Why should graphic novels be allowed in school?

Answer 1

Whether or not graphic novels should be allowed in school depends on your perspective. Some argue that none should be allowed because they tend to promote violence as a means to promote justice and because they are distracting and counterproductive in an educational environment. Others would argue that only some graphic novels should be allowed because some have obscene content.

For those who would argue that graphic novels should be allowed in school, as the question suggests, there are a few different arguments. First Amendment rights have been invoked with the claim that censoring any form of literature for any reason constitutes blocking rights to freedom of speech and the press and is therefore prohibited by the Constitution. Some have also actively supported certain graphic novels, or the idea of a graphic novel in general, as a powerful educational tool. It is suggested that graphic novels are reflections of their cultures and that by studying graphic novels we can learn more about the values and circumstances of societies in which they were written. Moreover, certain graphic novels have been suggested to have high literary merit and philosophical value. Specific works frequently promoted include Watchmen, Maus, and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.

Answer 2

Graphic novels should be allowed in schools because they engage students in reading by combining visual elements with text, making complex stories more accessible and appealing. They also promote visual literacy and critical thinking skills by requiring readers to interpret images and text together. Additionally, graphic novels cover a wide range of genres and themes, providing diverse perspectives that can broaden students' understanding of different cultures and experiences.