5.
Spatial Mode: includes physical arrangement―spacing,
position, organization, proximity, direction, and distance of
elements in a text
Writers use the spatial mode of communication in the physical
layout and organization of a text. For example, the tri-fold
pamphlet, printed and folded on paper, presents information
spatially on six panels. Physical arrangement impacts the way the
audience can interact with your work.
Websites also rely heavily on the spatial mode to communicate
meaning. Writers make strategic rhetorical decisions about how to
arrange digital information in a user-friendly way within a mobile
“space.” Features like menus, headers, physical layout, and
navigation tools (such as links) help the audience to interact with
the site spatially. Websites are considered multi-modal texts since
multiple modes are used in combination to communicate with the
audience.
As the writer, you’ll need to determine which modes could
add value to your work. Be careful not to add modes just because
you think you should. Each mode you use should add meaning to
the text. Consider the opportunities, challenges, and constraints
of any writing task and assess and revise your work to meet the
needs of the audience.
2. Visual Mode: includes images, video, color, visual
layout, design, font, size, formatting, symbols, visual data
(charts, graphs), animation (like gifs)
The visual mode helps writers communicate meaning in a
way that can be seen by the audience. Sometimes people
must see to believe, and visuals can be helpful and even
persuasive. For example, if you want to showcase how
climate change has devastated the arctic ecosystem, you
might include a video that shows real-world footage, like
all the pictures taken by National Geographic. It is
considered a multi-modal text since words, visuals, and
audio are used together for a stronger effect. The visual
mode also includes elements of design and allows writers
a more creative way to present text on a page/screen. For
example, some of the textbook makes use of labels,
headings, color, and other visual features to help the
reader more easily understand the information. This
textbook is considered multi-modal since it combines
multiple modes of communication.
3. Aural Mode: includes spoken words, sound, music,
volume, rhythm, speed of delivery, pitch, tone, voice
Sound catches people’s attention, and writers use the
aural mode to bring their words to life. For example, have
you ever listened to a game on the radio? Listen to the
way the sportscasters help the audience to experience the
game through sound. This sportscast is considered a
multi-modal text since the authors combine words
(linguistic/alphabetic mode) with sound (aural mode).
Another example of the aural mode is an audio book. The
Carriage, by Jena Baxter is a Spoken word that can add
depth and emotion to a story. As you listen, pay attention
to the volume, rhythm, pitch, speed, and tone of the
narrator’s voice. Multi-modality can enhance the
experience of “reading” a text.
4. Gestural Mode: includes movement, speed,
expression, body language, facial expression, physical
proximity, interactions between people
The gestural mode of communication allows writers to
communicate meaning through movement. Traditionally,
this mode was used primarily in face-to-face interaction;
however, modern technology allows writers to show
movement virtually in their work, through video. The
gestural mode is often used in combination with other
modes, such as linguistic/alphabetic (written/spoken),
spatial (physical arrangement), and aural (sound) to
provide an enhanced sensory experience for the
audience.
For example, sign languages use the gestural mode since
position of the sign and movement are significant factors
in generating and distinguishing meaning.
