comic strip for assignment

Comic Strips Templates

• May 4, 2023
• Comic , Free Templates , Printable

Comic strips templates. Welcome to the world of comic strip creation! Whether you’re an experienced artist or a beginner, the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating your own comics. A good comic strip requires a combination of creativity, storytelling, and attention to detail. But don’t worry, with the right tools and resources, anyone can create a compelling and engaging comic. That’s why I’m here to provide you with some comic strip templates in PDF format that are ready to print and use for educational purposes. These templates will help you get started on your comic-making journey and give you a foundation to build upon. So, let’s get started!

I recommend reading: 21 Free Online Comic Strip Makers | Comic Panels | How to Make a Comic Book on the Computer | Create Digital Art | Free Flash Card Template for Word

Templates for Comic Strips

Templates for Comic Strips 1

This panel template contains 6 boxes with alternating size in each row. In general, the layout goes in two columns and three rows. The column width in each row is at alternating size. For example, in the first row, it begins with a column of about 40% width, and the right column that is the second column is at about 60% width. This width composition is then alternated in the following row, that is the second row. The last row goes back to the first composition. This allows students to figure out what kind of event they should input to each column with different width. Sometimes the smaller one can be the focus, and the wider one can be for long view.

Templates for Comic Strips 2

This second comic strip template panel is arranged in the same width. meanwhile, the composition between the row and column remains the same as the previous one, that is two columns and three rows. The width of each column is the same between the left and the right, that is 50%. I think, this type of comic strip panel is suitable for beginner whose focus is on filling the panel with images and conversation or dialog bulb. The goal is just that the students feel comfortable in participating in the comic making project. As long as the students can put their ideas into the panel, it is considered achieved. Students who are beginner at this process will feel that this task is easy and thus hopefully can motivate them to do the complex ones. Using this similar size panel, they will not find it hard to think about what focus or what specific event should be put in the smaller panel or the bigger panel.

Templates for Comic Strips 3

This comic strip template layout is completely different from the previous ones. This one starts with a bigger size and is in the intersection of the two panels in the right. It feels like a photo collage and is in the masonry style.

Templates for Comic Strips 4

This layout is also of unique composition. It begins with big square that is inline with two smaller grids at the same size but a half of the bigger one. The bottom part is at the same column with but with smaller height. The opening big square can be used to inform a hook, or an event that is shocking.

Templates for Comic Strips 5

This layout is similar to item number 2. The boxes are at the same size. There are six boxes in two columns and three rows. They are all in square shapes with the same size. This type of comic strip template is also perfect for beginners who do not have to think about which panel size should be used for which event.

I remember when I was a kid, trying to create my own comic. Initially I was struggling to follow model comic from famous comic books. However, I found it so hard to follow. Some of the panel are overlapped, some others are in triangle, and other unusual forms. Then, I tried to create my own panel, and I came up with panels with the same size. At that time, it gave me ease in drawing as all I have to do is drawing within the panel. I did not need to think hard replicating the professional and advanced unusual shape of comic panel layout.

Templates for Comic Strips 6

This one is actually similar to comic strip template number 1, the first in this page. The difference is that it is in portrait while the earlier is in landscape. This is for those who have already practiced drawing comic characters into comic panels for a while. They have already had experience that is enough to go more advanced. This type of panel does require experience because the size of each box is different from one another. One is small and one other is bigger. The student, when using this template, has to adjust specific event that would match the size of the panel. For example, the smaller box can be used to position a man walking, while the right side that is bigger, is to portray when the man is walking, thus require the student to also draw the surrounding.

Templates for Comic Strips 7

The comic strip template that features one big panel in the first and third rows, and two equal-sized panels in the second row, is a classic layout that has been used in comics for decades. This type of panel layout is ideal for comics that require a mix of large, dramatic visuals and smaller, more focused scenes.

In the first row, the big panel can be used to showcase a wide-angle shot or a detailed close-up of the scene. This panel is perfect for introducing the setting, characters, or establishing the mood of the story. In the second row, the two equal-sized panels can be used to show two different perspectives of the same scene or to depict a sequence of actions. This layout is particularly effective for showing cause and effect, or for building tension and suspense. In the third row, the big panel can be used to create a sense of closure or to show the aftermath of the events that took place in the previous panels.

To ensure a clear reading order, it is suggested that the speech bubble or dialogue should be positioned close to the characters or objects they are referring to. In the first row, the speech bubble can be placed in the top or bottom corner of the panel, while in the second row, they can be positioned above or below each panel. In the third row, the speech bubble can be placed in the center of the panel or at the bottom, depending on the layout of the image.

This type of comic strip panel layout is suitable for a variety of events, including action scenes, suspenseful moments, and scenes that require a lot of detail. It is particularly effective for comics that want to establish a sense of place or create a cinematic feel. Overall, this classic layout is a great starting point for anyone who wants to create an engaging and visually appealing comic.

Templates for Comic Strips 8

The comic strip template with a layout featuring two boxes in the first row, a two-column layout in the second row, and a mix of squares and rectangles in each column, is a unique and versatile design that can accommodate a range of storytelling styles.

In the first row, the two boxes can be used to show different perspectives of the same scene or to juxtapose two separate events. The 30% box can be used to show a close-up detail or a smaller moment in the story, while the 70% box can be used to showcase a larger scene or a key event.

In the second row, the two columns provide ample space to create a sequence of actions or to depict multiple characters interacting with each other. The first column can be used to show two big squares, which can be used to depict key moments in the story or to focus on the emotions of the characters. The second column can be used to show three rows of rectangles, which can be used to create a sense of movement or to show a series of related events.

It is advised that speech bubbles or dialogue be positioned close to the characters or things they are referring to in order to guarantee clear communication. In the first row, for example, the speech bubble can be placed above or below each box. The speech bubbles in the second row can be positioned in the middle or near the characters or things they are referring to.

This sort of comic strip panel layout is appropriate for storylines with a lot of information or several plotlines. It’s especially useful in comics if you want to establish a feeling of development or highlight the link between different characters or events.

Comic Strip Template

Comic Strip Template 10 Pages

More collection of comic strip template. There are 10 pages in this archive.

Comic Strip Templates Free

Comic Strip Templates Free 4 Pages

More collection of the templates. there are 4 pages. Two of them are with speech bubbles.

Do you know what comic strip is?

Comic strips are collections of cartoon images contained in a box that can be used to create a story.

The satire style used in newspapers and the heroic storyline used in comic books are just a few examples of the many distinct comic strip styles.

They frequently use boxes to depict new events or actions, which is a popular creative pattern. Cartoon and comic strip characters are almost usually vivid and interesting. The majority of the time, kids speak in what we refer to as “speech bubbles.”

It’s simple to communicate artistic ideas and foster creativity by creating your own comic strip using our templates. They’re a terrific method to provide kids a place to combine their writing and drawing skills.

Why not have your kid or the class try to create their own cartoon strip? It’s a terrific method to encourage creativity and help kids develop their imagination to use a template like the one offered.

My Personal Thoughts

Creating a comic strip can be a fun and engaging way to express your creativity and storytelling skills. Thanks to modern technology, there are now many tools and resources available to help you bring your comic strip ideas to life. One such resource is a comic strip generator, which allows you to quickly and easily create your own comics using pre-designed templates and tools. Whether you’re a seasoned comic creator or just starting out, a comic strip generator can be a valuable tool to have in your arsenal.

When designing a comic strip layout, it’s important to consider the overall structure and flow of the story you’re trying to tell. A well-designed layout can help to guide the reader through the narrative, emphasizing important moments and keeping them engaged from panel to panel. One way to achieve a strong layout is to use printable comic strip templates, which provide a pre-designed framework for your comic and can save you time and effort in the planning process. Blank comic strip panels can also be useful for customizing your layout and making it your own.

A comic strip storyboard is an essential tool for planning and organizing your comic before you begin drawing. This storyboard acts as a visual map of your story, outlining the plot, characters, and overall structure of the comic. Using a comic strip maker or other digital tool can make the storyboard process easier and more efficient. Cartoon panel templates and speech bubble templates can also be useful in creating a cohesive and visually appealing storyboard.

A strong comic strip design is key to making your comic stand out and grab the reader’s attention. Consider the overall aesthetic of your comic, including the style, color scheme, and typography. Using a graphic novel template or comic strip storyboard template can help to establish a consistent design throughout the comic, while comic strip frames and sequential art templates can be used to create dynamic and engaging visuals.

Whether you’re creating a manga-inspired comic or a classic American-style strip, a comic strip drawing template can be a useful starting point for bringing your ideas to life. Printable cartoon panels and comic strip outlines can also be helpful in creating a polished and professional-looking final product. When designing your comic strip pattern, keep in mind the pacing and flow of the story, and use a comic strip storyboard layout to help visualize how the final comic will look and feel. With the right tools and resources, anyone can create a compelling and engaging comic strip.

Important elements of Comic

Comics, also known as graphic narratives, are a form of storytelling that uses sequential art to convey a narrative. The elements of comics can vary depending on the style and format of the comic, but some common elements include:

• Panels: The individual frames or boxes that contain the artwork and text.
• Gutters: The spaces between panels where the reader’s imagination fills in the action that happens between them.
• Speech balloons: The bubbles that contain dialogue spoken by characters.
• Thought balloons: The bubbles that contain a character’s thoughts.
• Sound effects: The onomatopoeic words that represent sounds in the comic, such as “pow,” “bam,” or “zap.”
• Captions: Text boxes that provide additional information, narration, or commentary on the story.
• Characters: The people or creatures that populate the story and interact with each other.
• Setting: The time and place in which the story takes place.
• Plot: The sequence of events that make up the story.
• Themes: The underlying ideas or messages conveyed by the story, which may include social commentary, satire, or personal reflection.

Overall, comics are a highly visual and imaginative medium that combines words and pictures to create a unique form of storytelling.

What is the purpose of this blank comic strip template?

This blank comic strip template is an excellent resource that can be used for a variety of purposes. Comic strip templates are helpful tools that may be utilized while creating comic strips. Comics may be used for a variety of objectives, including amusement and information delivery in an entertaining fashion.

Allow children to create their own comic strips using these templates to encourage student creativity and fine motor skills. They include square spaces for students to draw their own comics, as well as text boxes below each space for students to explain what is going on.

Show them how to insert speech bubbles into each of the boxes in these strips to create an intriguing discussion. Allow them to color their comic strip for added detail. This can help to broaden and enhance advanced vocabulary grammar and story-telling abilities.

How can I put this blank comic strip template to use at home?

For almost a century, children have enjoyed comic strips or cartoon comics. They’re a great method to improve your reading abilities while also enjoying a great narrative with colorful images. They often have a pretty consistent format, with a sequence of images depicting characters and their dialogue in “speech bubbles.”

Some of the most popular and successful movies have been adapted from popular comic strips. Marvel Avengers, Spiderman, Batman, Superman, and the X-Men all began as comic books.

Children will enjoy using this blank comic strip template at home to create their own stories. Why not ask your child to sketch anything related to an event or experience, such as a vacation or a day out?

This is an excellent opportunity for your youngster to communicate their feelings and views regarding their experiences. Suggest that the children keep their comics secure so that they can refer to them later.

Some youngsters may like collecting comics and cartoons, and certain vintage comics are now worth a lot of money, so it may be a fantastic investment!

How to Create Your Own Comic Strip Dialogue

You can use paper, pencils, crayons, and markers, computer word processing programs, or an app.

Allow the person you’re helping to choose the materials they want to use.

Some people like to keep their comic strip dialogues in a notepad or on their smartphone or tablet, so they may refer to them as required and quickly recall essential themes.

With this entertaining comic strip template, you may assist your children say “Happy Father’s Day.” Children will use this project to make their fathers and/or father figures the heroes of their comic books. Inspire imagination in your ELA teaching by using this narrative and sequencing template.

Encourage your students to be as creative as they can, and hang their final comics on the classroom wall. With these printable magazine article templates, you can turn your pupils into junior journalists! Children will compose an article regarding a topic of their choice using our teacher-created sheets.

They can select a real-world theme, such as climate change or activities, or they might write a fictitious narrative. Ideal for K-5 ELA classes. These vivid cut-outs are an excellent way to liven up your classroom.

Students can benefit from

Comic strips are a useful educational tool for students of various grades to utilize in class. They frequently convey messages or offer a quick summary of events or tales. Comics contain all of the tale components – character, place, issue, and solution – in a few frames via a combination of pictures, captions, and dialogue, thus being ideal for use in class while working on these aspects. They are also an excellent approach to encourage reluctant authors to start a tale with the beginning, middle, and conclusion in mind. Utilize these Comic Strip Templates to assist your students create their own comic-style narrative material. The comic might be around them or about any additional characters they create.

What teachers say

Users have left positive comments thanking the provider of free comic strip templates for helping them with various assignments and projects. They express gratitude for the ease of downloading the templates and their usefulness in different scenarios, such as book studies, graphic novel units, and home learning. Some users specifically appreciate the ability to print the templates in larger sizes.

Users seem to be very appreciative of the fact that the comic strip templates are free and readily available, and they mention that they are helpful in facilitating creative expression and learning in the classroom. Some users specifically mention that the templates are useful for students who are reluctant writers or who struggle with traditional writing assignments. Overall, the comments express a sense of gratitude for the resource and highlight the positive impact it has had on the users’ teaching and learning experiences.

The templates are easy to use and provide layout designs that students can use to organize their ideas. users show that the templates are suitable for different grade levels and can be used for various subjects such as literature, history, and computer classes. I recommend using PowerPoint to create the comic strips instead of Word. Some users had issues downloading the templates, but then I suggest using a different browser or making sure pop-ups are not blocked. I allow the templates to be used in virtual classrooms or posted on a private Facebook page for parents. However, they are not for commercial reuse.

Aliv Faizal M

I am a teacher who loves to use technology. I like to design templates in Google Docs, Google Slides, Powerpoint, Word, CorelDraw, etc.

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15 ready-to-use comic strip templates for your next lesson.

• June 1, 2022

If you’ve stopped by the blog before, you know that I love sharing ideas that promote creativity in the classroom. Whether I’m working with students in a classroom setting , or leading a webinar for teachers , creative products are in full swing. In hopes of helping “make EdTech easier,” I created comic strip templates for you.

Today, I have 15 ready-to-use comic strip templates for your next lesson. These are super simple and ready for you to use “as is” or customize for your students. I’ve also included tips for creating your own comic strips using templates you can find in three popular tools. And if you’re new to using comics and not sure if it’s for you, check out my blog post, “ 5 Reasons to Try a Comic Strips Activity .”

Click to download — 15 ready-to-use comic strips templates for your next lesson.

How to use these comic strip templates 

After you download the comic strip templates, you have a few options for how to use them with your students. Of course, you’ll want to have a vision for the activity that meets the needs of your students; this could include asking students to:

• Create an alternate ending for a book
• Share an important moment from their life
• Spotlight a moment in history

Then, you’ll decide if this is an online or offline project or if you’ll provide options for students to choose from. For an offline project, you’ll download the comic strips then print them out. Your students could also combine this with a tool like Seesaw by snapping a picture of their comic strip illustration and recording their voice as they talk about what they made.

For an online project, you’ll download the comic strip templates and share the PDF pages you want students to use as a file. You might share this in Google Classroom and let students use a PDF annotation tool to draw or add text. Alternatively, you might export the pages you want to use as a JPG and have students add the image to another favorite tool that lets them draw or add pictures to their page. It’s totally up to you.

3 Tools for Making Comics

You can click here to download the 15 ready-to-use comic strip templates I made for you or try a tool from the list below. 

Making Comics in Book Creator

Book Creator has a comic option that will pop up when you go to create a new book. You’ll find this option as the first step to follow after clicking the “new book” button. If your students choose this option in Book Creator, they’ll be able to add cells to the background of their page and add talk bubbles, too. Learn more about comics in Book Creator on this page .

Finding Comic Strip Templates in Canva

Canva for Education is free for K-12 students and teachers. If you want to find comic strip templates, sign in to Canva and go straight to the search bar. Then type in “comics,” and you’ll see a bunch of templates you can use right away. You can create comic templates to print out and share with students. Or your students can log in and search through these templates, too.

Comic Templates in Adobe Creative Cloud Express

Adobe Spark is now Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education . It’s completely free for K-12 schools and districts, too. Not only does Creative Cloud Express have all of the great things you might remember from Spark, but it also has lots of extras . For example, you and your students can search for templates at the top of the screen. You’ll find plenty of inspiration from the templates in Creative Cloud Express.

Ready to get started? Check out these 15 free comic strips templates I’ve created for you. Or explore one of the three tools I mentioned above to set up students for success with their next comic strip project. 

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Monica Burns

Dr. Monica Burns is a former classroom teacher, Author, Speaker, and Curriculum & EdTech Consultant. Visit her site ClassTechTips.com for more ideas on how to become a tech-savvy teacher.

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Teachers Guide to The Use of Comic Strips in Class

By Med Kharbach, PhD | Last Update: May 16, 2024

Comic strips and cartoons are two effective instructional tools to use in class with students from different grades. They are effective because they engage students in meaningful learning experiences where they get to practice key skills such as writing, reading, speaking and communicating.

By definition,  a comic strip is “an open-ended dramatic narrative about a recurring set of characters told in a series of drawings, often including dialogue in balloons and a narrative text, published serially in newspapers” (Inge, p. 631 cited in Snyder, 1997). In today’s post, we are sharing with you a some very good resources to help you make the best of comic strips in your teaching.

Ways to Use Comic Strips in Class

Integrating comic strips into classroom instruction opens a creative avenue for both teachers and students, blending entertainment with education in a unique way that can capture the attention and imagination of learners across various grade levels. Drawing from the rich potential of comic strips to enhance learning, here are ten inventive ways to utilize them in your classroom, inspired by both the resources at the bottom of this list and my own experience as an educator:

• Character Analysis and Development : Encourage students to create comic strips focusing on a character’s development over time. This can be a character from a book they’re reading in class, allowing students to explore and express the character’s motivations, conflicts, and growth visually and textually. This activity taps into students’ analytical and creative skills, making them delve deeper into the text.
• Historical Comic Strips : Task students with creating comic strips that depict historical events or figures. This can make history more engaging and relatable, as students have to research facts and then present them in a narrative that’s both accurate and compelling. It’s a fantastic way to promote understanding of timelines, historical contexts, and the human element within historical studies.
• Science Concepts through Comics : Use comic strips to explain complex science concepts, such as the water cycle, photosynthesis, or the theory of relativity. Students can work in groups to create their comics, which helps in reinforcing their understanding by translating abstract concepts into visual narratives that are easier to grasp and remember.
• Math Story Problems : Create or have students create comic strips that present math problems in real-life contexts. This approach can make math more tangible and less intimidating, encouraging students to solve problems in a narrative format that might include superheroes, time travel, or everyday scenarios.
• Language Learning with Dialogues : For language learning, comic strips can be a playful medium to practice dialogue writing, using new vocabulary, and understanding grammatical structures within the context of conversations. Students can create comics in the target language, focusing on scenarios like ordering food in a restaurant, asking for directions, or expressing opinions.
• Exploring Social Issues : Encourage students to create comics that highlight social issues they’re passionate about, such as environmental conservation, equality, or mental health awareness. This can foster empathy, critical thinking, and awareness, as students research their chosen topic and communicate their message through a compelling story.
• Creative Book Reports : Instead of traditional book reports, students can create comic strips summarizing a book they’ve read, highlighting key plot points, character arcs, and themes. This can be a more engaging way for students to share what they’ve learned and can spark interesting discussions among classmates.
• Understanding Emotions and Empathy : Use comic strips as a tool for social-emotional learning by having students create stories that explore different emotions, conflict resolution, or perspectives. This can help students develop empathy and emotional intelligence, important skills in both personal development and academic success.
• Introducing New Topics : Kick off a new unit or topic with a comic strip that introduces the main concepts in an engaging and simplified manner. This can pique students’ interest and provide a visual and narrative context that frames the upcoming lessons, making the material more accessible and intriguing.
• Peer Teaching : Assign students the task of creating educational comic strips to teach a concept to their peers. This not only reinforces the creator’s understanding but also provides varied perspectives on the topic for the class. Peer-reviewed comic strips can then be shared and discussed, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Comic Strip Makers

The following are some of our favourite tools you can use with your students to create beautiful comic strips and cartoons. We have only included  tools that are student-friendly and that are easy and simple to use. These tools provide a wide variety of pre-designed materials such as characters, backgrounds, images, objects, text balloons, dynamic panels…etc. Students select the materials to illustrate their comics, write their content in the provided dialogue boxes and then share their finished product with others.

1- Make Beliefs Comix

A user-friendly platform for crafting comic strips, featuring a wide selection of characters, speech bubbles, props, and backgrounds. It supports creativity with options to print, save, or email the finished comics, making it versatile for classroom and personal use.

2- Comic Creator

This tool empowers students to design their own comics with an array of backgrounds, characters, and props. It’s enhanced by a planning sheet offering detailed guidance, ideal for beginners or those looking to refine their storytelling skills.

Offers a selection of pre-designed characters and scenes, simplifying the comic creation process. It’s geared towards quick storytelling, requiring users to log in to save their work, making it suitable for short, impromptu classroom assignments.

4- Witty Comics

5- storyboardthat.

Goes beyond traditional comic strips by allowing the creation of detailed storyboards. It boasts a broader range of features, including a variety of scenes, characters, and the ability to upload personal images, catering to more complex storytelling and planning needs.

Final thoughts

The range of applications for comic strips in the classroom is vast, from enhancing literary analysis to demystifying historical events and simplifying scientific concepts. Tools like Make Beliefs Comix, Comic Creator, Pixton, Witty Comics, and StoryboardThat enable students to bring their learning to life. Besides making the creation process accessible, these tools encourage students to dive deeper into their subjects with enthusiasm and curiosity.

As we’ve seen, the power of comic strips extends beyond mere academic achievement; it touches on the development of social awareness, emotional intelligence, and language skills, making it a multifaceted tool in the educator’s arsenal. Whether you’re introducing a new topic, tackling social issues, or encouraging peer teaching, the versatility of comic strips can transform the educational experience.

• Snyder, E. (1997). Teaching the sociology of sport: Using a comic strip in the classroom.  Teaching Sociology , 25(3), 239-243.
• Comic Strips Creation Tools  (Google Sites)
• Using Comics in the English Language Classroom  (James Whiting, Plymouth State University)
• Using Cartoons and Comic Strips  (British Council)
• Comics in the Classroom as an Introduction to Narrative Structure  (ReadWriteThink)

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Meet Med Kharbach, PhD

Dr. Med Kharbach is an influential voice in the global educational technology landscape, with an extensive background in educational studies and a decade-long experience as a K-12 teacher. Holding a Ph.D. from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Canada, he brings a unique perspective to the educational world by integrating his profound academic knowledge with his hands-on teaching experience. Dr. Kharbach's academic pursuits encompass curriculum studies, discourse analysis, language learning/teaching, language and identity, emerging literacies, educational technology, and research methodologies. His work has been presented at numerous national and international conferences and published in various esteemed academic journals.

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Create Your Own Comic Strip: A Printable Template

Your kids can combine creativity and writing by filling in these blank comic strips with their own unique stories and illustrations..

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The Center for Cartoon Studies

Teaching comics.

This page both archives teaching content from National Association of Comics Art Educators, along with dozens of additional teaching comics resources for all ages developed by The Center for Cartoon Studies community.  In recent years the comics medium has flourished, generating much interest from the literary, art, and educational communities. This site will continue to expand with more content as it is developed. Recommended grades, along with Common Core subjects are noted on several resources.

For more information or suggestions, contact [email protected]

Teaching Resources

• Individual Exercises • Complete Lesson Plans • Study Guides and Handouts • Complete Syllabi • Books and Magazines

• Individual Exercises

This section contains a list of short exercises. This material has been contributed by various cartoonists and educators. All items are available in printer-friendly adobe .PDF format.

• The Wrong Planet: Timing, Closure and Editing contributed by Paul Hluchan • Design Vs. Drawing contributed by James Sturm • It’s Easy as Changing the Film contributed by Patrick Welch • Editing contributed by James Sturm • Show Time Passing contributed anonymously • Basic Storytelling… Lights, Camera, Action! contributed by Patrick Welch • Intro to Lettering contributed anonymously • Intro to Inking contributed anonymously • Describing the Complex World contributed by Patrick Welch • Silent Gag Cartoon Exercise contributed anonymously • Poetry and Comics contributed by James Sturm • Comic Strip: Character/Place/Situation contributed anonymously • The Irony of Humor contributed anonymously • Autobiography Do’s and Don’ts contributed anonymously • Think Before You Ink contributed by James Sturm • Scenes as Building Blocks contributed by Tom Hart • 20 Questions for Characters contributed anonymously • Intro to Caricature contributed anonymously • Character Exploration Initial Writing Exercises contributed by Tom Hart • Form and Chaos contributed anonymously • A Definition of Comics contributed by James Sturm • Closure Exercise contributed anonymously [ closure_handout ] • Expressive Lettering and Balloons contributed anonymously [ lettering_template ] • Iconographic Language in Comics contributed anonymously • Cartoon Characters Doodled from Memory contributed by Ivan Brunetti • Practicing Text-Image Relationships contributed by Christian Hill

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Complete Lesson Plans

This section contains a list of lesson plans. This material has been contributed by various cartoonists and educators. All items are available in printer-friendly adobe .PDF format.  Each lesson plan has, listed after its title, a grade range for which the exercise is most appropriate. Many lesson plans, though, can be modified to suit older or younger classes as needed.

• Little Orphane Annie: Leapin’ Through the Depression contributed by Joanna Boyd Richards [ sample Annie strips .pdf 2.4MB]
• Teaching Literary Devices with Comics contributed by Nancy Frey and Doug Fisher [ sample narrative .pdf 2MB]
• The Serious Business of Graphic Novels contributed by A. David Lewis [ slideshow .ppt 8.5MB]
• Creating and Self-Publishing Your Minicomics contributed by Mac McCool
• Study Guides and Handouts

This section contains study guides which are geared toward English/literature classes as well as a studio environment. Also available here are handouts useful for class discussion. Several of the study guides contain reading questions designed to facilitate the teaching of prominent comics works.  All items are available in printer-friendly adobe .PDF format.

Study Guides: • The Complete Peanuts Volume I by Charles M. Schulz contributed by Art Baxter • Buddy in Seattle by Peter Bagge contributed by Ben Towle • Above and Below by James Sturm contributed anonymously • Locas: The Maggie and Hopey Stories by Jaime Hernandez contributed by Art Baxter • Jimbo in Purgatory by Gary Panter contributed by Joel Priddy • You Can’t Get There From Here by Jason contributed by Christian Hill • Flies on the Ceiling by Los Bros Hernandez contributed by Rocco Versaci • My Troubles with Women by Robert Crumb contributed by Rocco Versaci • Ghost World by Dan Clowes contributed by Rocco Versaci • Daddy’s Girl by Debbie Drechsler contributed by Rocco Versaci • Sandman: Fables and Reflections by Neil Gaiman contributed by Rocco Versaci • Palestine by Joe Sacco contributed by Rocco Versaci • Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon contributed by Rocco Versaci • Maus by Art Spiegleman contributed anonymously

Handouts: • The Creation of a Page contributed by Tom Hart • Three-Act Story Structure contributed anonymously • Women in Comics: An Introductory Guide contributed by Trina Robbins • Critique Talking Points contributed anonymously • Usagi Yojimbo: Step by Step contributed by Stan Sakai • Mix and Match Rows: Comics Handouts for Younger Students contributed by Ben Towle • Comics Terminology contributed anonymously • How To Read Nancy contributed by Mark Newgarden and Paul Karasik

• Complete Syllabi

In this section you will find a number of complete course syllabi, most if which are intended for teaching at the undergraduate level. The syllabi are divided into sections for studio classes and non-studio classes and have been contributed by instructors from institutions such as Yale, The Savannah College of Art and Design, The University of Florida, and The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as others.

• Comics As Literature contributed by Rocco Versaci
• Comics and Animation contributed anonymously
• Comics in American Culture contributed by Professor Touponce
• Media in Cultural Context: Comics, Cartoons and Graphic Storytelling contributed anonymously
• Survey of Sequential Art contributed anonymously
• Writing About Comics contributed anonymously
• Writing Scripts for Comics contributed by Mark Kneece
• Introduction to Comics Art: Gateway to Visual Storytelling contributed anonymously
• Reading Comics as Literature contributed by Isaac Cates
• Studies in Literature and Culture: The Graphic Novel contributed anonymously
• Comics Studio Class contributed anonymously
• Explore Chicago: The Art of Chris Ware contributed anonymously
• An Aesthetic History of Comics contributed by Dan Nadel
• History of Comic-Book Art contributed by Andrei Molotiu
• Image, Text, and Story: An Exploration of Graphic Novels contributed by Rachel Williams
• Books and Magazines

The reference material here consists of books and magazines which may be useful to educators teaching classes in comics or cartooning. Most of the items listed are instructional in nature, but a few are critical or analytical texts relating to the cartooing artform; Scott McCloud’s Understanding Comics is probably the most well known of these. Several items listed are currently out of print, but reasonably priced copies can usually be located via bookfinder.com .

The Arbor House Book of Cartooning by Mort Greenberg ISBN 0-87795-399-6 New Yorker cartoonist Greenberg shares his knowledge in this comprehensive volume. There seem to be thousands of these “how-to cartoon” books. This (along with Polly Keener’s book) is one of the better ones.

The Art of Comic Book Inkin g by Gary Martin ASIN: 1569712581 Pretty good introduction to inking tools and concepts. Especially good at identifying methods of implying shade and weight on a human figure. A number of variations on the same pencils by differing comic book inking pros offer a good look at many ways a page can be successfully inked.

The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri ISBN: 0-671-21332-6 A seminal 20th century book on playwriting, and the introduction to the “dramatic statement” inherent in any play. The book is very instructive in looking at the elements of your story and examining which are contributing to the greater theme, and which are not. Like David Mamet’s book, it has little room for other opinions of how drama is constructed but certainly presents its own thesis clearly and completely.

Cartooning by Polly Keener ISBN: 0131179128 Although geared towards gag cartooning and comic strips, this book offers a great deal of information from generating ideas to tools and techniques. Covers a lot of the same ground as The Arbor House Book .

Comics and Sequential Art by Will Eisner ISBN: 0961472812 Taken from Amazon.com reader reviews: “Written years before Scott McCloud’s “Understanding Comics,” Will Eisner expounds upon how comics are a visual, reading experience using both words and pictures. He instructs the reader in how words and pictures can be used together to tell a story. The author must lead the reader with visual clues to each sequential image. Mood, emotion, even time can be expressed visually in a comic. Camera angles, panel borders, typefaces, all play a part in the effectiveness of a story.”

Comix 2000 by L’ Association Editors Essential cross section (2000 pages) of silent comics from across the globe. Countless examples of innovative silent storytelling.

The DC Comics Guide to Pencilling Comics by Klaus Janson ISBN: 0-8230-1028-7 Klaus Janson’s book is a distillation of all his techniques and theories. A great book divided into 3 parts: drawing, storytelling and pencilling. Drawing focuses mostly on human anatomy. In Storytelling, he discusses the art of panel juxtaposition, including a nuanced look at juxtaposing unrelated images. He also offers an extensive and detailed look at panel arrangement, including composition both on the page and within the panel. The pencilling section offers a look at Janson’s process on an entire short story, from script to finishes. Overall intelligent, humble, and masterful.

Drawing Comics Lab: 52 Exercises on Characters, Panels, Storytelling, Publishing & Professional Practices (Lab Series) ISBN: 9781592538126 This easy-to-follow book is designed for the beginning or aspiring cartoonist; both children and adults will find the techniques to be engaging and highly accessible.Featured artists include:- James Stu

DRAW! Magazine Quarterly , published by: TwoMorrows Publishing PO Box 2129 Upper Darby, PA 19082 This weighty magazine features numerous useful columns each issue. Past columns have included an extensive look at inking by Klaus Janson, a look at character design by Genndy Tartakovsky (creator of Cartoon Network’s Samauri Jack ), an article on observation and set design by Batman set designer Paul Rivoche, and figure drawing by Brett Blevins.

Graphic Storytelling by Will Eisner ISBN: 0961472820 From the publisher: “A companion to Comics & Sequential Art , this book takes the principles examined in that title and applies them to the process of graphic storytelling. Eisner shows comic artists, filmmakers and graphic designers how to craft stories in a visual medium. They’ll also learn why mastering the basics of storytelling is far more important than the hollow flash and dazzle seen in lesser work. Readers will learn everything from the fine points of graphic storytelling to the big picture of the comics medium, including how to: * Use art that enhances your story, rather than obscuring it * Wield images like narrative tools * Write and illustrate effective dialogue * Develop ideas that can be turned into dynamic stories. These lessons and more are illustrated with storytelling samples from Eisner himself along with other comic book favorites, including Art Spiegelman, Robert Crumb, Milton Caniff and Al Capp. “

The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell ISBN: 0691017840 Seminal and definitive look at world mythology and the “shared stories” therein. From African mythology, to Norse, to American Indian, the elements of myths are often similar. Campbell outlines these and as such, furthers Jung’s mapping of humanity’s unconscious hopes, desires and fears.

On Directing Film by David Mamet ISBN: 0140127224 There is no better description (told in essay form and also transcribed dialogues with his students) of how to proceed from an idea to a no-nonsense visual, dramatic rendition of that idea. The book is a perfect expression of its goal to outline the thinking steps involved in planning out a scene or series of scenes. For Mamet, all the expression lies in the script and in the SHOT LIST. Even his use of actors (as people who just get up, hit their marks and say their lines and shut up) is extreme. Nonetheless, he is completely self-assured of his points of view, and in learning his method of outlining a scene before beginning the filming or drawing, I can’t imagine a better explanation.

Perspective for Comic Book Artists by David Chelsea ISBN 0-8230-0567-4 Both an introduction and comprehensive course in perspective tailored specifically for Comic Book artists (and told in comics form.) People who don’t know perspective will finally learn what they’ve been doing right. Even those that think they know perspective will probably walk away with their heads spinning and full of new insights. Exhaustive and somewhat confusing if you don’t want to do the math.

Smithsonian Collection of Newspaper Comics by Bill Blackbeard ISBN 0-87474-172-6 Essential introduction to the comic strips of the early 20th century.

Story by Robert McKee ISBN 0-06-039168-5 One of the world’s premiere screenwriting teachers dissects and defines the elements of a story. Sort of the Understanding Comics for screenwriters.

Syllabus by Lynda Barry ISBN 1-77046-161-2 Barry teaches a method of writing that focuses on the relationship between the hand, the brain, and spontaneous images, both written and visual. It has been embraced by people across North America—prison inmates, postal workers, university students, high-school teachers, and hairdressers—for opening pathways to creativity.

Wishes, Lies, and Dreams: Teaching Children to Write Poetry by Kenneth Koch ISBN 0-05-080530-7 A classic in its field, this book is a vivid account of a poet’s experience teaching Manhattan schoolchildren to write verse. The book provides great ideas for creating assignments that excite students and get the creative juices flowing.

The Writer’s Journey: Dramatic Structure for Storytellers by Christopher Volger ISBN: 0941188701 Overview of Joseph Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey” ideas and their use in Hollywood storytelling. Though simplistic, it is surprisingly useful if used correctly, meaning not as formulae, but as dramatic tools. Outlines a series of 12 steps in many stories — exemplified by Wizard of Oz but also evident in Titanic and surprisingly, even Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. All in all a good job of cracking open the traditional story structure and peeking inside.

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg ISBN 0-87773-375-9 Lots of exercises to get writers going. Exercises, like the Kenneth Koch book, can be easily translated for a comic artist.

The Writing Life by Annie Dillard ISBN 0-06-016156-6 A great writer writing about the creative process. Dillard offers bits of technical information but more importantly she lays out a realistic perspective on the trials and challenges of making art and the dedication needed to persevere.

Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud ISBN: 006097625X Comprehensive examination of the mechanics of the art form; from mapping of iconographic imagery to an new nomenclature for transitions between comic panels (and a mapping of those as well.) Great overview and introduction to the intellectual tools involved in creating comics.

Your Career in Comics by Lee Nordling ISBN 0-8362-0748-3 If you want to make it as a comic strip artist, then this is the book for you. Nording looks at cartooning from three perspectives: the cartoonist’s, the newspaper editor’s, and the syndicate editor’s. He interviews dozens of professionals providing both a broad-based view of the art form and the nitty gritty of fashioning a solid comic strip.

• Promoting a Comics Curriculum

One of the primary the goals of NACAE was to assist educational institutions and individual educators interested in establishing a comics art curriculum.  The materials below are collected from various sources and outline some of the advantages of implementing sequential art/comics art classes and curricula.

• A Case For Comics contributed by James Sturm
• Seika University’s Department of Comic Art contributed by Matt Thorn
• How Comic Books Can Change the Way Our Students See Literature: One Teacher’s Perspective contributed by Rocco Versaci
• Comics in the Classroom contributed by James Sturm
• Interview with Michael Bitz of The Comic Book Project contributed by Christian Hill

Using These Materials

Q: How am I allowed to use the material on this page?

A: Unless otherwise noted, materials on this page are free to use, reproduce, and distribute as long as they are being used for non-commercial educational purposes. Please follow these guidelines when using these materials:

• You may not use any materials contained on this site for commercial purposes
• You must attribute the work as described below
• If you alter, transform, or build upon this work, you may distribute the resulting work only under a license identical to this one.
• To properly attribute content copied, distributed or displayed from this site, include the following information: Copyright © [name of originating author] via NACAE

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CCS wants your old comics! These comics and many more were donated to support CCS's BIPOC Cartoonist Fund. If you're interested in making a comic book or cash donation  drop us a line . 

FREE COMICS

Cartooning in an anxious age.

Cartooning In An Anxious Age (pdf) is a free comic by Cara Bean on the act of drawing, which focuses your attention and intimately connects you with the generative act of creation. It’s an inspiring read.

Let's Talk About It: A Graphic Guide to Mental Health

Created for middle and high school students, Let’s Talk About It: A Graphic Guide To Mental Health is a lively and educational comic book that destigmatizes the conversation around mental health.

A 32-page comic on how our government works

Using the power of comics to teach teens about the way our government works This Is What Democracy Looks Like, A Graphic Guide To Governance is a 32-page comic book created by The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS). This short comic guide helps to bring democracy back to the hands of the people by explaining what democracy actually means and how the whole thing works. This guide will be a great jumping-off point to learn about our government.

• Lesson Plans

The Applied Cartooning Manifesto

Download a free copy of The World is Made of Cheese, The Applied Cartooning Manifesto.

© The Center for Cartoon Studies PO BOX 125, White River Junction, Vermont 05001 [email protected] 802.295.3319

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Flickr user Gonzalo Díaz Fornaro, Creative Commons

• Visual Arts
• Drawing & Painting

Creating Comic Strips How can you weave together words and pictures in a comic strip to create a nonfiction story?

In this 3-5 lesson, students will examine comic strips as a form of fiction and nonfiction communication. Students will create original comic strips to convey mathematical concepts.

Get Printable Version   Copy to Google Drive

Lesson Content

• Preparation
• Instruction

Learning Objectives

Students will: 

• Analyze the evolution of comic strips using the familiar Peanuts comic strips and other comic strips.
• Explore comic strips from the perspective of a story (setting, characters, plot).
• Evaluate comic strips by looking at words, pictures, and how they work together.
• Create an original comic strip to convey mathematical information.
• Share original comic strips with younger students as a reference tool.

Standards Alignment

National Core Arts Standards National Core Arts Standards

VA:Cr1.2.3a Apply knowledge of available resources, tools, and technologies to investigate personal ideas through the art-making process.

VA:Cr1.2.4a Collaboratively set goals and create artwork that is meaningful and has purpose to the makers.

VA:Cr1.2.5a Identify and demonstrate diverse methods of artistic investigation to choose an approach for beginning a work of art.

Common Core State Standards Common Core State Standards

ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

MATH.CONTENT.3.MD.A.2 Measure and estimate liquid volumes and masses of objects using standard units of grams (g), kilograms (kg), and liters (l).1 Add, subtract, multiply, or divide to solve one-step word problems involving masses or volumes that are given in the same units, e.g., by using drawings (such as a beaker with a measurement scale) to represent the problem.

MATH.CONTENT.4.MD.A.1 Know relative sizes of measurement units within one system of units including km, m, cm; kg, g; lb, oz.; l, ml; hr, min, sec. Within a single system of measurement, express measurements in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit. Record measurement equivalents in a two-column table.

MATH.CONTENT.5.MD.A.1 Convert among different-sized standard measurement units within a given measurement system (e.g., convert 5 cm to 0.05 m), and use these conversions in solving multi-step, real world problems.

Recommended Student Materials

Editable Documents : Before sharing these resources with students, you must first save them to your Google account by opening them, and selecting “Make a copy” from the File menu. Check out Sharing Tips or Instructional Benefits when implementing Google Docs and Google Slides with students.

• Comic Strip Template  
• Snoopy in Space
• Peanuts Motion Comics: Independence Day
• Early Peanuts Comics Strips
• Make Beliefs Comix
• Digital Storyboard Maker

Additional Materials

• Pencils, fine-tip markers or pens

Teacher Background  

Teachers should review the lesson and standards. Math standards are suggested but not limited to the ones listed. Visit CCSS Math Standards for more information. Review the book, Comic Strips: Create Your Own Comic Strips from Start to Finish by Art Roche. Select a video from the  Peanuts Collection or Snoopy Collection (example:  Peanuts Independence Day ). Exploring the following resources is also helpful prior to teaching the lesson: Early Peanuts Comics Strips (1950-1968), age-appropriate comic strips , an example Math Comic Strip , the history   of comic strips, and parts of a story.

Student Prerequisites  

Students should be familiar with grade-level math and parts of a story (setting, characters, plot).

Accessibility Notes

Adapt math materials as needed and allow extra time for task completion.

• Show a Peanuts comic strip video, such as Snoopy in Space or Peanuts Motion Comics: Independence Da y . 
• Prompt a class discussion with the following questions: Is this fiction or nonfiction? (It is creative nonfiction, using fictional characters to share factual information.) Who is familiar with the Peanuts characters? What other Peanuts shows have you seen? What story elements do you recognize? What is the goal of the production? What art technique is used to produce this video?

Build  

• Explore the evolution of Early Peanuts Comics (1950-1968). Ask students: What similarities and differences do you notice about the comic strips? How many frames are used in each strip? What role does color play in creating these comic strips? Who created these comic strips? (Introduce the creator, Charles Schultz, to the class.)
• Discuss the history of comic strips. Share that comic strips have been used as a communications tool for over 100 years and the first successful daily comic strip was Mutt and Jeff , which started in 1907. Comic strips are used to tell a story. They have three main parts of a story: s etting,  characters, and plot . Comic strips use words and pictures equally. Comic strips use a series of frames to show story movement.
• Explore age-appropriate comic strips . Have students work either independently, in groups, or as a class to explore other comic strips. Examine each comic strip for parts of a story, the use of words and pictures, and the number of frames used.
• Discuss the use of comic strips to convey factual information. Ask students: What factual information was shared in the comic strips or video we watched? What other factual information can be shared using a comic strip? Why would a comic strip creator want to share nonfiction information in this format?
• Create original comic strips using the Comic Strip Template or digital comic strips with sites like Make Beliefs Comix , Pixton , or Digital Storyboard Maker . Have each student create a 4-frame comic strip to convey a math concept. Model a math concept, then assign a math concept (learned or reinforced in the student’s previous grade) to each student. Using the three parts of a story, have each student create a comic strip to share the math concept. Have the student first work in pencil (drawing lightly). Review each comic strip draft for accuracy. Once approved, ask the student to “ink” the strip using a permanent fine tip marker. Erase any remaining pencil marks. Each student should title (top line) and sign (bottom line) the strip.
• Create a “Math by Comic Strip” book. Compile all comic strips into a single book. (You may want to create two books: one to share and one to keep as a classroom.)

Reflect  

• Share the “Math by Comic Strip” book with students in the previous grade. Have each student present their comic strip to another student or the class. 
• Assess students’ knowledge with one of the following writing or discussion prompts: What were students able to learn about math from reading your comic strip? How did your words and pictures work together to create a math story? What story elements were present in your comic strip? Who would the audience for your book be?
• Compare and contrast a classic novel and a classic graphic, such as Tales from the Brothers Grimm and Treasure Island , or a nonfiction graphic novels, such as Greek and Roman Mythology .

Original Writer

Carol Parenzan

JoDee Scissors

October 29, 2021

Related Resources

Article thought-provoking art.

There’s no need to divide critical thinking from creativity. The two easily meld into classroom activities with art as the starting point.

• Arts Integration

Lesson Cartooning Political and Social Issues

In this 6-8 lesson, students will examine political cartoons and discuss freedom of speech. They will gather and organize information about a current or past issue that makes a political or social statement and analyze the different sides. Students will plan, design, and illustrate a political cartoon that presents a position on a political or social issue.

• Social Studies & Civics

Lesson Drawing Political Cartoons

In this 9-12 lesson, students will analyze cartoon drawings to create an original political cartoon based on current events. Students will apply both factual knowledge and interpretive skills to determine the values, conflicts, and important issues reflected in political cartoons.

• English & Literature
• Grades 9-12
• Comics & Animation

Lesson Media Awareness I: The Basics of Advertising

In this 6-8 lesson, students will examine the influence of advertising from past and present-day products. Students apply design principles to illustrate a product with background and foreground. This is the first lesson designed to accompany the media awareness unit.

Article Developing an Artistic Eye for the Math Classroom

Middle school math teachers will unlock students’ “artistic mathematical eye” with arts objectives, lesson openings, essential questions, and student choice.

Lesson Composing and Clapping Rhythms

In this 3-5 lesson, students will clap rhythm sequences and compose an eight-measure composition. Students will explore rhythm concepts, including the names and symbols associated with music notation. They will also compare rhythmic sequences to math concepts.

Lesson Counting Crows: Puppet Problem Solving

In this 3-5 lesson, students will infer the moral of a story and compare two mediums of Aesop’s fable, “The Crow and the Pitcher.” Each student will design their own puppet to act out the fable using pebbles and water in containers. Students will make predictions about Crow’s strategy then make comparisons with their findings.

• Myths, Legends, & Folktales

Lesson Creating AB Patterns

In this K-2 lesson, students will construct patterns using visual arts designs and math manipulatives. They will identify patterns existing in the natural and man-made world, art, math, and science.

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Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers

Honest. Quirky. Real. Stereotype-smashing humor for homeschooling families.

Creative Ways to Use Comic Strips in High School Literature

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Ways to Use Comic Strips in High School Literature

Comic strips sometimes have a reputation for being less-than-literature, but the reality is that they offer a very unique mode of storytelling that kids and teens are naturally drawn towards.

Today I’m sharing a secret weapon for teaching literature that – especially if you have middle- or high-school-aged students – is going to be a game-changer. And by now you’ve guessed what it is.  (Gee, did the title give it away?) Comic strips!

Comic strips are a super-effective, cheap, and fun tool that you can use to make high school English/literature extra creative, fun, and engaging.

While you can definitely use published/written comic books in your English or literature class (there are even some classic works of literature that have been re-imagined in that format ), that’s not what this article is about.

Instead, I’m talking about getting older kids and teens to create their own comics. There are several ways to use comic strips in high school literature to make difficult material easier to understand and a lot more fun, too.

Why Comics Help

There are several reasons it can be a good idea to utilize comics with your homeschooled high schoolers. And (confession time) I think these strategies can be just as helpful with younger kids, too. And if you think that older kids or teens won’t like this kind of thing—it’s just not true! Even adults can use comic doodles to make sense of complicated material.

Here are a few reasons I think comic strips can be a powerful superweapon, particularly for older kids and teens.

1. They’re familiar and low-pressure.

Comic strips are a much more laid-back format for expression than some of the more standard forms of high school-level assessment. Why add extra intimidation, particularly if your student happens to get overwhelmed by a particular subject (like literature or English)?

For example, if you have a student who has trouble writing summaries, you may want to use comic strips to guide the summaries instead. Alternatively, you could add comic strips as an assignment in between reading and writing a more formal report. That way, students can use their completed comics as guidelines for more formally-written work. Comic strips can be a low-pressure way for students to organize their thoughts.

2. They’re so much fun, you don’t realize how much you have to think about them.

Comics, by nature, are super-condensed reflections of insight/understanding. You know what they say: “If you want to learn something, figure out how to teach it.”  Creating comics is kind of the same deal. You have to understand something really well in order to be able to creatively summarize it in a small space. So even though teens will enjoy the creativity of using comics in their study of English or literature, they will still be effectively challenged, too!

3. Creativity inspires ownership of learning.

Personally, I’m a big believer in utilizing creativity as much as possible in homeschooling (and in life in general!) One reason is that we always learn from creating. We also typically feel pride, ownership, and connection with the things that we create.

When students get to create something as part of their learning experience, they gain a sense of ownership over the things they’ve learned, too! This may have even more impact on teens, who are in a constant process of gaining responsibility, independence, and ownership over their own opinions.

What better time to embrace assignments that nurture creative expression?  As a homeschooling alum, I know that educational moments that I remember the most from my homeschooling years were tied to assignments in which I got to apply my learning in a creative way.

A Few Ways to Use Comics in English/Literature

Here are some specific ways you can get your high schooler using comic strips to help make English or literature more fun and accessible! There are endless possibilities, but here are a few of the methods I love.

1. Use comics to illustrate a grammatical concept.

The next time you introduce a new concept in grammar, get your homeschoolers to see if they can think of some real-life examples and turn those examples into comics! This requires your students to understand the concept well enough to “tell a story” with it. However, they will have so much fun being creative that it will seem more like an engaging challenge than an assignment.

In the picture below, the concept is that of the double negative. When the boy says, “I swear I didn’t not do it!” he accidentally says the opposite of what he means to say.

You could use this idea to explore almost any grammatical concept: from prepositions to pronouns to run-on sentences! (Don’t forget to give extra points if it’s funny!)

2. Comics can bring a literary device to life.

Similarly, use comic strips to bring literary devices to life (and make them more fun too)!

These concepts beg for solid examples in order to be properly understood! If you are studying literary devices with your student, you may even want to have him/her create a comic for each one and keep it in a book. Things like metaphors, similes, alliteration, and foreshadowing are much easier to understand when you have a story and image to go with them!

You can get some inspiration on these sites:

• Read this article on mikekerr.com for examples of funny similes and metaphors .
• Learn all about alliteration (See what I did there?) and read some fun examples at Alliteration Examples for Kids . (They work for teens too!)
• And take a look at these great explanations and examples of foreshadowing .

3. Comics make great visual organizers for note-taking or creative writing planning. 

Use the boxy format and doodling space of comic strips for a unique type of note-taking space that your student will actually want to use! (This is particularly great if you’ve got a visual learner.)

Are you trying to help your student consistently recognize elements of a story (plot, characters, setting, conflict, and resolution)? Comics can help.

Your students could keep up with each chapter of a book this way. Or they could even plan out their own short stories using this hybrid form of doodling/note-taking. (P.S. Especially if used to keep track of works of literature, this helps tremendously for stories with a lot of characters or confusing character names).

4. Comics can be used as an alternative for a book summary (or even a persuasive essay).

There are a lot of ways to use comic strips in high school literature as an alternative to a larger project, such as a traditional book report or persuasive literary essay.

For example, your homeschooler could:

• Use several pages to create an original, illustrated summary of the work of literature.
• Create different sections for characters and possible themes (as shown below for A Midsummer Night’s Dream ). Then, he or she could choose to expand on each theme, choosing sections from the work to illustrate in defense of that point (just like in a persuasive essay, but visual).
• Choose favorite quotes from a particular work to illustrate or re-create as a comic strip scene.

There are so many options, and -honestly- all of them are pretty fun!

I hope this gives you some simple ideas about how you can start using comic strips to teach English or literature with your older child or high schooler!

By the way, you can CLICK HERE to go to an article on our sister site, Only Passionate Curiosity, to download your own comic strip book report template to use with your kids and teens! You’ll also find ideas for how to use the templates.

What do you think about these ways to use comic strips in high school literature? Will you give comic strips a try with your older homeschooler? Let me know what you think or share your own ideas for creative ways to use comic strips!

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Katie Gustafson  has been a member of the world of “weird, unsocialized homeschoolers” for a long time–first as an alumnus and now as a homeschooling mom to a fiercely fun little girl! She’s very into anything creative, especially writing, dancing, and painting. She’s also particularly passionate about literature and owns more books than she will probably ever be able to read. However, she reassures herself with the belief that, in the event of a digital apocalypse, she’s cultivating a much-needed physical library for future generations. Katie is happy to contribute articles to Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers,  Hip Homeschool Moms   and  Sparketh . She also has a personal blog on  writewhereuare.com .

• Kathryn https://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/author/kathryn-gustafson/ Make this Whimsical The Cat in the Hat Diorama to Celebrate Dr. Suess Day!
• Kathryn https://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/author/kathryn-gustafson/ Who's Helping You Homeschool? 10 Places to Find Support
• Kathryn https://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/author/kathryn-gustafson/ 5 Lessons for Homeschooling in Tough Seasons
• Kathryn https://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/author/kathryn-gustafson/ 30+ Gift Ideas for Moms Who Homeschool

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Exploring Writing Through Comics

Pairing Images with Words

Jason DeHart

In my experience as a middle school teacher, I often found that some students were hesitant to engage with the written page, either as readers or writers. On the other hand, colorful characters and even segments from popular superhero movies were almost always uniquely engaging for students. Comic books and heroic characters made regular appearances in my classroom, and my students even made their own comics.

Comic books work by pairing images with words in a way that can be visually intriguing, while inviting students into a reading experience. Moreover, comic books often feature characters from popular films and television shows, creating an additional media connection for students. Sometimes in my classes, making comics was an introduction to a concept; other times moving ideas into the physical space of comic book panels was a creative way of reviewing material. Grammar concepts, as well as concepts of composition—including mood, tone, and dialogue— could be worked into a comic strip. What follows is a brief lesson plan outline for a three-day unit using student-created comic strips to review concepts of character and plot.

Day One: The Planning Phase

Begin working with students so that everyone has a meaningful role in developing the comic strip. Each student should be involved in the planning, the writing, and the design phases.  This activity took a variety of shapes in my classroom, from individual to collaborative work—I usually organized the activity as a small group assignment where students worked together to produce one comic book/comic strip product. This allowed for team work, creative engagement, and dialogue about the process. I typically introduced the activity with a brief model for the entire class before splitting the students into groups.

On the first day of this teaching segment, briefly review character development and plot structure with students. This can be done very efficiently with graphic organizers, including character webs and plot diagrams. These simple visuals are freely available in a wide variety of places on the Internet, including Read Write Think .

Have students choose elements to include in their comic strips, including characters, attributes of these characters, special powers, and a central conflict that can drive the narrative. This step can be quite creative and allows students to begin to feel like writers as they make choices about their work.

Day Two: The Writing Phase

Once students have made decisions about the elements to include in their comic strips, day two begins the writing phase. Remind students about the structure of plots and how characters work. Consider posting visual reminders around the room so students can reference them as they work.

Each student should be involved in the process of writing the narrative. In fact, I always like seeing multiple examples of handwriting on the page so I know the students are working collaboratively. Writing can focus on developing a script that includes where the story takes place and how the plot develops over time, including conflicts. Students can also include a sense of the dialogue in the story, outlining what the characters will say to one another in the final product.

Day Three: The Design Phase

The final part of the process is actually translating the script and narrative into a comic strip. This can be done by providing a large poster board or individual pages that have been folded and marked to form panels. Students will be making decisions about how to adapt their scripts and narrative writing documents visually. Sometimes this involves decisions about what to cut, what to keep for the final product, and the best way to show details in panels. The process should be collaborative throughout, and all students should have a voice in deciding how to adapt their ideas into images.

Conclusions and Accommodations

The middle schoolers who found their way into my English/Language Arts class were almost always very well engaged by the comic strip activity. Over time, I learned the best way to implement this plan was by exploring large-format comic strips on chart paper, and then ultimately settling on smaller page formats. I also found that the activity was much more successful as a group process, with the exception of a small number of students who were already interested in comics and comic book creation. The groups often had two to three students, although this grouping could increase or decrease depending on the needs of students and the teacher’s observations about how well all members are included in the process. Sometimes I provided character names, but often students enjoyed coming up with their own. In most cases, they designed a protagonist, a sidekick as a support figure, and an antagonist.

When space allowed, students enjoyed spreading out and designing their work on larger pages. This allowed more access for all group members. Small pages were useful as well, but involved additional planning. Group members would then assemble the individual sections into side-stapled, student-created books.

Additional time may be allowed for any part of the process: for expanding the unit should students require more time, or for accommodating the class time allowed for the activity. I would also recommend a variety of mentor texts that demonstrate the nature of the comic book/graphic novel format. The work of Doug TenNapel (especially Ghostopolis ) comes to mind, as well as the graphic novel adaptations of A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle and Coraline by Neil Gaiman . Also , Black Panther: World of Wakanda by Ta-Nehisi Coates and Roxane Gay is a high-quality choice from two writers who are exploring new genres and media. As part of exploring the world of comic books and graphic novels, this provides the added benefit of expanding the classroom library.

Jason DeHart is a PhD candidate in literacy studies at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. DeHart has worked in the education profession for over a decade, and taught 8th-grade language arts at Ocoee Middle School in Cleveland, Tennessee.

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Canva - Create a Comic Strip - Assignment for Students

Subject: Computing

Age range: 11-14

Resource type: Lesson (complete)

Last updated

11 February 2023

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Introduce your students to the world of digital storytelling with this engaging and educational assignment. With the rise of visual storytelling, comic strips have become an increasingly popular form of communication, and this project will give your students the opportunity to create their own comic strip using Canva.

In this assignment, students will:

• Create a Canva account if required
• Choose a comic strip template
• Customize the template with their own images, characters, and text
• Add dialogue to bring their story to life
• Rearrange panels to create the desired layout
• Proofread their comic strip to ensure accuracy and clarity
• Download or share their final product

This assignment is designed to be easy to follow, with student instructions and a grading rubric to help you evaluate your students’ work. Whether you’re a seasoned Canva user or new to the platform, you’ll find that this assignment is a fun and accessible way for your students to express their creativity and practice their digital skills.

• Student Assignment in pdf (planner, instructions, shortcut keys, examples)
• Grading rubric provide in word and pdf
• Planner provided in word and pdf

So why wait? Give your students the gift of storytelling and get them started on their own comic strip today!

Just deliver the pdf with instructions, shortcuts keys and examples to them either electronically or by print. You will need an internet connect so that students can use the Free or Education account in Canva to complete this lesson.

If you have any questions about this resource please contact me at [email protected] .

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