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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. Widening the shape of a panel can affect the _______ of time.

2. Japanese comics artists also drew more realistic characters to emphasize __________________________.

3. The author likens the representation of Egyptian hieroglyphics to which of the following?

4. Within a comic storyline, what is the amount of time that passes from one panel to the next?

5. Panel shapes affect which of the following?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the three most popular transitions in mainstream Western comics and why?

2. Does McCloud think that non-sequitur transitions are possible?

3. How are faces and figures typically drawn in comics? What about backgrounds and landscapes?

4. According to McCloud, everything that people experience in life can be separated into which two realms?

5. Does McCloud think single panels should be considered comic art?

6. According to McCloud, are comics a hybrid of graphic arts and prose fiction?

7. What is McCloud's explanation for why the human mind has little difficulty converting shapes and images into faces?

8. According to McCloud, why is closure important?

9. Is a single image equivalent to a single instant in time?

10. What are different ways to portray motion within panels?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The invention of printing played a significant role in the history and the world of comics (and the written word). Think of another invention that had a significant impact. What were the effects? Did it solve a problem or enable further development? Where would we be without the invention? Be specific and select a physical invention - do not use "technology" or other broad concepts.

Essay Topic 2

In your own words, answer Scott McCloud's question, "Why should we try so hard to understand comics?"

Essay Topic 3

In comics, a great deal of the storytelling occurs between the panels and the reader must use his/her imagination to tell the story. Is McCloud accurate in saying that comics requires more reader participation than any other artform? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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