LITERATURE COMPONENT FOR FORM 1

Graphic Novel

Table of Contents
Introduction
The Writer
Synopsis
Elements
Activities
Extension
Beyond the text
Assessment
Glossary

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Introduction
What are graphic novels?
By definition graphic novels are novels whose narrative is conveyed through a
combination of text and art, usually in comic strip form.
- Eisner,W (1978)
The term graphic novel is now generally used to describe any story book in a comic format that
resembles a novel in length and develops as one piece of narrative work.
Novels are presented as books in linear form; picture books tell a story with text accompanied by
illustrations; films work with moving images and dialogue but graphic novels combine all these
elements as a medium for story-telling.
They are like prose in that they are written in printed form, but they are also like films in that they
tell a story through visual images.
- Smith. J(2005)
In a graphic novel, readers derive information visually from pictures which are presented in
sequence. Facial expressions and physical movements are relayed visually so much so that they,
graphic novels are literature in cinematic format .

Why use graphic novels?

In an increasingly visual culture, the use of graphic novels will definitely promote
literacy especially amongst the younger generation due to the elements of
humour and fun.

Encourage reluctant readers to read as the medium of visuals complement

reading of graphic novels. They are more appealing to the eye.

Visuals have a very strong impact on the reader, who makes meaning through
pictures and images.

Graphic novels offer value , variety and creativity. Pictures make texts more
accessible especially to second language users and reluctant readers.

Offer diverse alternatives to traditional texts text light, actions faster and more
reader friendly format.

Introduce literary works like the classics to young adults who would probably not
read them in their traditional novel form.

Reading graphic novels may require more complex cognitive skills than the
reading of texts alone. (Lavin 1998).

Makes learning effective as graphic novels promote brain based learning

making use of both the right and left brain.

Graphic novels in the classroom

Teachers and educationist are now aware of the strong attraction that comics have
over young people.

Most youngsters would not read novels but they are most willing to read comics.

Making the most of this attraction, graphic novels are now being brought into the
classrooms as a means of getting youngsters to read.

As opposed to common beliefs that comics are all violent, raunchy, or sexist there
are now classics such as Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, David Copperfield by
Charles Dickens and Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain as graphic novels.

The words in graphic novels are minimal, yet the pictures help youngsters to
comprehend.

Second language learners give up reading if texts are too wordy. Graphic novels
pull in reluctant readers rather than pushing them away as the visuals function as
clues to help their understanding.

A good picture paints a thousand words. As the pictures in the Graphic Novels are
universal, they are readily recognized and accepted by the reluctant second
language reader.

Using graphic novels in the classroom?

Treat it just like a book or a comic book. Read, read and enjoy reading.

Keep it fun. Introduce fun activities while exploring the graphic novels . Extend the
activities to go beyond the text, to areas found in real life.

Open up their minds while trying out these activities using graphic novels as a take
off point.

Use graphic novels as materials for language learning as students are familiar with
them. Graphic novels are interesting materials in an easily understandable format
for youngsters.

Encourage students involvement and participation in the activities by making them

play the leading roles.

Create a sense of ownership by assigning responsibilities to the students. Some of

them can serve as experts or consultants because they probably know more about
comics than the teacher .

How to read graphic novels?

GRAPHIC NOVELS

ACTIVITY 1

Graphic Novels Is Like

But Not Comics!
Aim(s)
To compare and contrast Graphic Novels and Comics
To identify features of graphic novels

40 minutes

Materials
pictures from graphic novels and manga comic; manila cards

Steps

Divide students into groups. Distribute sets of

pictures from graphic novels and manga
comics
Students sort out the pictures to get pictures
from King Arthur, Black Beauty, Mystery of
Boscombe Valley and Denko Oshoko-Manga
comics
Students compare and contrast the features of
graphic novels and manga comics.
On the white board Teacher placeses two
charts with headings and notes as a guide for
pupils look for the features of graphic novels
and manga comics.
Students enter features of graphic novels and
manga comic on the two charts pasted on the
white board in front of the class.

Notes
Preferably carry
this out so that
students will
know the
features of the
graphic novel.
Four sets of

pictures are
given.

Individually, students to enter details into

handout 1, which is a table contrasting graphic
novels and manga comics. Teacher
summarizes referring to the features of graphic
novels.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

The Writer
RETELLING AUTHOR
Janet Hardy-Gould, an experienced teacher and teacher trainer was born in 1964 in Britain.
She is also a freelance writer and author of children books. She is interested in European
history and many of her works are about the subject. Some of her works are King Arthur,
Henry VIII and his six wives and Marco Polo and the Silk Road. She currently resides in the
town of Lewes, Brighton situated on the south coast of England with her husband Geoff and
their two children, Gabriella and Joseph.
ILLUSTRATOR
Axel Rator is a Swedish freelance illustrator artist and also a speleologist (someone who study
caves). His first work as an illustrator of children books is the reference book About Space
published in 2011. Among his works are the illustrations for Oxford University Press, Mercier
Press and Happy Life Animation. He now lives in Stockholm, capital city of Sweden.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Synopsis
SYNOPSIS
In the year 650 England has no king. People of England are not happy and there is a lot of
civil strife. One night Merlin, the magician dreams of a future king named Arthur. To ensure he
finds the right king, he sets up a magic stone with a sword in it Excalibur. The spell ensures
that only a true king can pull the Excalibur out. Arthur eventually pulls the Excalibur out and
crowned as the king of England. Although he is still young, he learns fast and Merlin helps
Arthur to become a good, strong king and well-liked by the people of England. Then Arthur
meets a beautiful woman, Guinevere and makes her his queen, despite Merlins warning of a
dark future of Arthur and Guinevere. To help Arthur rule England, Merlin gives Arthur a magic
sword. Later Arthur holds a jousting competition to find the best knights for the Round Table
and Lancelot emerges as a winner and he becomes a great friend of Arthur. Guinevere and
Lancelot often ride together. Morgan and Modred take advantage of the situation and tell
Arthur that his wife and Lancelot are in love. Arthur takes their words as true and he drives
Lancelot away. Arthur becomes sad and does not look after his country and lost his throne to
Modred. In the ensuing battle with Modred, Arthur is fatally wounded and Modred is killed by
none other than Lancelot. Arthurs last words to Lancelot is to take his sword and throw it into
the water. Merlin emerges from the water and takes Arthur away.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Elements
PLOT
Exposition
England has no king and people are fighting. Merlin puts up a magic stone with sword
Excalibur in it, which only a true king may pull it out. Arthur pulls out the sword and is declared
a king, which Merlin helps to become a good and strong king. King Arthur wins battle and is
well loved by his people. He falls in love with Guinevere but Merlin predicts a dark future for
them and advises Arthur against marrying Guinevere.
Conflict/rising action
Merlin decides to leave and gives King Arthur a sword for his protection. King Arthur and
Guinevere marry and he builds a castle, Camelot. King Arthur holds a competition to find the
best knight. Gawain loses to Lancelot who becomes the first knight of the Round Table.
Climax
King Arthur and Lancelot are close friends. Lancelot and Guinevere always go riding together.
Morgan and Modred exploit this and drive a wedge between the two best friends. King Arthur
banishes Lancelot from Camelot. Intisgated by Morgan, King Arthur searches for Lancelot for
a fight which refuses by Lancelot. He then informs King Arthur that Modred has taken over the
throne.
Falling Action
King Arthur and Modred battle it out. King Arthur is badly wounded, but Lancelot arrives and
kills Modred.
Resolution
Lancelot helps King Arthur throw his sword into the water. Merlin appears and takes Arthur
away with him.

CHARACTERS
King Arthur
Becomes king after he pulls out the sword from the magic stone.

Fights many battles to unite England.

Loved by his people
Has a happy marriage with Guinevere and builds castle Camelot for her.
Intelligent and creative creates the Knights of the Round Table
Eventually shows weakness of jealousy drives Lancelot away
Does not listen to Merlin lost his throne and life

Merlin
A magician who paved way for Arthur to become king and advisor and teacher to
Arthur
Advises against Arthur marriage to Guinevere and battle with Modred
Gives magic sword to Arthur
Steadfast in his loyalty to King Arthur when King Arthur is dying, he takes him away
Lancelot
Fight with Gawain to become the strongest knight in England
First knight of the Round Table
Good and reliable friend of King Arthur
Brave and gallant- in love with Guinevere, but does not betray King Arthurs trust
Expelled from Round Table and Camelot
Returns to help King Arthur and kills Modred in the battle for his treachery to King
Arthur
Mordred
Son of King Arthurs half-sister, Morgan
Creates bad feelings between King Arthur and Lancelot
Opportunist seize the throne in the absence of King Arthur
Is killed by Lancelot for his betrayal to King Arthur
Guinevere
Married King Arthur
Befriends Lancelot and has a close relationship with him
Goes riding with Lancelot often
Morgan
King Arthurs half-sister
Wants her son Modred to become king
Can see the future predicts Arthurs early death and Modred as king
Wins Guineveres trust but betrays her by spreading falsehoods about her and
Lancelot
Helps Modred to the throne

SETTING
Time:
Year 650s
Place:

Medieval England

Castle of Camelot

Lake where Merlin gives a magic sword to Arthur

The place where Lancelot stays with the other knight

Parts of England where Arthur battles to unite England under his rule

THEMES
1. Strong and true leadership

King Arthur is declared as the true king of all England when he is able to pull out the
sword from the magic stone. Aided and advised by Merlin, King Arthur provides strong
and true leadership and the country prospers. There is no civil war and the people are
happy.
Lancelot also shows good leadership when he is a knight of the Round Table. The
knights relate closely with him so much as when he was banned from Camelot, some
of the knights left with him.
2. Treachery and betrayal

In this novel, the theme treachery and betrayal is portrayed very clearly. Morgan is
Arthurs half sister and Arthur believes in them. He even tells Morgan that Mordred will

replace him as a king after he dies. However, Morgan seems impatient about it as she
says that Arthur is still young and it implies that they have to wait for a very long time.
Thus, Mordred and Morgan have misused Arthurs trust by hinting that Lancelot and
Guinevere have an affair and finally ask him to leave Camelot to fight with Lancelot.
Once Arthur leaves Camelot, they take over his place as a king.

3. Devotion to the leader and loyalty

Merlin is a very powerful magician. Though he has the magic to control the world
around him at that time, he does not misuse the power. Instead, he finds a leader for
England by using his magic. When he has found the true king for England which is
King Arthur, he aids and guides him to lead that country. After King Arthur gets married
to Guinevere, Merlin has lost his magic and he decides to leave Camelot for good.
However, it does not mean that he has stopped devoting himself to King Arthur. When
King Arthur is in trouble, he would advise him through the dreams.
Lancelot is a very loyal knight. Even though he has been banned from Camelot, he is
still loyal to King Arthur. He does not want to have a fight with King Arthur though King
Arthur has come to his place to kill him. He chooses to talk to King Arthur and
convinces him that they need to cooperate to save Camelot from Mordred and
Morgan.
4. Chivalry and gallantry

Chivalry refers to the knightly system during the medieval era which includes religious,
moral and social code. Every knight should obey the code of chivalry and one of them
is about devoting themselves towards the king and be bravr.
In this story, Lancelot is a perfect example of a knight who is a very loyal knight.
Though the king has banned him from Camelot, he still thinks of Arthur as his only
king and willing to fight for him. Lancelot is also known as the best knight at that time
and he is also very brave. This has led to the ack
5. Value of friendship

Lancelot is a very good friend of King Arthur. He is always there for Arthur in the times
of trouble and happiness. He never betrays Arthur even after being banned from
Camelot. He still thinks that Arthur can be his good friend again.
On the day Arthur meets him in his place, he refuses to fight as he thinks of Arthur as
his best friend. He tells Arthur that they should fight against Mordred and Morgan
together and not to fight each other.

VALUES
Some values found in this graphic novel are:
Leader should provide proper and strong leadership
We should look after the interest of our team members
We should value friendship that is true and sincere
Do not taken in by people including family members who are insincere and has bad
intention
We should know how to differentiate between true and false friendship

(Sources: Tan, Christine., Understanding New Lit: Selected Poems, Short Story and
Graphic Novel, Penerbitan Pelangi Sdn. Bhd.)

GRAPHIC NOVELS

ACTIVITY 2

Lets Play
Detective
Aim(s)
To utilise skimming skills
To get to know the structure of the graphic novel.

Materials
Worksheet A

20 minutes

Steps

Distribute Worksheet A

Notes

Get students to complete the worksheet.

Preferably carry
this out as an
individual
activity so that
each student
will know the
structure of the
graphic novel.

Get students to present their answers.

Discuss the answers with the students.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

WORKSHEET A

Lets Play
Detective
WORKSHEET A
1.

Title

2.

Retelling Author

3.

Illustrator

4.

Where can you find the table of contents?

______________________________________________________________

5.

On which page can you find an introduction of the main character?

______________________________________________________________

6.

Under which heading can you find the meaning of words?

______________________________________________________________

7.

Under which heading can you find the information about the author?
______________________________________________________________

8.

What website can provide you with more information about this story?
______________________________________________________________

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Answer Key
LETS PLAY DETECTIVE
1. King Arthur
2. Janet Hardy-Gould
3. Axel Rator
4. The page before page 1.
5. The first page.
6. Glossary
7. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

8. www.google.com

GRAPHIC NOVELS

ACTIVITY 3

Unfolding
Events
Aim(s)
Sequence the events in each chapter

Materials
a folded long strip of paper, scissors, cellotape, coloured pencils

40 minutes

Steps

Divide students into pairs or groups of three.

Teacher instructs students on how to prepare the
folded paper strip.
Students cut blank sheet of paper into rectangles
or panels measuring 7 by 12 cm. Later the panels
will be linked to form a story chain.
Students can prepare a minimum of four panels or
more depending on the number of events found in
each chapter. Students need to ascertain the
number of panels that they need to prepare per
chapter. Students glue the panels together to form
a long folded strip of paper.

Students need to write the following linkers on top

of the panel so that it reads First, Next, Then,
After that and Finally. Teachers can help
students by giving them more linkers if they are
using more than 5 panels.

Under the headings, First, Next, Then, After

that and Finally students illustrate and describe
three or more events for each chapter.

Finally students close the panels so that it looks

like a book. Then they design a cover. Teacher
displays students finished product or work on the
notice board, reading corner or file them in their
portfolio.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Notes
Preferably carry this out
as an individual activity
so that each students will
know the structure of the
graphic novel. A sampel
of the linked panels is
given below.

ACTIVITY 4

Flow Map
Aim(s)
Sequence events according to its chronological order

Materials
Worksheet A

40 minutes

Steps

Teacher distributes the worksheets to the

students.
Students work individually. They are required
to

rearrange

the

sequence

of

events

(worksheet B) by pasting the events in the

flow map provided (worksheet A).

Notes
It is suggested that this
activity should be carried
after students have
finished reading the
graphic novel.

Lets Explore
As an optional activity the students can perform a role play based on one of the events.

WORKSHEET A

WORKSHEET B (CUT THESESTRIPS AND PASTE THEM IN A FLOW MAP

(WORKSHEET A)
ARTHUR DREAMS ABOUT MERLIN
TELLING HIM THAT MORGAN AND
MORDRED ARE BAD PEOPLE.
GUINEVERE DOES NOT TRUST THE
DREAM AND REASSURES ARTHUR
THAT THEY ARE GOOD PEOPLE.

KING ARTHUR WINS THE BATTLE AGAINST THE

LORDS FROM THE NORTH.ARTHUR MEETS
GUINEVERE. HE WANTS TO MARRY HER BUT
MERLIN DOES NOT AGREE. HE SAID THAT HE
SEES A DARK FUTURE FOR BOTH OF
THEM.ARTHUR INSISTS TO MARRY GUINEVERE.
HE EVEN BUILDS A CASTLE OF CAMELOT FOR
HER.

ARTHUR TRIES TO KILL A SNAKE.

MORDREDS SOLDIERS THOUGHT THAT
HE WANTS TO KILL HIM SO THE BATTLE
BEGINS. ARTHUR AND MORDRED
FIGHT AFTER SO MANY SOLDIERS
HAVE DIED. ARTHURS SWORD
SUDDENLY BREAKS.

MERLIN THE MAGICIAN DREAMS

ABOUT A KING WHOSE NAME IS
ARTHUR.MERLIS MAKES A MAGIC
STONE. ONLY TRUE KING CAN PULL
OUT THE SWORD.

ARTHUR FINDS THE BEST KNIGHT FOR THE

COUNTRY. LANCELOT IS CHOSEN AS THE FIRST
KNIGHT OF THE ROUND TABLE. ARTHUR AND
GUINEVERE ARE HAPPY TOGETHER. THE
PEOPLE LIVE PEACEFULLY. SOMETIMES,
GUINEVERE AND LANCELOT RIDE HORSES
TOGETHER.

LANCELOT FINALLY ARRIVES AND HE KILLS

MORDRED. ARTHUR ASKS HIM TO THROW
HIS SWORD INTO WATER.ARTHUR
FOLLOWS MERLIN AND ASKS LANCELOT
TO LOOK AFTER GUINEVERE AND NEVER
FORGETS HIM AND THE MAGIC OF THE
ROUND TABLE.

MORDRED SUGGESTS ARTHUR TO

FIND LANCELOT AND FIGHT AGAINST
HIM. EVERYONE THINKS ARTHUR HAS
DIED SO MORDRED BECOMES THE
KING.

ONE DAY, A BOY NAMED ARTHUR

MANAGED TO PULL OUT THE SWORD.
HE IS ANNOUNCED AS THE KING OF
ENGLAND. MERLIC PROMISES TO HELP
ARTHUR TO BE A GREAT KING BY
TEACHING HIM EVERY DAY.

MORDRED TELLS ARTHUR THAT

LANCELOT AND GUINEVERE MIGHT BE
IN LOVE. ARTHUR ASKS LANCELOT TO
LEAVE CAMELOT. PEOPLE BEGIN TO
FIGHT AGAIN BECAUSE HE STOPS
LOOKING AFTER THE COUNTRY.

MERLIN IS LEAVING ARTHUR. HE ASKS

ARTHUR TO USE THE MAGIC SWORD AND
NEVER BREAKS IT FOR WITHOUT IT, HE IS
NOTHING.ARTHUR MARRIES GUINEVERE.
MORGAN AND HER SON, MORDREN SEES
AN UNHAPPY FUTURE FOR BOTH OF THEM.

ARTHUR AND LANCELOT FORGET

THEIR FIGHT. THEY CONSPIRE TO WIN
AGAINST MORDRED.ARTHUR AND HIS
SOLDIERS WAIT FOR LANCELOT WHO
IS COMING WITH MANY SOLDIERS

MORGAN AND MORDRED STAY AT

CAMELOT FOR WEEKS. MORGAN IS HIS
HALF-SISTER.ARTHUR THINKS THAT
MORDRED CAN BE THE NEXT KING TO
REPLACE HIM WHEN HE DIES ONE DAY.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Answer Key
1.

MERLIN THE MAGICIAN DREAMS ABOUT A KING WHOSE NAME IS ARTHUR.MERLIS MAKES A
MAGIC STONE. ONLY TRUE KING CAN PULL OUT THE SWORD.

2.

ONE DAY, A BOY NAMED ARTHUR MANAGED TO PULL OUT THE SWORD. HE IS ANNOUNCED AS
KING. MERLIC PROMISES TO HELP ARTHUR TO BE A GREAT KING BY TEACHING HIM EVERY DAY.

3.

KING ARTHUR WINS THE BATTLE AGAINST THE LORDS FROM THE NORTH.ARTHUR MEETS
GUINEVERE. HE WANTS TO MARRY HER BUT MERLIN DOES NOT AGREE. HE SAID THAT HE
SEES A DARK FUTURE FOR BOTH OF THEM.ARTHUR INSISTS TO MARRY GUINEVERE. HE EVEN
BUILDS A CASTLE OF CAMELOT FOR HER.

4.

MERLIN IS LEAVING ARTHUR. HE ASKS ARTHUR TO USE THE MAGIC SWORD AND NEVER
BREAKS IT FOR WITHOUT IT, HE IS NOTHING.ARTHUR MARRIES GUINEVERE. MORGAN AND HER
SON, MORDREN SEES AN UNHAPPY FUTURE FOR BOTH OF THEM.

5.

ARTHUR FINDS THE BEST KNIGHT FOR THE COUNTRY. LANCELOT IS CHOSEN AS THE FIRST
KNIGHT OF THE ROUND TABLE. ARTHUR AND GUINEVERE ARE HAPPY TOGETHER. THE PEOPLE
LIVE PEACEFULLY. SOMETIMES, GUINEVERE AND LANCELOT RIDE HORSES TOGETHER.

6.

MORGAN AND MORDRED STAY AT CAMELOT FOR WEEKS. MORGAN IS HIS HALF-SISTER
ARTHUR THINKS THAT MORDRED CAN BE THE NEXT KING TO REPLACE HIM WHEN HE DIES ONE
DAY.

7.

ARTHUR DREAMS ABOUT MERLIN TELLING HIM THAT MORGAN AND MORDRED ARE BAD
PEOPLE. GUINEVERE DOES NOT TRUST THE DREAM AND REASSURES ARTHUR THAT THEY ARE
GOOD PEOPLE.

8.

MORDRED TELLS ARTHUR THAT LANCELOT AND GUINEVERE MIGHT BE IN LOVE. ARTHUR ASKS
LANCELOT TO LEAVE CAMELOT. PEOPLE BEGIN TO FIGHT AGAIN BECAUSE HE STOPS LOOKING
AFTER THE COUNTRY.

9.

MORDRED SUGGESTS ARTHUR TO FIND LANCELOT AND FIGHT AGAINST HIM. EVERYONE
THINKS ARTHUR HAS DIED AND MORDRED BECOMES THE KING.

10. ARTHUR AND LANCELOT FORGET THEIR FIGHT. THEY CONSPIRE TO WIN AGAINST
MORDRED.ARTHUR AND HIS SOLDIERS WAIT FOR LANCELOT WHO IS COMING WITH MANY
SOLDIERS.
11. ARTHUR TRIES TO KILL A SNAKE. MORDREDS SOLDIERS THOUGHT THAT HE WANTS TO KILL
HIM SO THE BATTLE BEGINS. ARTHUR AND MORDRED FIGHTS AFTER SO MANY SOLDIERS HAVE
DIED. ARTHURS SWORD SUDDENLY BREAKS.
12. LANCELOT FINALLY ARRIVES AND HE KILLS MORDRED. ARTHUR ASKS HIM TO THROW HIS
SWORD INTO WATER.ARTHUR FOLLOWS MERLIN AND ASKS LANCELOT TO LOOK AFTER
GUINEVERE AND NEVER FORGETS HIM AND THE MAGIC OF THE ROUND TABLE.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

ACTIVITY 5

Ups and Downs

Aims
Students are able to describe events or obstacles in the story.

40 minutes
Students are able to identify a major problem and describe ways to solve the problem.

Materials

Worksheet A
\

Steps

Discuss with the class the idea of rising and

falling action how a story builds over time,
leading to a climax and then quickly
concludes. Use an example of familiar story
such as Cinderella or Snow White.
Teacher then relates this idea to King Arthur.
As students read King Arthur, ask them to
write ten simple phrases or sentences that
describe events or obstacles in the story.

After reading the novel, students make a list

of phrases that describe events and place
them in the appropriate section.

Finally, ask students to write phrases that

summarise the major problem and its solution.
Write in the box at the bottom of the page.

KING ARTHUR

Ups and Downs

Notes
Students can
proceed to an
extension
activity and
build the plot
mountain on the
mounting board.

WORKSHEET A

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Lets talk about

characters!

ACTIVITY 6

Aim(s)
To make students list down the characteristics of each character

40 minutes

in a form of a bubble map.

To make students transfer the information from a map into a
form of an essay.

Materials
Worksheet A and B

Steps

Teacher pastes the adjectives that describe

the characters around the classroom. (For the
adjectives, please refer to Answer Key.)
Students are given worksheet A. They are
required to fill in the blanks in the worksheet
using the words that teacher has pasted
earlier. Therefore, they need to walk around
the classroom to look for the words.
Discussion of the answers.
Using the information on the map, students
are required to write about a character that
they find interesting in worksheet B.
Teachers marks students essay and gives
comments and feedbacks.

WORKSHEET A

Notes
Alternatively, the teacher
can ask student to
present about the
character in front of their
classmates as a
speaking task.

KING
ARTHUR

MERLIN

LANCELOT

GUINEVERE

MORDRED

WORKSHEET B

Based on the graphic novel, King Arthur retold by

Janet-Hardy-Gould, the character that I find interesting
is___________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Answer Key
WORKSHEET A
KING ARTHUR intelligent, just, courageous, strong, creative, brave
MERLIN loyal, helpful, wise,
GUINEVERE- loyal, kind-hearted, positive-thinker, friendly
LANCELOT- reliable, strong, faithful, brave
MORDRED ambitious, opportunist, a traitor.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

ACTIVITY 7

Who Am I?
Aim(s)
To role play

40 minutes

Materials
Role play cards

Steps

Teacher picks out students randomly and gives

them a role play card. The lines in the role play
cards are taken from the graphic novels. (Refer
to the handout)

Based on the cards, the students need to act

the dialogues in front of the class.

The other students will have to guess the

character the student is role playing.

Notes
This is a whole class
activity. The teacher
can prepare many role
play cards in order to
involve as many
students as possible.
Teachers can also
expand the activity by
getting students to
guess the setting as
well.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

MATERIAL

Who Am I?

I see a wonderful king. His name is Arthur! How can I find

him?

Hello old man! Do you want to give me your crown?

I see a dark future for you and Guinevere. Dont marry

her.

I am King and I choose my queen.

Shall I fight in your name, Queen Guinevere?

When I look into the future I see King Arthur is dead. You
must be king, my son.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

ACTIVITY 8

Label The
Map
Aim(s)
To match different setting with the correct descriptions

40 minutes

To place different settings on the map

To encourage the spirit of co-operation amongst students
To help students comprehend the graphic novel better

Materials
Worksheet A and B

Steps

Elicit different settings in the short story

Students verbally describe each setting
Distribute the worksheet.
Students match settings in the picture
Teacher recaps settings in the short story

Notes
Students can also
look for textual
evidence from the
text
to support the
information and
description given in
the picture by
producing a specific

GRAPHIC NOVELS

ACTIVITY A

Label The
Map
Label the map below with the correct description.

A place where Mordred and Morgan

interested in

Mordred and Morgan hid in this place

when King Arthur came home after
meeting Lancelot

A place where Lancelot and the other

knights stayed after being banned from
the Camelot

Year 650s Medieval England

A place where Arthur got his sword

The true king was discovered by

pulling the sword

GRAPHIC NOVELS
WORKSHEET

; _____________
1. Year
__________________________

2. Lake :

3. Camelot:
____________

4. Magic Stone:

___________________
_

6. Woods:
___________________

5. Village next to
Camelot:

________________
GRAPHIC NOVELS

Answer Key
TRACE ME

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

D
E
A
F
B
C

GRAPHIC NOVELS

ACTIVITY 9

Where Are
We?
Aim(s)
To enable the students identify a particular setting and event
To enable the students to rephrase the events in their own words.
To encourage the spirit of co-operation amongst students.

80 minutes

Materials
Worksheet A

graphic novel

Steps

Divide the class into pairs/groups.

Explain what the students are going to do
Distribute the worksheet.

Notes
Alternatively,
the teacher can
ask students to

Discuss the answers with the students.

lead the
discussion.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Where Are
We?
The setting is in year 650s. Your task :

WORKSHEET A

a) Refer to the graphic novel.

b) Write down the places mentioned in the graphic novel.
c) In your own words, state the event that took place there.

1.
Place :___________________________
Event: ___________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

2.
Place :___________________________
Event: ___________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

3.

Place :___________________________
Event: ___________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

4.
Place :___________________________
Event: ___________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

1.
Place :___________________________
Event: ___________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

6.

Place :___________________________
Event: ___________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

7.
Place :___________________________
Event: ___________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Answer Key
(Accept any relevant answers pertaining to event)
1

Place = Magic Stone

Event = Merlin wats to find the true king for England so he uses magic that only a true
king can pull the sword.

Place = Camelot
Event = King Arthur built a castle for his beloved queen, Guinevere

Place = Lake
Event = Merlin gave King Arthur a magic sword to be used for his battles

Place =Camelot
Event = Mordred and Morgan arrived and stayed there for weeks. Both of them have bad
intention towards King Arthur and Camelot

Place = Camelot
Event = Morrdred incited Arthur by hinting that Lancelot and the queen were often
together and that they were in love

Place =Lancelots place

Event = King Arthur cam e to see Lancelot to fight with him

Place = Lake
Event = As ordered by the king, the word was thrown away into the water as it was the
magic sword given by Merlin

GRAPHIC NOVELS

ACTIVITY 10

Lets Theme
Up
Aim(s)
Make students aware of some of the themes found in the graphic
novel
Give students the opportunity to look for textual evidence from the
novel
Enable students to rephrase the textual evidence

40
minutes

Materials
Worksheet A

graphic novel

Steps

.
Distribute the worksheet.

Then, present their findings and see if there are

similarities.

Asks students to fill it in with contextual

evidence which can be found in the text
together with the page number.

I If there are any differences, discuss which

could and could not be accepted and make
amendments.`

Notes
Teacher may
also carry out
this activity
without the
worksheet

GRAPHIC NOVELS

WORKSHEET A

Lets Theme
Up
Number

Theme

Strong and true

leadership

Chivalry and
gallantry

Treachery and
betrayal

Value of
friendship

Loyalty and
devotion to the
leader

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Textual Evidence

Page
Number

Answer
Key
1. Textual evidence: The people praised King Arthur for doing a good job by saying that
they had lots of food to eat and there was no more fighting anymore.
Page Number: 11
2. Textual evidence: Lancelot revenged for Arthurs death. He killed Mordred though
Arthur had banned him from Camelot.
Page Number: 23
3. Textual evidence: Mordred said bad things about the relationship between Guinevere
and Lancelot. He made Arthur ban Lancelot from Camelot and thus left the country in
chaos.
Page Number: 15
4. Textual evidence: When Arthur met Lancelot, he asked him to fight but Lancelot
refused and said that he did not want to fight as they were best friends.
Page Number: 18
5. Textual evidence: Merlin spent years with Arthur to teach him how to be a king. He
devoted himself to Arthur until the end of Arthurs life.
Page Number: 3

GRAPHIC NOVELS

ACTIVITY 11

Lets Theme Up
Too
Aim(s)
To look for the themes pasted around the classroom.

40 minutes

To Identify the correct themes.

To encourage teamwork

Materials
Worksheet A

Steps

Paste the paper strips containing themes around the

classroom. The themes should have distracters
Divide the class into groups.
Look for the themes pasted around the classroom,
write them down and return to their groups.
Decide on the correct theme and write them on the
worksheet provided.
The fastest group with correct themes wins.

Notes
Alternatively,
the teacher can
ask students to
lead the
discussion.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

WORKSHEET A

Lets Theme Up
Too
Seeking the truth

Strong and true leadership

It is important to be courageous.

Treachery and betrayal

Chivalry and gallantry

Keeping a Secret

Value of friendship

Self discovery

Kindness

Loyalty and devotion to the leader

Being Adventurous

GRAPHIC NOVELS

ACTIVITY 12

Lets
Compare
Aim(s)
To give students the opportunity to read other similar stories
regarding war and loyalty to King.
To enable the students to pick the values found in the stories.
To enable the students to compare the values found in the
stories
To give students the opportunity to work together in groups.

Materials
Worksheet A
Other short stories

Graphic novel

80 minutes

Steps

Divide the class into groups. Explain how to carry

out the activity.
Distribute the worksheet. Tell the class that they
will have to prepare a power point presentation
based on their group discussion.

Notes
Alternatively,
the final product
can be put up
on mahjong
paper.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

WORKSHEET A

Lets
Compare
Compare the values found in this graphic novel to the values found in the novel assigned to
your group.
In your comparison,
a) indicate if the values are similar or different in both stories
b) for each value stated, quote 1 example/event from the 2 stories to back up your
answer.
Each group has to come up with at least 3 values.
You can either follow the sample given below or present the information based on your own
creativity. You can also present the information in a form of a Power Point Presentation.

KING
ARTHUR

HANG

(ACCEPT ANY RELEVANT ANSWERS BASED ON THE PARALLEL NOVELS USED)

GRAPHIC NOVELS

ACTIVITY 13

What have I
learnt?
Aim(s)
Make students aware of some of the moral value found in the
graphic novel
Give students the opportunity to look for textual evidence from the
novel
Enable students to rephrase the textual evidence

Materials

Worksheet A

graphic novel

80
minutes

Steps

Distribute the worksheet to the students.

Explain how to carry out the activity.
Discuss the answers with the students.

Notes
Alternatively,
the students
can walk around
& share their
answers with
the others

GRAPHIC NOVELS

WORKSHEET A

What have I
learnt?
Write about what you have learnt from the novel.
1

Moral Value
Loyalty makes family
Textual evidence from the novel:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________
Moral Value
Leadership is action, not position
Textual evidence from the novel:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________
Moral Value
If we want peace, then we should work for justice.
Textual evidence from the novel:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________
Moral Value
Respect is the best policy in friendship
Textual evidence from the novel:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________
Moral Value
Teamwork makes the dream work
Textual evidence from the novel:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

GRAPHIC NOVELS

ACTIVITY 14

A Guessing
Game
Aim(s)
To role play
To encourage the spirit of co-operation amongst students

Materials
Role play cards

40 minutes

Steps

Teacher divides the class into groups of 4-5

and distributes one moral value card to each
group.

Based on the cards, the students need to act

the meaning of the moral value on the card in
front of the class.

The other groups will have to guess the moral

values. Offer prompts until someone states the
correct moral value for each presentation.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

A Guessing
Game

Notes
Remember not to be
confused between
moral values and
theme. Students can
carry out a game of
charade or mime based
on the scene that
depicts value in the
novel.

HANDOUT

GRAPHIC NOVEL

ACTIVITY 15

Lets Recognize Me

Aim(s)
To look for the moral values pasted around the classroom.
To Identify the correct moral values.
To encourage teamwork

40 minutes

Materials
Handout A

Steps

Paste the paper strips containing moral values around

the classroom. The moral values should have
distracters

Divide the class into groups.

Look for the moral values pasted around the
classroom, write them down and return to their groups.

Notes
Alternatively,
the teacher can
ask students to
lead the
discussion.

Decide on the correct moral values and write them on

the worksheet provided.
The fastest group with correct moral values wins.

GRAPHIC NOVEL

Lets Recognize
Me

HANDOUT A

Leadership is action, not position

Loving Animals
Loyalty makes family

Law and Order

If we want peace, then we should work for justice.

Keeping a Secret
Being respectful is the best policy in friendship
Self discovery

Kindness

Teamwork makes the dream work

Being Adventurous

GRAPHIC NOVELS

ACTIVITY 16

Extension
1. Create a one-page newspaper covering at least three events in the story. Interview the
characters as part of composing the news or feature stories.
2. Decide which scenes or pictures from the novel each main character would want to
remember. Then draw several of these "photos" for an album or write about which
pictures the characters would want in his album.
3. Make a timeline of the trip indicating the important events and also indicating what you
would consider the easy parts as compared to the difficult parts. Share your timeline
with your classmates. Compare the time lines and discuss why they differ.
4. Create a series of six drawings in six squares showing a significant event in the novel.
Under each picture or cartoon, write a few lines of explanation.
5. Create a scrap book of comparison between King Arthur and any present King/leader
of today of your choice.
6. Discuss about weapons used in wars then and now.
7. Hold a forum in your class about What makes a good Leader?

GRAPHIC NOVELS

ACTIVITY 17

Beyond The Text

1. Create a story board/picture outline of this graphic novel that would help a movie
director decide how to represent this graphic novel into a movie.
2. Create a one-page newspaper covering at least three events in the story. Interview the
characters as part of composing the news or feature stories.
3. Select 5 events from the graphic novel and indicate pieces of music to be used for
those events if it was going to be produced into a movie. Write why your selections are
appropriate.
4. Read other war stories and compare them to King Arthur.
5. Do some research on England during the dark ages through the internet or the library.
The research can include its climate and people
.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

ASSESSMENT 1

Subjective
Questions
I. OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
The following questions are based on King Arthur

General Instructions:

Give evidence from the graphic novel to support your answer.

Your response should be written in continuous writing (not in note form).
You should write not less than 50 words.

Plot
1. Write about why you like or dislike the ending of the story.
2. Write about an incident that you think is important or interesting. Give reasons why you
think it is important or interesting.
3. Write about an event that you think is exciting in the story. Give reasons why you think
it is exciting.

Character
4. Write on how the characters work together to obtain success.
5. Write about a character that you find most interesting.
6. Write about a character that you like.
7. Write about two positive or good qualities of one of the characters in the story.
8. Write about a character who is brave in the story.
9. Write about a character who show great determination in the story.
10. Write your opinions on the three characters in the story.

Theme

11. Write about one of the themes of the story.

12. Write on one of the following themes:
(a) Seeking Victory
(b) Loyalty

Values
13. Write about an important moral value that you have learnt from the story.
14. Discuss the value of teamwork as shown by the characters in the story.

Setting
15. Write about one of the settings which appeared in the story.
16. Write about a setting that you find interesting. Give reasons why you think it is exciting.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

ASSESSMENT 2

Authentic
Assessment
I. PORTFOLIO
Instructions:
1. students are required to save and compile their individual work on the graphic novel in
a portfolio.
2. Students organise their work according to the headings below.
a. Setting
d.
Themes
b. Characters
e.
Values
c. Plot
3. Marks will be allocated according to the scoring guide given below.

Suggested Scoring Guide for Portfolio

Name:

Class:
Marks
23 30
17 22
10 16
09

Content
Complete or all 5
headings compiled
Incomplete or only 4
headings compiled
Incomplete or only 3
headings compiled
Incomplete or only 2 and
less headings compiled

Language
Very accurate
language used
Fairly accurate
language used
Satisfactory
language used
Poor language used

Sub-total
(Good attitude,
participation &
collaboration with
the teacher)
10 marks*
TOTAL
Note: * Marks to be given according to teachers discretion.
II. ROLE PLAY
Instructions:
1. Divide the students into groups of 3 or more.

Creativity
Very creative
Fairly creative
Satisfactorily
creative
Lacking in
creativity

2. Each group will have to present a role play on the graphic novel either on certain
chapters or the play as a whole.
3. Students are allowed to use their own props, costume and audio visual aids.
4. Present the play within 20 minutes.
5. Marks will be allocated according to the marking guide given below.

Suggested Scoring Guide for Role Play

Presentation
and
Group No.

Language

Coordination
(35 Marks)

(30 marks)

Creativity

Positive

(Plot, special

values

Effects, Sound

and

and Costume)

Message

(100

(20 marks)

(15

marks)

marks)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Glossary

TOTAL

Word

Explanation

Beat

win a fight against a person

break

make something go into smaller pieces

choose

take the thing or person that you like the best

competition

a game that people try to win

crown

a special thing that a king wears on his head

future (adj)

of the time that happen sometime after today

future (n)

the time that happens sometime after today

king

the most important man in the country

knight

a soldier with a horse, in the time of King Arthur

look after

take care of somebody

lord

a very important man with a lot of land and money

magic (n)

a special power that can make wonderful of strange

things happen

magician

somebody who makes strange things happen

marry

take somebody as your husband or wife

the North

the direction on your left when you watch the sun come
up in the morning

prison

a place where bad people are locked up

pull

move something strongly towards you

queen

the wife of a king

soldier

a person in an army

strong (adj.)

having a powerful body

throw

lift something up and send it quickly through the air

traitor

someone who goes against his King or his country

try

see if you can do something

win

be the best in the game

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Panel of Writers

Farah Hidayah Azmi

SMK Lembah Bidong,
Setiu,Terengganu

Hafidzatun Nadwa Bt
Mamat Yusoff
SMK Chalok Model Khas,
Setiu, Terengganu

Siti Aqilah Awang

SMK Lembah Bidong,
Setiu, Terengganu

Muhammad Khairuddin
bin Romainor
SMK Langkap, Setiu,
Terengganu

GRAPHIC NOVELS

References

Tan, C. (2015) Selected Poems, Short Story and Graphic Novel : King Arthur,
Penerbitan Pelangi Sdn. Bhd.
Curriculum Development Division (2011), Ministry of Education Malaysia, English
Literature Component for Form 1.