The genre of a piece is the
category under which a piece’s characteristics fall and are in conjunction with
similar pieces. A genre provides a reference point “which helps readers to
identify, select and interpret texts.” A piece’s genre is often defined by the
narrative form, basic themes, characterizations, setting, iconography, and
filmic techniques. Either one or more of these textual features can come
together to surface the genre. The creator manipulates these factors in order
to produce the type of genre they want and, as a result, the type of affect the
piece has on the audience. A genre is important because it is a way of passing
on the message to the audience. Depending on the genre, purposes, pleasures,
audiences, modes of involvement, styles of interpretation, and text-reader
relationships, may vary.
Like genre, multimodality is
composed up of minor aspects which come together to create a piece. The aspects
of multimodality are modes, or characteristics, on either a textual or sensory
level, which have significance towards the piece. Everything is multimodal
because not one mode can stand alone. Together, modes help the audience interpret
the meaning the creator is trying to convey. The genre itself can be considered
a mode in, for example, a novel, because it is an aspect which helps pass along
the message of the overall piece. Multimodality is not restricted to text and
can be seen in the media as well. Similarly, genre can be applied to several
forms of art seen in everyday life.
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