WP2: Pre-write 1

This first thing of note when comparing this comic to others (and in fact the majority of the other xkcd comics) is that it has a very simplified form. All people as simple stick figures without even the dot dot line face seen in many. Despite this, the movement between panels and the curved positions imply a stronger connection from which we can still derive feeling, etc. This, coupled with the handwriting type, gives a simple ethos, relating it as something of a quality the audience could make themselves, especially those with no artistic talent, the quality coming not from technical implementation but instead the story or dialogue occurring, again, something the audience could do themselves given the time or spark of comedic insight.

The backgrounds a similarly sparse (many times not existing), only shown when necessary to the story being told (here's an example of where a simplified background is used to tell the story but is still de-emphasized). This inclusion or exclusion strongly shows the management of the number of elements in each frame. Apart from simply not including them when not necessary to save time/work, it strongly emphasizes the elements that are left, leaving the audience no choice but to focus on them. Whenever the background or props are included in a strip it is because of their importance in the story. The only sort of background in this comic is the chair, desk, and computer that the man is sitting at, used to show, when taken with the other man's statement, that he is posting something online that somebody might find objectionable in the future (not even a floor or any other sort of environment is included). And after the the computer is no longer necessary (once the speech has started) it is no longer included, no longer needing to serve a purpose.

Another trait of many xkcd comics, this being a prime example, is the emphasis on the dialogue taking place, wherein the majority of the comedy occurs. This comic contains significantly more dialogue than most xkcd comics, to the point of emphasizing a long drawn out (and well spoken) speech. The length and coherence of this speech provides much of the comedic value created by the contrast of the unexpected final three panels. By the end, the audience is expecting a continuation of the ethos established by the long speech, finishing in a sophisticated and intelligent, even if simple, conclusion. The disparity created by the simplistic, swearing, approaching slang finale is what creates much of the humor. By doing the unexpected the audience is amused and finds novelty in the story.

Furthermore, the way the panels are split up continues to show the emphases of the comic strip, the middle panel containing the entirety of the long speech, emphasizing that its one speech and especially its length when given the context of average comic dialogues. The final three frames each contain one word in large bold type with a period, emphasizing what he is saying and that it is i.e. louder with pronounced pauses between the words.