Well, graphic memoir is typically non - fictional and is a form of self - expression where the author shares their own journey. It can cover things like growing up in a particular place, dealing with family issues, or experiencing historical events from a personal perspective. Graphic novels, though, are more inclusive in terms of content. They can be pure entertainment with fantastical elements or thought - provoking stories that explore complex themes. But they don't necessarily have to be based on real - life events like graphic memoirs do.
A graphic memoir is mainly autobiographical. It tells the author's own life story. For example, 'Persepolis' by Marjane Satrapi. A graphic novel, on the other hand, can be fictional. It might be about superheroes like in many Marvel or DC comics, or it can be a completely made - up adventure story.
Another way is to consider the purpose. A graphic memoir is often to convey a personal experience or message. It might be to share a difficult time in the author's life or to celebrate a particular aspect of their upbringing. Graphic novels, in contrast, are more about creating a fictional world or story for entertainment, education, or to make a broader statement about society. For example, some graphic novels are created to comment on political or social issues through fictional scenarios. The tone can also be a giveaway. Graphic memoirs tend to have a more intimate and personal tone, while graphic novels can have a wider range of tones depending on the genre.
A graphic novel is usually a long - form, self - contained story with complex characters and themes. It often has a narrative arc similar to a traditional novel. A graphic book, on the other hand, can be a collection of shorter works, or it could be more like an illustrated book with less emphasis on a continuous, in - depth story.
A graphic novel is highly visual. It combines text with illustrations, often in a panel - by - panel format. A novel, on the other hand, is mostly text - based. For example, a graphic novel like 'Watchmen' uses pictures to convey mood and action immediately, while a novel like 'Pride and Prejudice' relies on detailed descriptions in words.
A novel is mainly text - based. It uses words to create detailed descriptions of characters, settings, and plots. For example, in 'Pride and Prejudice', Jane Austen uses a lot of text to describe the social life in 19th - century England. A graphic novel, on the other hand, combines text with illustrations. The illustrations in a graphic novel can enhance the mood, show the appearance of characters more directly, like in 'Watchmen' where the visuals play a huge role in telling the complex story.
The length is different. Comics are shorter, while graphic novels are long. For instance, a comic strip in a newspaper is just a short bit of entertainment daily. A graphic novel is like a full - length book in graphic form.