Communication in the Digital Age

Understanding and Evaluating Multimodal Texts

Multimodal text is a text that utilizes
more than one meaning-making system
of communication.

Thoughts and feelings are conveyed and

shared using a combination of the
linguistic, visual, audio, gestural and
spatial systems.
It includes picture books, text books, graphic
novels, comics, and posters, where meaning is
conveyed to the reader through varying
combinations of visual (still image) written
language, and spatial modes. ... Each mode uses
unique semiotic resources to create meaning
(Kress, 2010).
Linguistic system- consists of spoken and written
language through the use of vocabulary, generic structure
and grammar.

,
Visual system includes color, saliency, page layouts,
viewpoints, screen formats, subject distance and angle
and camera movement among others in still and moving
images.
Audio system concerns volume, pitch and rhythm of
music, sound effects, noise and silence.
Gestural system comprises body language such as
movements of hands and eyes, facial expressions,
and use of rhythm, speed, stillness and angles.

Movement, speed and stillness in facial

expression and body language and posture
Clothing, hairstyle, makeup, body size of
characters
Representation of action or reaction
Spatial system concerns the use of distance,
direction, layout and position and organization
of objects in space.
Close up
Shadow
Social Distance
Framing
Placement
Zoom
Subject movement
Multimodal does not necessarily mean
digital

A multimodal text can be paper such as books,

brochures and posters;
digital such as e-books, e-posters,blogs, web pages,
movies and video games;
Live such as a ballet performance or a concert;
Transmedia where the story is told using ‘multiple
delivery channels’
Do it Yourself: Write your two-sentences impression of
the poster shown below:
Assignment:

 Browse and read about creating Multimodal texts

 Also get ready with brainstorming about Communication Aids and Strategies using
Tools of Technology

 References:
 https://sites.google.com/site/aismultimodaltext/1-what-is-multimodal-text
 Caudilla and Cansancio. (2019) Purposive Communication.Books Atbp Publishing
Corp.