READING REFLECTION #2

In Pictures and in Words by Katie Wood Ray -- reflection on Chapter Five

Learning Qualities of Good Writing from Illustration Techniques

Understanding the Quality of Tone in Writing

            The author is able to make his “voice”, including “tone of voice” (emotion, feeling, etc.), heard using carefully selected words and phrasing.

Understanding the Quality of Tone in Illustrating

            Much as the author’s “voice” is heard through word choice and phraseology, the choices the illustrator makes regarding media and technique reflect his/her tone in the pictures he/she creates to illustrate a book.

Connecting Writing and Illustrating

            It is important for the author’s words and the illustrator’s work to work together to convey the intended meaning to the reader.

A Shifting Understanding

            “The key is, in order to help students grow as writers, teachers need a deeply grounded understanding of the ways thinking about writing and thinking about illustrating are the same. This, however, is very new thinking for many teachers …” (p. 72)

Seeing an Illustration Decision in a New Way

            “…one way to craft a satisfying ending is to remind readers of the journey they’ve taken.” (p. 74) The illustrator who “recaps” the book near the end by drawing in elements of previous pages/adventure supports the reader’s recall of story events.