Study Notes on Multimodal Composing by Melanie Gagich

An Introduction to and Strategies for Multimodal Composing

Overview

  • This chapter introduces multimodal composing and outlines strategies for creating multimodal texts.

  • Key focus areas:

    • Definitions of terms associated with multimodal composing.

    • Explanation and examples of five modes of communication.

    • Introduction to the New London Group and the importance of multimodal skills in writing classes.

    • Pre-drafting and drafting strategies for multimodal composing.

    • Brief discussion of open licenses and Creative Commons.

    • Suggestions for further reading.

The Concept of Multimodal Texts

  • Students often associate college writing with traditional tools: pens, paper, word processors, printers, and essays.

  • The concept of creating a “multimodal text” may be unfamiliar, as students transition from high school writing to college composition classes.

  • Importance of multimodal composing is underscored as this skill has a historical presence in writing studies and is increasingly relevant in academic and professional settings.

What Is a Multimodal Text?

  • The term “text” encompasses diverse forms of communication beyond just written work (e.g., movies, memes, social media posts, podcasts).

  • Definition of Multimodal Texts:

    • Pamela Takayoshi and Cynthia L. Selfe define multimodal texts as “texts that exceed the alphabetical and may include still and moving images, animators, color, words, music, and sound.”

  • Multimodality is often associated with digital spaces, yet can be represented in non-digital formats (e.g., collages).

The Five Modes of Communication

  • In a 1996 publication by the New London Group, five modes of communication were identified: linguistic, visual, spatial, gestural, and aural.

  • Definitions and Examples of Each Mode:

    1. Visual Mode:

    • Definition: Pertains to what can be seen (e.g., images, colors, text size and style).

    • Example: Social media images.

    1. Linguistic Mode:

    • Definition: Involves alphabetic text or spoken word, focusing on the use of language.

    • Example: Traditional essays.

    1. Spatial Mode:

    • Definition: Concerns arrangement and organization of content within the text.

    • Example: Infographics that highlight statistics.

    1. Gestural Mode:

    • Definition: Includes body language and movements associated with communication.

    • Example: Public speaking gestures.

    1. Aural Mode:

    • Definition: Relates to sounds that can be heard, including music and silence.

    • Example: Podcasts and sound in multimedia.

  • Multimodal texts combine these modes, with varying emphasis depending on context and audience.

Importance of Multimodal Composing

  • Three key reasons for learning to compose multimodally:

    1. Digital Literacy Skills:

    • Multimodal assignments encourage the development of digital skills beyond reading and writing.

    1. Transfer of Knowledge:

    • Students can leverage their existing knowledge of multimodal communication from personal experiences into academic settings.

    1. Preparation for Workforce Skills:

    • Skills for creating multimodal texts align with modern workplace expectations for versatility and adaptability in communication.

Strategies for Composing a Multimodal Text

Pre-Drafting Strategies

  1. Determine Rhetorical Situation:

    • Consider purpose (message), audience, author relationship, genre, and medium of distribution.

    • Components of Rhetorical Situation:

      • Message: What is the intent? Specificity is crucial for clarity.

      • Audience: Distinguish between intended and unintentional audiences, understanding the discourse community.

      • Author: Consider personal biases and how they affect messaging.

      • Genre: Recognize genre conventions that shape audience expectations.

      • Medium: Identify distribution channels—traditional (radio, print) vs. new (online).

  2. Review and Analyze Other Multimodal Texts:

    • Find examples relevant to your topic and analyze their effectiveness through specific questions about message, audience, genre, and modes used.

  3. Gather Content, Media, and Tools:

    • Conduct research for textual content.

    • Collect visual and aural materials relevant to the multimodal text.

    • Explore openly licensed materials to respect copyright.

Drafting Strategies

  1. Cite and Attribute Information Appropriately:

    • When drafting, consider how to credit sources rhetorically based on the text genre.

  2. Begin Drafting Your Text:

    • Develop an outline, script, or visual representation before finalizing the text.

    • The drafting process includes thoughtful organization, aiming for clarity and coherence.

Concluding Remarks

  • Multimodal composing is a vital skill in modern writing contexts, incorporating various strategies to ensure effective communication.

  • Further Resources:

    • Recommended reading includes:

    • Michael J. Klein and Kristi L. Shackelford’s chapter on document design and formatting in Writing Spaces Volume 2.

    • Arola, Sheppard, and Ball’s textbook on multimodal projects.