Prompt for Reflection
For this, write a 250-300-word reflection on Satrapi’s graphic novel. In your writing, include the following
two parts.
Part 1: Why do you think Satrapi choose the genre of a graphic novel to tell her story? Choose a page of
Persepolis from which to analyze all the visual and rhetorical choices Satrapi makes on that page. Using
graphic novel vocabulary listed below, analyze the page for the meanings and themes that Satrapi is
attempting to express.
Graphic Novel Elements
● Panels: squares or rectangles that contain a single scene
● Gutters: space between panels
● Dialog Balloons: contain communication between/among characters
● Thought Balloons: contain a character’s thoughts
● Captions: contain information about a scene or character
● Sound Effects: visual sound clues i.e.. Wonk! Pow!
● Bleed: text and pictorial icons establishing action outside of any perimeters; creates a feel of
limitless action and suspended time
Part 2: identify a theme/concept in the story and make a claim about why it is significant in the book. Refer to
specific passages in the book that represent the theme/concept to support your claim. In other words, the
reflection for this week should resemble a mini-essay where you have a central claim and supporting
evidence from the text. End your reflection with a question for your classmates to consider.
Do not summarize the text. One way to begin your reflection is to ask a probing question and then try to
answer it using evidence from the text and your interpretations of specific passages. You may use first person
in your writing if you, indeed, refer to yourself. You may include personal anecdotes or observations but be
sure to demonstrate their relevance to the text.
Reflective writing looks back at the text and tries to understand it better by seeing connections within the text,
to your own life, and to the larger social or cultural context.
