Any topic (writer’s choice)

For your written prep:
Please organize this Seminar Prep using the headings below (ex.
• Part A: McCloud Chapter 3 1, 2
• Part B: Theme 1, 2, 3, 4
• Part C: Visual Choice in The Best We Could Do
Part A: McCloud Chapter 3
1. Note TWO distinct and specific ideas from this chapter that you think will help you read, follow, and interpret the graphic novels we read.
2. Paraphrase each idea in your words. Note the page number of the idea in parentheses at the end of your paraphrases.
Part B: Theme in The Best We Could Do
Look through your notes/post-its and identify. one key theme that clearly matter to Bui, that has specific meaning and significance for her, and that runs throush several of these first chapters.

1.Name and explain, in a couple of sentences, the theme as it comes through specifically in Bui’s memoir.
2. “Quote” one place you see this theme emerging and developing in the first half of the book. Quoting a graphic novel means referring to specific panels, sequences, images, and/or captions. See what you think is important to include in your quotation. Remember to cite the page number in parentheses at the end of your sentence as the MLA citation system requires.
3. After, the “quote”, explain how/why this piece of the text illustrates and/or contributes to the theme you’ve named. Be specific in this explanation; how does this piece of the text give Bui’s own take or perspective on this theme?
4. Next, “quote” a second place, from a different part of the book, where the same theme develops further, gains more complexity. Explain how/why this piece of the text adds more to your understanding or appreciation of Bui’s take on the theme you’ve named.
Part C: Visual Choice in The Best We Could Do
Thinking about what you learned about analyzing a graphic text in Chapter 3 of McCloud, pick a page of the book to analyze visually. To begin and to brainstorm, ask yourself why you picked that page. What visual choices does Bui make as she composes the page and the panels within the page?
What effects do her visual choices have on you as a reader? Notice that this work invites interpretation; it asks you to analyze your responses and how the page creates these responses. You get to be present in this work and can use “I” as you write.

In addition to visual elements, consider her use and arrangement of panels. When does she outline her panels and what’s the effect, for instance? When do panels have gutters or spaces surrounding them and when do they butt up against each other? What are the various panel shapes and sizes she uses?
These are just some things to consider. Look back on Part 2 for ideas from McCloud Chapter 3 for ideas. Once you do this initial brainstorming, you will need to focus in on one particular visual choice when you move on to writing your paragraph.
Now write a PIEIE paragraph about the page that shares and develops your visual analysis.
Remember a PIE paragraph begins with your central point and then illustrates the point and explains the illustration. This paragraph will include (at least) two specific illustrations from the page you choose (hence PIEIE).
Your point will most likely name a visual choice AND name its impact or effect. What does Bui use and what does she do with it, that shares and develops your visual analysis.
Remember a PIE paragraph begins with your central point and then illustrates the point and explains the illustration. This paragraph will include (at least) two specific illustrations from the page you choose (hence PIEIE).
Your point will most likely name a visual choice AND name its impact or effect. What does Bui use and what does she do with it, from your perspective as reader? Sometimes you have to write the paragraph first in rough draft form to discover what your main point is.
Then, move that point to the start of the paragraph and show how and where the page illustrates your point.
Make vivid and precise references to the visuals and the place on the page where you find these visuals. These are your illustrations
(I) in this paragraph.