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

2. In comics, words represent that which can only exist in time, _______.

3. Using the pictorial vocabulary pyramid, Mary Fleener's style is NOT typically comprised of ________.

4. The author believes that comics is an art form similar to which of the following?

5. What is the phenomenon of observing the parts but perceiving the whole?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe the author's first impressions of comics as a child.

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

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

5. How do words introduce time into a single frame?

6. What is McCloud's notion of the Picture Plane?

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

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

9. What is the difference between closure of electronic media and closure in comics?

10. Describe what cartooning style is.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Scott McCloud used to have a poor impression of comics. When he was older, his friend convinced him to give comics another chance and he was hooked. Think about something you once hated, but not loved (or loved and now hate). Describe your previous and current impressions. What possible explanations can you think of for the change of heart? Was your first impression based off incorrect or partial knowledge? Did you change as a person?

Essay Topic 2

Art can be thought of as any human activity that doesn't grow out of either basic instinct of survival and reproduction. How do you define art? According to this definition, what are examples of what is and isn't art?

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

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