Multimodal Response 4: Contending with the Bag of Snakes

In the first unit, we spent time on each mode: linguistic, visual, aural, gestural and spacial. We took a closer look at each in turn, considering how words shape meaning, how color evokes emotion, how sound performs a social function, how gestures direct attention, and how environment shapes experiences. Throughout this unit, we've also discussed how it is difficult--and sometimes impossible--to separate modes from one another. A film, for instance, doesn't just boil down to a list of sounds, dialogue, pictures, and movement: a film is ultimately how all of those elements come together seamlessly to shape a story. Think of the last time you were watching a movie, for instance, where the background music didn't fit what the characters were doing--it can immediately take you out of the experience, even if you're interested in the characters.

For this response, consider how you will contend with all of these modes for your first major project. First, discuss the strategies you found helpful (or unhelpful) in DePalma and Alexander's article. Which of the challenges that the authors discovered do you think you'll run into, and how will you approach them? What did you think about how the authors discussed students' experiences? What resonated (or didn't resonate) with your own experience (or expected experience) with multimodal composing?

Finally, end your response with a description of your current plans for the project, attending to the modes as you do so. The detailed the better, as I'll provide feedback and suggestions for where you might go from here. It's perfectly fine (and expected!) if your plans end up changing as you go. You're welcome to draw on other forms of communication such as drawings and audio, but a text-based blog post will also work for this response.

Response due September 24 at 9:30am. Upload to your individual website.