The phantom knocker

The phantom knocker

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about understanding the visual language features used in a cartoon strip.
Look at the comic strip on pages 2-3 of School Journal, Part 4, No. 1, 1997, and answer the questions.
  1. Look closely at Frame A.
    List two techniques used here which are often found in comic strips.​
i)
 
 
ii)
 
 
 
  1. What effect is achieved by the unusual angle the people are viewed from in Frame B?

     
     
     
    1. In Frame C, what is the boy's reaction to the man?

       
       
    2. How is his reaction shown in Frame C?

       
       
  1. In Frame D, both characters are making gestures with their hands. What do these gestures mean?
     
Boy: ______________________________          Man: ______________________________
  1. In Frame E, give two techniques that are used to show that the words in the "speech bubble" are thoughts and not words spoken aloud.
i)
 
 
 
ii)
 
 
Task administration: 
This task can be completed using pencil and paper.
 
You will need to provide a copy of the first five frames of the story "The phantom door knocker" from School Journal, Part 4, No. 1, 1997, pages 2-3. Label each Frame from A to E. This could be photocopied or projected onto a shared screen.
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
English, Making meaning, Viewing
Keywords: 
cartoon, cartoon techniques, body language, School Journal, SJ-4-1-1997
Description of task: 
An extract from a long cartoon strip has students unpacking each frame for meaning and the visual language techniques of; speech bubbles, layout angles, and gestures. SJ-4-1-1997.
Answers/responses: 
  

Y10 (06/1998)
a) Any 2 of:

  • speech bubble.
  • thought bubble.
  • text box.
  • exaggerated features.
 2 correct - difficult

1 correct - easy
b) Suggests the boy is feeling a lack of power. moderate
c) i) Surprise/amazement/shock.
ii) Any 1 of:

  • wide open mouth.
  • raised eyebrows.
  • wide eyes.
  • raised hands.
 very easy
difficult
d) i) Any 1 of:

  • "Is this his place?"
  • Emphasises question.
  • Points to present location.

ii) Any 1 of:

  • "Come in".
  • Invitation to enter.
 easy

 

very easy
e) Any 2 of:

  • The bubble is joined to the top of the boy's head (not the mouth).
  • The cloud-like outline around the bubble.
  • The boy's mouth is closed.
 2 correct - moderate

1 correct - very easy