In either the text box below or in a separate document, answer the following questions about the text. You can just number your answers or copy and paste the questions- whatever is easiest for you. Aim to use full sentences and to use your words– don’t copy exactly what the original text says unless it is for a quote. Probably 2-3 sentences max per response will be enough to answer each question (aside from the list you make for question 3). When you’re done, upload your document or submit your answers in the text box here to receive 1 point of credit towards the Pre-Writing of Essay #4.
Questions to Answer:
- Who wrote the book this excerpt is from, March: Book 2, and why do you think they wrote it? When was it written? [Feel free to look this up online]
- Why do you think the authors chose to use a graphic novel format instead of the more traditional novel format for this book/story? Basically, what could a graphic novel provide that a regular novel could not?
- This excerpt focuses on leaders who played a role in the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (whether supportive or unsupportive), as well as the events leading up to it. Who were those leaders and what role did they play? List each person that’s mentioned and how they felt about the March (so, whether they supported it or not).
- In the excerpt, there are some backgrounds in the panels that are either all white or all black, unlike the other backgrounds which tend to be in grayscale. What kind of ideas are presented in the panels with black backgrounds? White backgrounds? Why do you think the illustrator chose these particular colors to convey those ideas?
- The illustrator uses the size of the comic panels and their layout to emphasize important ideas. Which ideas seem to be emphasized by the illustrator most?
- The illustrator also uses different fonts and typefaces to emphasize important words or ideas. What type of words or ideas are put in bold or emphasized? Why do you think the illustrator chose to emphasize them?
- Finally, although this excerpt focuses on the leaders of the march, it ends with an image of the people participating in it taking over and actually beginning it without the leaders. In the end, who do you think actually lead the march: the people (the collective groups) or the leaders (the individuals)?
