Text 1Graphic novels are increasingly popular in bookstores and libraries, but they shouldn't be classified as literature. By definition, literature...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Graphic novels are increasingly popular in bookstores and libraries, but they shouldn't be classified as literature. By definition, literature tells a story or conveys meaning through language only; graphic novels tell stories through illustrations and use language only sparingly, in captions and dialogue. Graphic novels are experienced as series of images and not as language, making them more similar to film than to literature.
Text 2
Graphic novels present their stories through both language and images. Without captions and dialogue, readers would be unable to understand what is depicted in the illustrations: the story results from the interaction of text and image. Moreover, Alison Bechdel's Fun Home and many other graphic novels feature text that is as beautifully written as the prose found in many standard novels. Therefore, graphic novels qualify as literary texts.
Based on the texts, how would the author of Text 2 most likely respond to the overall argument presented in Text 1?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Graphic novels are increasingly popular in bookstores and libraries, but they shouldn't be classified as literature.' |
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| 'By definition, literature tells a story or conveys meaning through language only;' |
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| 'graphic novels tell stories through illustrations and use language only sparingly, in captions and dialogue.' |
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| 'Graphic novels are experienced as series of images and not as language, making them more similar to film than to literature.' |
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Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
- Main Point: The two texts present opposing views on whether graphic novels should be classified as literature, with Text 1 arguing they're too image-dependent and Text 2 arguing that language plays a crucial and high-quality role.
- Argument Flow: Text 1 establishes a language-only definition of literature and argues graphic novels don't fit because they rely primarily on images. Text 2 counters by arguing that language is actually essential in graphic novels and that this language can be as well-crafted as traditional novels.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? How would Text 2's author respond to Text 1's overall argument
What type of answer do we need? The specific way Text 2's author would counter or address Text 1's position
Any limiting keywords? N/A
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Text 1's overall argument is that graphic novels aren't literature because they rely primarily on images rather than language.
- Text 2's author would respond by emphasizing that language actually plays a much more important and essential role in graphic novels than Text 1 acknowledges.
- This perfectly captures Text 2's response strategy.
- Text 1 dismisses language as 'only sparingly' used, but Text 2 argues it's essential for understanding and can be beautifully crafted.
- Text 2 doesn't acknowledge any flaw - it completely disagrees with Text 1's position.
- Text 2 never discusses difficulty of storylines or comprehension complexity.
- Text 2 argues the opposite - that graphic novels ARE as well crafted as literary works.