Developing Writers
homeWriting involves choicesHow do we write in the digital age?What is multimodal composition and where do people encounter it?

What is multimodal composition and where do people encounter it?

What is multimodal composition and where do people encounter it?

In our study, we learned that multimodal composition includes image, video, audio, and digital tools. Writers choose among these resources to best convey their meaning to their audience.

What counts as multimodal composition?

Take a look at the objects below. Which of these objects counts as composition? Click all that apply.

Which of these objects counts as composition?

View example

View example

View example

View example

View example

View example

View example

View example

View example

View example

Putting it all together

Abby was skeptical about multimodal composition because it didn’t seem like “real” writing to her. Click to read and listen to Abby’s perspective.

Jenna, on the other hand, learned that multimodal composition provides many options for expressing meaning. Click here to read Jenna’s perspective:

I saw that there were a lot of different ways to say something, if that makes sense. It depends who you’re saying it to and why you’re saying it. I realize you have to think—there are a lot more decisions that go into how you want to convey something…. Like how do you want to—do you want it to be in an essay? Like literally words on a page or do you want to turn it into something with pictures or do you want to put it on a website? All of the things that play into that. If it’s just an essay anyone can read it but then if you put pictures with it you’re influencing people to see a certain thing or if you put it on a website then how do people navigate your website and where is the emphasis? There’s so many decisions that go into that.

 

Even this website is multimodal

As you may have already noticed, this website uses text, image, audio, video, and graphics to attract readers and keep them engaged.

TAKEAWAYS:

Multimodal composition uses multiple resources for expression.

Multimodal composition communicates meaning in ways that text-based writing cannot.

Multimodal composition includes a range of choices, including image, video, audio, and digital tools.

Related Content