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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. Because halftone engraving in newspapers was crude, early strips were limited to what art?

2. What must convey both time and emotion, according to Chapter 5?

3. What should the artist study before making comics?

4. What should the artist be able to produce?

5. Who is the artist at the mercy of?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are comic book artists most challenged in portraying amorphics?

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

3. Give a brief synopsis of Chapter 7.

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

5. Contrast gesture and posture.

6. Why does Eisner reproduce several pages from his graphic novel To the Heart of the Storm along with a close-up pencil dummy page?

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

8. Give a brief synopsis of Chapter 8.

9. Why do purely instructional comics often use humor?

10. Why should an artist read short stories?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 1, Eisner expresses the opinion that lettering functions as an extension of imagery. As an example, he uses Contract with God to suggest that the lettering should remain consistent with the style and emotive qualities of the setting or scene. Explain why Eisner incorporates rain and blood in the lettering and typeface in Contract with God. Cite at least three reasons that support your argument.

Essay Topic 2

in Chapter 2, calligraphy is described as an expression of visual symbols that also carry verbal and aural traits. Using three instances of supporting evidence from Chapter 2, explain the visual, verbal, and aural characteristics of calligraphy.

Essay Topic 3

Eisner uses four drawings in Chapter 5 to demonstrate the power of facial expressions. Examine the following idea of the face as the "window to the mind" in relation to these four drawings. How can drawing faces in comics be revealing? What sort of things can be revealed by faces in comics?

(see the answer keys)

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