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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What can give insight into a character's lifestyle and allow sociological observations?

2. What do purely instructional comics often use to show relevance?

3. What does Chapter 6 focus on?

4. What should the artist study before making comics?

5. In theory, what does the reader/viewer already know how to understand?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is writing for comics most closely related to playwriting?

2. How does the "blue line" method work?

3. Give a brief synopsis of Chapter 8.

4. Why do entertainment comics deny to the readers/viewers much of the freedom they would enjoy in pure prose?

5. Explain why comic writers first create a written script of their idea and story/plot, including narrative and dialog (balloons).

6. Why does Eisner reproduce the story written by Jules Feiffer that was never published?

7. Explain the goal of "Body language".

8. Give a brief synopsis of Chapter 7.

9. Why does artwork dominate the reader's initial response?

10. Give a brief synopsis of Chapter 5.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Generally, style has been lauded as "a form of imperfection." However, now that technology has harnessed the ability to produce artwork, the personal style of the artist might be encroached upon. Explain the tension between individuality and technological perfection. Use two examples from Eisner's last chapter to demonstrate the consequences of technology in art and the response of humans to computer-generated artwork.

Essay Topic 2

Agree or disagree with the following statement: the reader is responsible for the interpretation of meaning when reading visuals. Cite three examples from the book that support your view. Address what responsibility the artist might have in creating the visuals.

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 1, Eisner examines a few panels that break the left-to-right convention. His analysis suggests that the panels are read easily because of the reader's understanding of gravity and of visual cues. Using this example, and others found in Chapter 1 or 2, agree or disagree with the following statement: should panels try to conform to normal conventions for easier reading?

(see the answer keys)

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