AN INTRO TO

MULTIMODAL TEXTS
Writer/Designer: A guide to Making MultiModal Projects (Chapter 1)
 WHAT ARE MULTIMODAL TEXTS?
• Text=a piece of communication (not necessarily written)
• Multiple+mode
• Mode=way of communicating (words, images, sounds, video, etc.)
• Examples: memes (yes, seriously); dissertations; live performances; websites;
Youtube videos
 ARE ALL MULTIMODAL TEXTS
DIGITAL?
• Most texts today are created digitally but a text doesn’t have to be digital to
be multimodal

• Examples of non-digital multimodal texts: resumes, theses/dissertations,

poster presentations
• A text with any combination of words, photos, colors, layout, etc. is
considered a multimodal text regardless of whether or not it is digital
 There are 5 modes that make up
multimodal texts:
1. Visual
2. Linguistic
3. Spatial
4. Gestural
5. Aural
 VISUAL MODE
• Use of images and other characteristics
readers see

• -color

• -layout

• -style

• -size

• -perspective
 LINGUISTIC MODE
• The use of language: written or spoken word
• Word choice
• the delivery of spoken or written text
• the organization of writing or speech into phrases, sentences, paragraphs, etc.
• the development and coherence of individual words and ideas

Note: this what we typically deal with when looking at a traditional essay
 SPATIAL MODE
• Physical arrangement
• organization
• proximity between
people or objects

Note: this text

incorporates the visual,
linguistic and spatial
modes.
 GESTURAL MODE
• The way movement, such a body language, can make meaning

• Facial expressions
• Hand gestures
• Body language
• Interaction between people

Note: you would observe this mode in texts such as live performances or speeches
 AURAL MODE

• Focuses on sound
• Includes music, sound effects, ambient noise/sounds,
silence, tone of voice, volume, emphasis and accent
• Sound can signal information including feelings, responses,
or needed actions
 PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
• What modes are represented here?
WHAT ABOUT HERE?
 What about this one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZkIsKl0Apk
 MULTIMODAL TUTORING
• Familiarize yourself with different media platforms (Photoshop, Word,
Powerpoint, Youtube, Twitter, etc.)

• don’t be afraid to learn with your tutee! It’s okay to spend a session using
the google machine together

• Check out internet resources such as Lynda.com, a website with many,

many helpful tutorials.
 IT’S NOT AS DIFFERENT AS YOU
MIGHT THINK!
• When working with multimodal texts, you are still looking
for…

e s i s Audien
Th Support c e
Co
Purpose nte
Genre xt
Using these concepts, create a multimodal piece that
explains something about the writing process. Be
creative!
Examples:
Thesis
Writing a Conclusion
Outlining