<P> The term is not strictly defined , though Merriam - Webster 's full dictionary definition is `` a fictional story that is presented in comic - strip format and published as a book '' , while its simplest definition is given as `` cartoon drawings that tell a story and are published as a book '' . In the publishing trade , the term extends to material that would not be considered a novel if produced in another medium . Collections of comic books that do not form a continuous story , anthologies or collections of loosely related pieces , and even non-fiction are stocked by libraries and bookstores as `` graphic novels '' ( similar to the manner in which dramatic stories are included in `` comic '' books ) . The term is also sometimes used to distinguish between works created as standalone stories , in contrast to collections or compilations of a story arc from a comic book series published in book form . </P>
<P> The term is not strictly defined , though Merriam - Webster 's full dictionary definition is `` a fictional story that is presented in comic - strip format and published as a book '' , while its simplest definition is given as `` cartoon drawings that tell a story and are published as a book '' . In the publishing trade , the term extends to material that would not be considered a novel if produced in another medium . Collections of comic books that do not form a continuous story , anthologies or collections of loosely related pieces , and even non-fiction are stocked by libraries and bookstores as `` graphic novels '' ( similar to the manner in which dramatic stories are included in `` comic '' books ) . The term is also sometimes used to distinguish between works created as standalone stories , in contrast to collections or compilations of a story arc from a comic book series published in book form . </P>
what is the definition of a graphic novel
what is the definition of a graphic novel
`` a fictional story that is presented in comic - strip format and published as a book ''
`` a fictional story that is presented in comic - strip format and published as a book ''