Media & communicationLesson 1 of 3 in the course Multimodal and Online Writing: Creative Interaction between Text and Image

Genre, Modes, and Audience in Multimodal Composition

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Multimodal composition combines different ways of communicating to create meaning for a particular audience and purpose. This lesson introduces genre conventions, the meaning of “text” in multimodal communication, and the modes writers can use.

A genre is a type of composition with recognizable features, a style or format, and a purpose. A documentary, a poem, and a romantic comedy are different genres because each tends to follow different conventions and audience expectations.

All flashcards

Genre
A type of composition with recognizable features, a style or format, and a purpose.
Genre conventions
Standard practices and features associated with a genre that help shape audience expectations.
Five modes of communication
Linguistic, visual, audio, spatial, and gestural modes; each can contribute meaning to a composition.
Text in multimodal communication
A complete piece of communication that may combine words, images, sound, spatial organization, and movement.
Rhetorical situation
The audience, purpose, and medium that writers consider when planning communication.

Quiz questions

  1. Which description best defines a genre?Answer: A composition type with recognizable features, format, and purpose.
  2. In multimodal communication, what can the term “text” describe?Answer: A complete message that may combine words, images, sound, and movement.
  3. Which mode communicates meaning through spacing, alignment, and element placement?Answer: The spatial mode.
  4. In a video, a speaker's facial expression communicates urgency. Which mode is most directly involved?Answer: The gestural mode.
  5. Why should writers consider audience, purpose, and medium when composing multimodal communication?Answer: These factors guide choices about modes and how to communicate effectively.

Based on Writing Guide with Handbook by Michelle Bachelor Robinson, Maria Jerskey, featuring Toby Fulwiler (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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