Spoken, Written, and Multimodal Texts Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering the differences between noise and signal, types of texts, methods for extracting main points, and essential note-taking strategies.

Noise

Background details, filler words, repeated examples, emotional reactions, and unnecessary information.

Signal

The essential message, or the "so what" of the text.

Main Point

The idea the speaker or the writer wants you to remember, even after everything else is forgotten.

Written Text

Text that uses letters, words, and grammar in an organized manner on a page or screen.

Spoken Text

Text that uses oral language, including volume, pitch, rhythm, and accent, to convey meaning through sound.

Multimodal Text

A text that strategically combines two or more modes of communication.

Topic Sentences

Usually the first sentence of each paragraph in a well-written text, which contains the mini-main point.

Supporting Detail

Information that provides dates, statistics, or explanations and is not the main point.

Signposts

Verbal cues used by speakers to highlight main points, such as "The most important thing to remember is…" or "To summarize…".

Post-It Rule

A technique where you try to summarize the main point of a speech in one or two sentences after the speaker finishes.

Subject

The first step in extracting main points from multimodal text by identifying who or what the piece is about.

"So What" Test

A filter used for multimodal texts where you determine if removing a piece of information would cause the text to lose its sense; if not, it is a supporting detail.

The Cornell Method

A note-taking method that splits a page into three sections (Cues, Notes, and a Summary) and is best for lectures and spoken texts.

Mind mapping

A visual strategy that replaces linear, word-for-word text with a web of interconnected concepts; best for multimodal text.

Outlining method

A hierarchical note-taking system that organizes information from most general to most specific; best for written text.