This book refers to texts that include more than one way of presenting an idea as multimodal. Multimodal texts are those that draw on multiple (multi) modes of conveying information, including any combination of words, numbers, images, graphics, animations, transitions, sounds (voice and music), and more.

When ancient orators, or public speakers, tried to persuade audiences, they did so orally with the words they spoke and their tone of voice—but they also did so with another mode, their physical gestures. Speakers throughout history have communicated their meaning by combining modes, or ways of presenting their message. The best, most convincing speakers know that a gesture combined with a word can be powerful—and when the word is spoken in a particular tone, it can be even more so. Clasped, raised hands can convey pleading or imploring, for instance, while a clenched fist often conveys might and strength.

This is multimodal composing.

Think back to a high school earth science class, where you may have been studying earthquakes and plate tectonics. You may have had to compose a project that called for diagrams to represent the different types of plate movements within the earth’s crust; a report on the specific physical features of a recent earthquake—Indonesia (2007), Haiti (2010), Japan (2011), or Chile (2014); and a brief slide show presentation of cause-and-effect findings to the class.

This is multimodal composing.

Using multiple modes causes us to rethink terminology. You may be accustomed to referring to those who compose texts as authors or writers. You may also use the term writing to describe most acts of communicating ideas. This book will describe communicating ideas as composing, which literally means “to produce something by putting together.” And this book will refer to those who compose multimodal texts as composers.

Composers of texts may combine modes, and in some ways this makes their work more complicated. Composers consider a number of options for sending a message, sharing an idea, posing an argument, teaching other people how to do something, and so forth. In other ways, combining modes makes composers’ work more exciting and effective. They can send, share, teach, and explain using the most effective combination of modes for their message.