Written Communication Oct 2008

Challenges of Multimedia Self-Presentation

Mark Evan Nelson National Institute of Education ; Glynda A. Hull ; Jeeva Roche-Smith University of California, Berkeley

Abstract

One privilege enjoyed by new-media authors is the opportunity to realize representations of Self that are rich textual worlds in themselves and also to engage the wider world, with a voice, a smile, imagery, and sound. Still, closer investigation of multimedia composition practices reveals levels of complexity with which the verbal virtuoso is unconcerned. This article argues that while technology-afforded multimedia tools make it comparatively easy to author a vivid text, it is a multiplicatively more complicated matter to vividly realize and publicize an authorial intention. Based on analysis of the digital story creation process of a youth named “Steven,” the authors attempt to demonstrate the operation of two forces upon which the successful multimodal realization of the author's intention may hinge: “fixity” and “fluidity.” The authors show how, within the process of digital self-representation, these forces can intersect to influence multimodal meaning making, and an author's life, in consequential ways.

Journal
Written Communication
Published
2008-10-01
DOI
10.1177/0741088308322552
Open Access
Closed
Topics
writing across the curriculum multimodality voice and style

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (10)

  1. Cun (2023)
    Writing Storybooks as Storytelling: A Case Study of Two Families with Refugee B…
    Written Communication
  2. Stewart (2023)
    Using digital media in the classroom as writing platforms for multimodal author…
    Computers and Composition
  3. Kim et al. (2021)
    Playful Practices: Reimagining Literacy Teacher Education through Game-Based Cu…
    Research in the Teaching of English
  4. Skains (2017)
    The Adaptive Process of Multimodal Composition: How Developing Tacit Knowledge …
    Computers and Composition
  5. Oddo (2013)
    Discourse-Based Methods Across Texts and Semiotic Modes
    Written Communication
Show all 10 →
  1. Anderson (2013)
    Contrasting Systemic Functional Linguistic and Situated Literacies Approaches t…
    Written Communication
  2. Shanahan (2013)
    Composing “Kid-Friendly” Multimodal Text
    Written Communication
  3. Yang (2012)
    Multimodal Composing in Digital Storytelling
    Computers and Composition
  4. Turnley (2011)
    Towards a Mediological Method: A Framework for Critically Engaging Dimensions o…
    Computers and Composition
  5. Gilje (2010)
    Multimodal Redesign in Filmmaking Practices: An Inquiry of Young Filmmakers’ De…
    Written Communication

Cites in this index (2)

  1. Hull et al. (2005)
    Locating the Semiotic Power of Multimodality
    Written Communication
  2. Kress (2005)
    Gains and losses: New forms of texts, knowledge, and learning
    Computers and Composition
Also cites 8 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.4324/9780203164754
     ↗
  2. 10.1177/147035720200100303
     ↗
  3. Linde, C. (1993)
    Life stories: The creation of coherence
     ↗
  4. 10.7208/chicago/9780226245904.001.0001
     ↗
  5. 10.4324/9780203379493
     ↗
  6. 10.1146/annurev.anthro.25.1.19
     ↗
  7. 10.4324/9780203935804
     ↗
  8. 10.1007/978-1-349-27700-1
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 55 View in citation network →

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