When we write a story we want two things from the reader:

1. That you understand what we want to tell you
2. To be hooked by the story

To achieve the first objective, we need to learn to communicate clearly.. For the second, we need to know the elements that may motivate or to persuade the reader to continue reading to the end. If the story we have in mind is convincing, it is enough to tell it as clearly as possible.

In a comic book, stories are written in a format of sequential images (panels) that may be accompanied by text (dialogue, sound, narration, etc.).

Considerations for creating panels

Each panel requires the selection of a number of options such as images, gestures, rhythm, dialogues, composition, etc. These options can be grouped into 5 types:

1. Selection of the moment or situation in history.
2. Selection of the frame in terms of distance, angle and cropping in which the moment or situation of the story is presented. (frame)
3. Image selection. That is to say, the representation of the characters, objects and surroundings within the painting clearly.
4. Text selection. Choose words that provide useful information in tune with the images.
5. Flow selection. The aim is to guide the reader through the panels according to their position on the page.

Getting these choices right makes the difference between a clear and convincing comic and a confusing or messy one.

Let’s look at an example: A man is walking along, finds a key, picks it up, keeps it, finds a door, turns the lock, opens the door and a lion jumps on him.

Additionally, the man walking could have been depicted in the rain, at night, etc. And if we remove some of the panels, the meaning could change. For example, if we remove panel 2 the meaning could be that he has found his lost key.

In short, to communicate clearly, each panel must show a complete situation and go step by step.