Multimodality

Multimodality is a theory of communication that puts together multiple modes and puts them into one. Movies are an example of this because they are very fast images that are combine with audio to relay a message. Modes are resources for making meaning, they also give us a different way to communicate and makes spoken language a less essential source for communication. All different senses are modes. The way that Kress interprets the idea of Multimodality is that we should layout the different modes based on how informative they are. Which, is interesting because Wysocki actually agrees with Kress view and he even expands upon them further. The only noticable difference between Wysockis' view on multimodality and Kress view is that Wysocki focuses more on space than Kress does.

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“What do you see as the relationship between multimodality and genre?”

Multimodality is the idea that a message can be communicated by means other than just language, and combining multiple modes of communication into one. Multimodality utilizes communication through textual, aural, linguistic, spatial, and visual resource modes. Different modes include newspapers, magazines, social media, news on television, etc.

Genre is a category of literary composition. Literary genres are determined generally by the content of a piece of literature. Types of literary genre include poetry, fiction, and non-fiction.

The relationship between multimodality and genre is that they both are concepts of communicating a message in different ways.

Multimodality

What is Multimodality? How would you define Modes? What is the tension between Kress and Wysocki’s view of multimodality? Pay attention to how the two treat time and space here.

Multimodality is the practice of putting multiple modes together and turning it into one. An example of this would be putting pictures and images together to help describe something. Modes are different ways that we can describe something and produce a message. Using different modes lets us use different ways of communication other than just language. These can include all the different senses, from sight to smell. Kress focuses on the idea that we should layout the different modes based on how informative they are and what their interest level is. Wysocki agrees with Kress's views on multimodality, and expands upon them further. He believes that you should use as many different modes as you want, as long as you are able to convey your message. Wysocki also focuses more on space than Kress does when it comes to multimodality.

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Multimodality in its most basic form is the use of multiple modes together. It is an assumption of communication and social symbolism. Multimodality uses modes such as textual, spatial and visual resources (for a specific reason) to create a specific message.

Modes refer to the conventions, variety and purpose of writing, which one needs to produce a message. Modes allow us to escape from using language for everything. Modes are resources where about we can make meaningful material that is evident. Different modes contribute different elements such as sound, feeling and even smell to keep from making language too general.

According to Kress, modes are used for different kinds of things. He asks which mode is carrying the most informational load. Which mode has been specialised for what kinds of purposes? Modes can be stationary or of moving imagery and come together in a certain way to best exemplify a certain meaning. Modes should also be arranged according to interest, for example which is most informative and/or according to formality. There is a reason for spacing, in agreement with Kress, and must be attended to according to which is most prominent.

Wysocki agrees with Kress on the need to encourage a rhetorical focus in our teachings. Kress’ approach helps people work within disciplines or materials to successfully create and convey a message, but Wysocki stresses or expands this approach. Kress questions what is available when word and imagery is used, as bound reasonably and honourably with time and space. Space between words has developed over time. How we use space on a pages affect how we read and understand.

Wysocki views some of Kress’ statements as incomplete. We need to consider how we use the spaces and not just one time that can be shaped on pages. We need to question how we comprehend the spaces, to use different or more powerful spaces. Wysocki wants to understand all the possibilities- not just what is gained and lost through communication. According to him, we should also think of what might not be expected by a particular audience in a particular context when composing a message.

Da'Vante Phillips

3/3/15

ENC1101





“What do you see as the relationship between multimodality and genre?”

Multimodality is an inter-disciplinary approach that understands communication and representation to be more than about language. Genre is a category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter. Between the two the relationship I see is that both have their own style, multimodal and genre want people to see things with a different approach not just language. Both subjects are relating to more than one branch of knowledge give people a ideology to think outside the box.

“What is Multimodality? How would you define Modes? What is the tension between Kress and Wysocki’s view of multimodality?

Multimodality is using multiple modes to express your opinion and get your ideas out through differents mediums such as news, videos, and other versions of media it gives the opportunity to see things a from a different perspective. I would define modes as being a different outlet to get things out through videos, books,documentaries. It's pretty a different way to communicate different ways to express yourself. The tension between Kress and Wysocki is that keeps believes in using one or more modes to get the point out and to express yourself a lot easier but Wysocki believes that it doesn't matter how many modes you use as long as you use it the right way and that it lines up with the Multimodality. Using different modes is a great way to catch the readers eye. The reader is probably tired of pen and paper and using modes is a way to change the readers mind on things. This gets the reader out of the boring stage and able to interact and see things differently.

Remediation Idea: Ryan McCormick

My Genealogy Essay was an analysis on how the entire Harry Potter series is a remix of the Bible. For my remediation, I do not think a movie or a poster would do the justice in portraying my points made in my essay in a different medium. I think the best way to say the same points in a different medium would be post cards written from Harry and Jesus. I am still unsure whether Harry and Jesus would be writing to one another (of course in a fantasy world) or if they would be writing to other people. Either way, a collection of post cards from each of these characters discussing their life story, their friends, their similarities, etc. I could ring together their post cards to form a flipbook. It would really show the audience the connection between these two works of literature and how they remix one another. The ideal audience for this remediation would be adults (due to the complexity of Harry Potter and the Bible) both younger and older as well as very big Harry Potter fans.