The history of the written word goes back 6,000 years. Words express feelings, open doors into the
21 , create pictures of worlds never seen, and allow adventures never dared. Therefore, the original
22 of words, such as storytellers, poets, and singers, were respected in all cultures in the past.
But now the romance is 23 . Imagination is being surpassed by the instant picture. In a triumphant march, movies, TV, videos, and DVDs are 24 storytellers and books. A visual culture is taking over the world—at the 25 of the written word. Our literacy, and with it our verbal and communication skills, are in 26 decline.
The only category of novel that is 27 ground in our increasingly visual world is the graphic novel. A growing number of adults and young people worldwide are reading graphic novels, and educators are beginning to realize the power of this 28 . The graphic novel looks like a comic book, but it is longer, more sophisticated, and may come in black and white or multiple 29 and appear in many sizes. In fact, some of the most interesting, daring, and most heartbreaking art being created right now is being published in graphic novels. Graphic novels 30 the opportunity to examine the increasingly visual world of communications today while exploring serious social and literary topics. The graphic novel can be used to develop a sense of visual literacy, in much the same way that students are
introduced to art appreciation.
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