Summary

In the first chapter labelled “What Are Multimodal Projects” the author first explains that multimodal projects are works that incorporate different modes of communication in order to captivate and influence the reader. Modes, or way the different forms of communication, include linguistic, aural, spatial and gestural. The main idea behind the first chapter is that all texts include these modes in appropriate manners that allow them to be influential.

The second chapter is about analyzing multimodal projects. Here the author’s focuses on the five design concepts, or the elements that make a piece of text successful. These elements include emphasis, contrast, organization, alignment and proximity. Emphasis in text refers to putting extra amounts of time and resources in on topic in you writing, which should be your principle. Contrasts works hand in hand to your main point since it is always important to acknowledge opposing points to your principle in order to be credible. Organization refers to the way different sections in writing are formed around each other, organization helps readers by following a logical order. Similar to organization is alignment which controls how the reader will move around the page when reader, an example would be how images and body paragraphs “line up.” Lastly proximity refers to spacing between elements in a piece of writing, this has a similar function to alignments.

Response:

This reading had many important points and suggestions for its readers. It lets the reader/potential writer know of the particular nuances of writing. These little things that the writer points out not only gives the reader a frame to work with but also knowledge about how the details surrounding the area on the page can be used to be more effective such as proximity. Writers should be able to apply the information given to improve their writing since the details are mapped out clearly

Reflection

The most important information i took away from this reader was the design concepts that the author lists. I particularly found the organization section helpful since this is an area I struggle with consistently when writing.