Xtreme
Learning & Thinking - Xtreme Cartooning |
The
average person has noticed or read several cartoons every day of
their life whether it has been in video,
web, book, newspaper, or mobile device form. Have you noticed that
the majority of cartoons have a common format to them? A cartoon,
in general, tells a story. This is true in all formats whether it
is a three panel cartoon or a comic book. This is even true of a
single-panel cartoon which has three elements within the box. It
seems that most comic formats can be reduced down to three basic
elements. This is what I call the Xtreme Cartooning model.
Elements in the Xtreme Cartooning consist of the SSP, an acronym that stands for
Situation, Setup, and Punchline. A Situation is introduced in the
first panel, and action follows as a Setup in the second panel ,
and then a resolution completes the gag as a punchline in the last
panel. More specifically the Situation describes or defines the first
panel as the scenario and puts in enough information for the first
panel and for the whole cartoon. The second panel sets up the next
panel by creating a puzzlement or cliff-hanger and the viewer wonders
what will happen next. The meaning and humor is delivered with the
final panel with the punchline.
The SSP is similar a play or novel in that it also has 3 components,
act 1, 2, and 3. Act 1 is the Situation and the description, problem
or question is introduced. In act 2, the action or series of events
develop creating a puzzlement resulting as a cliffhanger. In act
3 the Punchline is delivered by solving the problem or answering
the question and thereby tying the loose ends together.
The SSP also parallels the thinking process. John Dewey, in his “Theory
of Inquiry” said that the thinking process consists of 1, Pre-Reflection,
2, Reflection, and 3, Post-Reflection (Dewey, 1933). Dewey essentially
wanted us to consider the thinking process as the action-focus of
reflection was bracketed by the perturbation and resolution.
The SSP is similar to Dewey’s “Theory of Inquiry” in
that the setup, action, and series of events is bracketed by the
Situation and Punchline. Looking a little closer at the SSP we see
the first phase, Situation, as establishing the problem. Next the
Setup is the idea generation and integration. The Punchline culminates
with the Resolution, Implementation, and Reflection.
The Xtreme Cartooning can also be used as a thinking tool in the classroom as well
as the workplace. It is first, sequential and secondarily non-sequential.
Sequential Xtreme Cartooning is viewed as linear thinking. Example: Situation,
Setup, and Punchline. Also Non-Sequential is viewed as non-linear
and as “what-if” scenarios. Example: Setup, Punchline,
and Situation. In addition, this can be done as restructuring and
interjectory.
Stay tuned for more info. Examples of cartoons dissected. More information
is to come on examples of Expanded SSP and non-linear SSP thinking.
Practical application of the SSP and how it fits into critical thinking,
story writing, and research skills. |
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