Reading Response #4 (McCloud)

Summary:

In his article, "Vocabulary of Comics," McCloud attempts to tell the audience how using icons relates to human and how it connects to our instincts. McCloud illustrates in illustration rather than writing. He also states that we humans are very self-absorbed and that we can see ourselves in virtually in any symbol. He draws outlets, cars, and cans proving that we can relate almost every symbol to our faces. He proves that we are very vain, and are fascinated with oneself. 

Comparative Readings:

  Margaret Kantz’s reading, Helping Students Use Textual Sources Persuasively is what i compare McCloud's reading too. In her reading she trys to reach out to the audience to be creative, and unique. McCloud is doing the same thing but is showing the audience his unique and creativity by drawing rather than writing. 

Pre- Reading Exercises:

My favorite cartoon character is, Winnie the Pooh. Winnie the pooh has been on of my favorite cartoon characters since I was a little kid. We connect because he is one of the nicest bears and really cares about other people more than himself. I am just like Winnie. I care about my friends and family and just about doing the right thing. Winnie cares about everything in the world and loves to have a good time, and so do I.

Questions for Discussion and Journaling:

1.  I think adults like the simplicity of cartoons still because adults grew up with cartoons, and that cartoons are easier to read and to get. I don't think there is an inappropriate age to where reading comics or watching cartoons because now of days they have adult cartoons, and like pre-teen, and younger cartoons. Yes some of the cartoons and comics are bad for some viewers but they are sometimes just for entertainment and laughter. I think McCloud would understand somewhat on my view but wouldn't agree with some of it.   
2. McCloud uses the comic book format to convey his readers because it proves a big point that we are very vain, and see ourselves in just about anything and everything. His points would of suffered if he wrote it through writing because he wouldn't prove his point. To me showing me with pictures and how we really do convey everything we see into our own faces proves that it would of suffered through only writing.

Applying and Exploring Ideas:

1. I do believe that teaching strategies should be contain with visual imagery because I learn better with visually imagery. I like hands-on learning, seeing what and how things work. The lesson that would be learned from it would be that if you are a visual learner it will help you in the long run, and will be very effective to a visual learner.
3. I think some adults grow out of cartoons because the new kid cartoons are what they already know, and the new adult cartoons are a lot more graphic and just be for entertainment. I don't think adults know that they encounter with cartoons everyday. 

Personal Response:

I found that this reading was very interesting. I am a visual reader, and he really did convey me that we really are self-absorbed people, and that we see ourselves in just about everything. I think this reading is very interesting, and I would love to read another one.