The Use of Comics as an Approach to Introducing the Techniques and Terms of Narrative to Novice Readers - Oct 79

Aug 28, 2026

Marvel Comics Group publications merit serious consideration as a legitimate narrative enterprise for educational use. Although comic books can be employed as classroom reading, their strong narrative economy, clarity, and density make them particularly effective for introducing novice readers to narrative techniques and to the terminology used in narrative study and discussion. The group’s work is narratively and philosophically sophisticated, with ethical and moral responsibility.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages41

Reading Time1 h 43 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Core Argument

Classroom Use for Novice Readers

Narrative Techniques and Terms

DOC0gENT RESONE ED 190980 Palumbo,Donald AUTHOR The use of,Comics as an Approach to Introducing theTechnigues and Terms of Narrative to NovicePeaders. TITLE Oct 79 PUB DATE 41p.:Paper presented at·the Annual Meeting of thePopular Culture ASsocia+ion in the south(Bth,Louisville,KY,October 18-20,1979). NOTE MF01/PC02 Plus Postage. EDFS PRICF DESCRI PTORS Adolescent Literature:*Comics(Publications):*Critical Beading:*EngIish Instruction:Fiction:*Literary Criticism:*Iiterary Devices:*Nar ration:Secon darY.Education:Teaching Methods # ABSTRACT The publcations of the Marvel Conics Group warrantserious consideration as a legitimate narrative enterprise.While itis obvious.that these comic books can be used in the classroom as asource of reading material,it is hot so obvious that these comicbooks,with great economv,sinplicity,and narrative density,can beused to further introduce novice readers to the techniques found inDarrative and to the terms employed in the study and discussion of anarrative.The output of the Marvel Cowics Group in particular islite rate,is bcth narratively and phlosophica1ly sophisticated,andis ethically and morally responsible.Sone of the narrativetechnques found in the stories,such as the Spider-Man episedes,inclide fozeshadowing,a dramatic fiction narrator,flashback,irony.symbolism,metaphor,Bibl:cal and historical allusions,andmytholoqical allusions、(NKM} 本************有*******************★***************************沛********* Donald PalumboDepartment of EnglishNorthern Michigan UniversityMarquette,MI.49855 08606I03 6.88 UO) ①ERiC # ·The Use of Comics as an Approach to Introducing theTechniques and Terms of Narrative to Novice Readers by Dcnald Palumbo The publications of the Marvel Comics Group,which number nearly16 million magazines per month,warrant serious consideration as alegitimate narrative enterprise.While it is easy to imagine withoutactually examining these more sophisticated comics too closely that theyencourage and,in fact,teach reading--as the graphics themselves promptthe reader to explore the story more closely by inviting him to attendalso to the narration and dialogue at the same time that they,while inthemselves incomprehensible,visually reinforce the meaning of these storyelements--it is not so obvious that these comic books,with greatereconomy,clarity,and ease of comprehension,due to their relative simplicity and narrative density,than ·the great masterpieces of literaturewill yield,can .be used further to introduce novice(and not so novice) readers to the techniques found in narrative and to the terms employedin the study and discussion of narrative.The output of the ·MarvelComics'Group in particular is literate,is both narratively and philo-sophically sophisticated,and is ethically and morally responsible; "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THISMATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY Donald Palumbo Marvel Comics Group TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOUACESINFORMATION CENTEA (EAJCI." 1HiS DoCUWENT Ha5 BEEN REPR0.DUCEDEXACILY aS.RECEIVEDRDMTHE PE950N OR ORGANI2ATIoNORIGIN盛TINGir POINTS OF ViEw OR OPINIONS5TATEDBo NOT ECESSARILYREPRE.SENTOFFIC1AL NATIONAL INSTIrUTE QFEDUCAT+ON POs¹1ON OR PDLICY moreover,Marvel Comics invariably demonstrate with intelligence andvariety such concepts as synopsis,dramatic fiction,exposition,flashback,foreshadoing,plot structure,climax,resolution,sub-plot,double,foil,characterization,irony,symbolism,allegory,metaphor,pathetic fallacy,personification,and allusion as they aid in building vocabulary andincrease reading comprehension. The plot in a Marvel Comic is often surprisingly complex,and a singlestory-line will sometimes develop over the space of a dozen or more issues.In general,the longer plots--due also to their reliance on heroes andvillains who possess unique natural abilities and who frequently wieldartifacts whose properties can most accurately be described as magical--are reminiscent of those of,lengthly fifteenth

FAQs

How does the document argue comics can help novice readers?

It argues that Marvel comics, due to their economy, clarity, and narrative density, introduce novice readers to both narrative techniques and the terms used in studying and discussing narrative.

What qualities does the document attribute to Marvel comic outputs?

The document claims they are narratively and philosophically sophisticated and ethically and morally responsible, while also using a wide range of narrative concepts to build vocabulary and reading comprehension.

Which narrative techniques and devices does the document highlight?

It highlights techniques such as synopsis use, dramatic fiction narration, flashback, foreshadowing, irony, symbolism, metaphor, and various forms of allusion.

Aug 28, 2026

Upload by วิน