The Secret Language of Comics: Visual Thinking and Writing

Author: Andres

Reflection Post:Back to the Drawing Board

Student Posts

Whenever I am tasked with writing a paper I usually start by writing down my thesis statement and then provide evidence to support that claim; however, the inductive format of writing proved to be much more challenging than I thought. Instead of having some faint idea to base my whole essay off of, I was forced to just write and hope for the best. Although this style was new to me having the opportunity to sit down and analyze the though process what went into crafting these novels was eye opening. I felt that as I was tracing I was able to see why the author’s chose to stylistically implement some format of their writing over traditional prose. I felt as though tracing the pages of the novels helped me to see why Tillie Walden chose to manipulate her gutters in a way that created tension and why David Small chose to draw lighthearted situations with more curves and details than serious panels.

Assignment Prompt: https://eng181f19.davidmorgen.org/assignments/projects/tracing-pages/

Main Page: https://andresvelasquez905687008.wordpress.com/a-stitch-in-time-saves-lives/

Windows To The Soul

Student Posts

When I saw the example photographs by Stephen Mcmennamy I knew that I wanted to choose pictures that could tell a story on their own. After thinking about two things that could work together, I stared out of the window of the Student Center while looking at my friend’s face and thought about the idea of their eyes telling a story. I chose the title Windows To The Soul because a person’s face, more importantly their eyes, are able to tell you so much about the struggles and life that they had to persevere through.

Some challenges that I faced while editing my photo were that PicMonkey kept crashing and freezing. I think my final image is able to convey that a person’s physical appearance can only tell you so much about their lifestyle, while their inner thoughts and emotions can only be tapped through looking someone in the eyes and having thought-provoking conversations.

Chemistry in 2-D

Student Posts

When I read this assignment the first class that came to mind to practice this style of note-taking was my chemistry class. Chemistry is the basis for any science subject and so I felt inclined to start my first year with a Chemistry class. Even though I struggle to understand the concepts we learn in class this visual approach to my notes helped me to organize and visualize how concepts work together to solve a chemistry problem. I learned through drawing all of my notes that it helped me gain a better grasp of what it is my professor was trying to explain to us in words. Even though the drawing process was time consuming, I believe that if I can just take a moment after class to visualize and analyze how everything I learned in lecture is intertwined, I will have an easier time with recalling information.

Link back to original prompt https://eng181f19.davidmorgen.org/assignments/sketches/sketch-3-visual-note-taking/

Surfing The Web

Student Posts

The idea of sketching a picture for class was daunting and then adding the element of a 3-D object almost made me want to burst into tears. As I sat in my bed scrolling through my phone on Twitter I had a revelation. Even though I get on the internet every day, as mundane of a task it is, it is one of the biggest privileges I’ve been given. That’s why I decided to name my sketch “Surfing The Web” because the depth of information and knowledge the internet can provide is as vast as the ocean.

I started off my drawing by laying down the phone as a surfboard. Next came the difficult part, trying to draw a person as they ride the “Wave of Knowledge”. After I drew the man, I drew waves and the horizon line to add more depth to the picture.

Link Back to Prompt: https://eng181f19.davidmorgen.org/assignments/sketches/sketch-2-sunday-sketches/

Reflection Post: Literacy Narrative

Student Posts

My writing process for my narrative came in waves. In order to write this narrative I had to put myself back in time when it was very difficult for me to understand to speak, read, or write in English. The free writing exercises were beneficial to me because it allowed me to focus on writing utilizing my senses. I learned that my writing abilities have improved so much in part to the people who have supported me such as my friends and teachers. The most interesting sentence i my essay would have to be ” As I sat in an isolated area of the classroom, I felt like I was trapped in a box with all my thoughts struggling to be released. ”

Literacy Narrative:

https://wordpress.com/block-editor/page/andresvelasquez905687008.wordpress.com/35

My Avatar: The Silence of Color

Student Posts

The image that I have chosen to represent for my avatar is of a man covering his mouth and displaying the label of “minority” on his forearm. The name of the course is ” The Secret Language of Comics: Visual Thinking and Writing” and I chose this picture which utilizes the contrasting colors of black and white to symbolize the power struggle between people of color and white Americans. The silhouette of the young man covering his mouth is a direct parallel to the silencing of minorities who wish to find an America where equity is possible for people of all walks of life regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual identity, and nationality. This picture embodies my interest to provide a voice for people who are unable to voice their opinions due to the fear of being ostracized for their beliefs.

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