About the Course
BAM! POW! ZAP! Everyone knows Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, and Captain America, but superheroes can come in many shapes and sizes. Must a superhero fight crime? Is Elsa from Frozen a superhero, and what about BB-8, Gru, or Moana? How do storytellers draft heart-stopping tales of suspense? Explore these questions and more on this heroic writing adventure. Like the professional writers at Disney, you'll learn to craft creative stories using literary techniques like descriptive writing, symbolism, plot structure, and figurative language. After examining graphic novels and a variety of other sources in literature and popular media, invent your own vivid characters and unique settings. You'll learn to think critically about your favorite characters, use storyboards, write opinion essays, and create your own unique and compelling tales of adventure. Then you'll polish your stories during in-class workshops with input from your instructor and classmates. These storytelling, close-reading, and editing skills will come in handy during all of your future academic pursuits.
Typical Class Size: 12
Learning Objectives
- Examine the basic elements of a graphic novel, including panel, panel border, gutter, and balloon, and discuss their importance in the genre
- Analyze and interpret visual images, symbolism, plot, and figurative language in model texts
- Develop a superhero and make effective use of a narrator and/or dialogue to advance the plot
- Draft at least four writing projects, including, as a culminating project, a graphic novel
- Engage in the writing workshop process, editing and revising your work based on feedback
About Advanced Enrichment courses
These courses offer above-grade-level material that is presented in a novel context, explored with other advanced learners, and guided by a CTY educator to help prepare students for higher-order thinking and college-style academic challenges. Students work individually and may finish the course early if they complete all requirements before the course end date.
Requirements
CTY courses have grade-level requirements and most require minimum test scores. Some courses may also have prerequisites.
Identification DetailsDates and Tuition
In Person
Gilman School
Baltimore, MD
Day Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 21, 2026
Filling up fast! 3 spots left
Time Commitment:
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Astronaut Academy: Zero Gravity, by Dave Roman
Ms. Marvel Volume 1: No Normal, by G. Willow Wilson
Super Sidekicks #1: No Adults Allowed, by Gavin Aung Than
Speyer School
New York, NY
Day Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 21, 2026
Filling up fast! 2 spots left
Time Commitment:
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Astronaut Academy: Zero Gravity, by Dave Roman
Ms. Marvel Volume 1: No Normal, by G. Willow Wilson
Super Sidekicks #1: No Adults Allowed, by Gavin Aung Than
Registration Fee and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees will be waived or reduced for students who qualify for financial aid.
Learn more about Financial Aid