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What is multimodal composing?

Texts that include more than one way of presenting an idea are known as multimodal. They draw on multiple (multi) modes of conveying information, including words, numbers, images, graphics, animations, transitions, sounds (voice and music), and more.

Words equals monomodal text. Words plus something else equals multimodal text.

Speakers throughout history have communicated their meaning by combining modes, or ways of presenting their message. When ancient orators (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. 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.

Words plus gestures equals multimodal text.

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), Chile (2010), Haiti (2010), or Japan (2011); and a brief slide show presentation of cause-and-effect findings to the class.

Words plus images plus speech equals multimodal text.

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. Here we describe communicating ideas as composing, which literally means “to produce something by putting together.” And we 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 have more 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 in ways that include words and other elements.