. The story becomes less personal now that the illustrator is providing the images for the reader.
Quality Variability: Due to the popularity of graphic novels, there are so many books and series on the shelves to choose from, but more is not always better. It is important to be mindful that graphic novels are not all equal in terms of content and literary merit. There are many high-quality graphic novels that offer rich storytelling and meaningful themes, however there are also poorly written or visually disorganized texts that may not offer significant educational value.
Graphic novels can offer a unique, engaging, and educational reading experience for elementary-aged students. While they provide numerous benefits, they also present some challenges. As educators and parents, it is important to help our students find a balance by introducing and encouraging them to read high-quality graphic novels, while also teaching them reading skills and strategies needed for literacy success.