Blog Post 6

Multimodality is a theory that relates to the arrangement of words or words and pictures. Multimodality is also attaching different modes and creating one product. Multimodality helps to enhance the understanding of the reader or observer's knowledge on the idea or subject. Modes are, according to Gunther Kress, "socially and culturally shaped resource[s]  for making [a] meaning." or semiotic modes similarly, are shaped by both the intinsic characteristics and potentialities of the medium and by the requirements, histories, and values of societies and their cultures." Gunther Kress's view on multimodality is is the use of temporary and present uses that he exhibits on a website, BBC. Kress describes how the modes, the links to different articles, on the website give different pinpoints on the webpage with the use of pictures and with the arrangement of the words on the page. He question what is writer trying to use to catch the reader's attention, the words or the picture. He also questions which one would carry more information from the two products. Furthermore, he questions the arrangement of the layout and asks would it change with right-to-left instead of left-to-right and so on. Wysocki's view is a slight refute and agreement to Kress's view. He does agree with Kress on communication and trying to figure out what would the writer use more to catch the reader's attention and also the use of current technology and what is enhanced or lost with the use of them. But, Wysocki also bring into question the arrangement of the words themselves by using the example of his title of the work, "awaywithwords", he asks did the reader read it as "a way with words" or "away with words." Wyscoski also brings in the question of uses for things, such as water, and how it is used for good and bad purposes throughout time; which slightly refutes Kress's claim about temporary uses. The two do bring a subtle conflict to each other in their writing but, Wyscoki's does have agreements with Kress.