College isn’t the only place where you might have to analyze and produce multimodal texts. You may, for example, encounter public service ads like this one, which combines words and an image to prompt viewers to think about making an emergency plan for themselves and their families. Or you may be part of a community group hosting a fundraising event, for which you’ll have to create eye-catching, compelling flyers to attract both sponsors and participants.
A multimodal public service ad
Knowing how to produce multimodal texts will be an asset as you start to look for a job. In a 2009 document called “Workplace Writing Skills,” educator Christine Polk pointed out that although businesses and organizations rely on efficient and effective communication to profit and thrive, many people struggle to write effectively in the workplace. Job ads—seeking everything from engineering architects to park rangers to grocery store managers—often emphasize the ways in which companies and organizations value candidates who can effectively communicate in multimodal ways. Job candidates today may be expected to produce any of the following:
technical reports that include data or diagrams
planning documents that communicate the rationale for and placement of products in a retail environment
announcements to the public that include text and maps or illustrations
training videos for customers or new employees
Website content to draw in clients or customers
Analyzing and composing multimodal texts in college can give you the practice you need to communicate effectively in civic, personal, or professional situations in the future.
Related topics:
Writing in the disciplines
What does it mean to “read” a text?
What is multimodal composing?
Composing hasn’t changed
Composing has changed
Composing in college
A toolkit for analyzing and composing multimodal texts