This module focuses on the relationship between narrative, meaning, and audience within comics and sequential storytelling. It develops your ability to analyse, write, and shape narratives with specific audiences in mind, recognising how tone, structure, style, and content are influenced by who a story is intended for.

You will explore a range of narrative approaches and audience theories, considering how stories communicate meaning across different demographic, cultural, and contextual settings. Through critical discussion and guided activities, you will examine how audience expectations shape narrative decisions and how these insights can be applied to your own creative writing and storytelling practice.

A series of short, focused projects support the development of narrative skills, encouraging experimentation with writing, structure, and point of view rather than extended production. These activities emphasise audience awareness, narrative clarity, and meaning, allowing you to test ideas and approaches in response to different audience scenarios.

Audience research is embedded throughout the module, supporting informed creative decision-making and reflection. You will be encouraged to critically evaluate your own work and that of others, demonstrating growing independence, agency, and confidence in shaping narratives that respond thoughtfully to intended audiences. The module provides a foundation for more collaborative and public-facing work later in the course.

Assessment 1: Project

An individual narrative project developed through a series of short, focused workshop tasks exploring narrative structure, meaning, and audience within comics and sequential storytelling. The project prioritises experimentation, development, and decision-making over the production of a fully resolved final artefact.

The project will demonstrate:
- Clear identification of an intended audience
- Application of audience research and narrative theory to creative decision-making
- Experimentation with structure, tone, pacing, and point of view
- Narrative clarity and coherence appropriate to the chosen audience
- Use of appropriate digital tools to draft, structure, and present narrative work
- Supporting development material evidencing problem-solving and iteration

The final submission may include written narrative exercises, script extracts, narrative outlines, sequential breakdowns, or short sequential work, appropriate to the focus of the project.

Purpose:
Demonstrates the ability to solve discipline-specific narrative problems using evidence-based approaches and to apply digital tools in support of professional creative workflows within cartoon and comic arts.

Assessment 2: Reflection

A concise reflective commentary evaluating the development of narrative thinking and audience awareness across the module.

The commentary should:
- Reflect on how audience research informed narrative and creative decisions
- Evaluate strengths, challenges, and learning outcomes from workshop tasks and the narrative project
- Consider how skills developed during the module support future creative and professional practice

This can be submitted as:
Option 1: Written reflection 1800 words
Option 2: Audio reflection 6-8 Mins
Option 3: Video reflection 6-8 Mins

Purpose:
Supports reflective practice and professional development through critical evaluation of narrative decision-making and audience awareness.

Formative Assessment

Midway formative feedback will be embedded within practical sessions, providing structured opportunities for feedback on work-in-progress to support student development and progression.

Learning is delivered through lectures, seminars, tutorials, and group discussions exploring narrative theory, audience research, and meaning in comics.

Academic workshops and small-group sessions support critical analysis, writing development, and the communication of ideas.

Short, focused exercises encourage experimentation with narrative approaches and audience scenarios.
Independent study supports research, reflection, and the evaluation of creative decisions in response to intended audiences.

1. Apply knowledge and storytelling skills to produce a creative project that responds to contemporary issues within cartoon and comic arts.

Knowledge & Understanding

2. Solve discipline-specific problems using evidence-based approaches.

Application & Problem Solving

3. Apply digital tools to support professional-standard creative workflows in cartoon and comic arts.

Digital Literacy

4. Reflect critically on your development as an emerging professional in cartoon and comic arts.

Reflection

- Studio workspace and specialist teaching spaces appropriate to the module.
- Access to computer labs and industry-standard creative software for image-making, layout, digital illustration, and three-dimensional modelling.
- Print Bureau and fabrication facilities, including access to digital manufacturing equipment such as 3D printers and laser cutters, where appropriate.
- Workshop technician support and health and safety inductions for specialist equipment and fabrication processes.
- Access to specialist facilities including CAD labs, digital production spaces, and simulation or pre-visualisation environments where relevant to the module.
- University Library resources, including physical collections, digital databases, subject guides, and special collections.
- Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment and licensed digital platforms to support learning, communication, and assessment submission.
- Student Life and University Careers resources to support academic development and employability.

Cohn, N. (2016) The visual narrative reader. London: Bloomsbury Academic.

Davies, P. F. (2020) Comics as communication: A functional approach. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Gavaler, C. (2022) The comics form. London: Bloomsbury Academic.

Miers, J. W. (2017) Visual metaphor and drawn narratives. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Where older texts are included, they are retained as foundational texts within the discipline, remaining relevant where no more recent equivalent texts are available.

Who are you telling your story to and how does that shape what you write?

In this module, you’ll explore the relationship between narrative, meaning, and audience in comics and sequential storytelling. Through short, focused projects, you’ll experiment with tone, structure, style, and point of view, using audience research to inform creative decisions. You’ll analyse how stories communicate across different contexts and develop confidence in shaping clear, purposeful narratives, building a strong foundation for later collaborative and public-facing work.