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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 was the name of Eisner's 1981 attempt to illustrate Shakespeare's famous soliloquy of Hamlet?

2. How can instructional comics be divided?

3. When words are used, the task of rendering body and face grows more?

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

5. What other method requires production of a paperboard with colors added to transparent overlays?

Short Essay Questions

1. How can the artist successfully convey an image of the human body?

2. Why do purely instructional comics often use humor?

3. Contrast gesture and posture.

4. How can posture and gesture give insight into a character's lifestyle and allow sociological observations?

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

6. Why are technical skills mandatory for comic book artists?

7. Why should an artist read short stories?

8. What temptation do artists have to detract from the text?

9. Why must frozen moments convey both time and emotion?

10. Name four of the eleven points Eisner covers, because he thinks an artist must understand about how objects work in order to portray them skillfully.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chapter 3 examines the function of balloons in comics. Balloons are meant to contain speech and illustrate visual sound. Though their job is to order and arrange the storyline, is it possible for balloons inhibit or hinder the meaning of a panel? Support your argument with at least two logical examples.

Essay Topic 2

Chapter 3 analyzes the relationship between space, time, and visual perspective. Eisner explains that distance is often measured by sight and sound, but it is more difficult to assess time, because it is more illusory. Compile at least three examples provided by Eisner's work and examine the similarities and differences between how time, sight, and sound are measured and expressed in comics.

Essay Topic 3

Eisner specifies a very organized procedure for comic writers and artists. Comic writers and artists must follow this procedure together. Discuss the idea and importance of teamwork in comics. Support your claims with two examples taken from any chapter.

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