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A compulsory part of every school year assessment for English is a multimodal assessment item. There are 3 key steps to preparing and getting that full mark in a multimodal. But what exactly is a multimodal?
1. Multimodal form (e.g. oral, visual)
NESA defines a multimodal as:
Multimodal texts: A multimodal text uses a combination of two or more communication modes, for example, print, image and spoken text as in film or computer presentations.
NESA incorporates a variety of textual forms in your selection of texts to prepare you for these assignments. Hence, when you go to prepare for your multimodal assignment, it’s important to focus on how each studied text manipulated the form it was in to maximise the effect on the audience. Was this through effective imagery? Or the body language of the actors? Whatever it is, learn from your text and apply it in your assignment! This will demonstrate your textual understanding, as you weave different forms into one assignment.
It is key that you determine what form the multimodal is in too. Most common forms I’ve encountered are:
- Presentations
- Speeches
- Brochures
- Prezzies
It is important to notice that anything in this non-exhaustive list can be combined to make a multimodal, as it is the combination of more than one mode.
2. Practising your people skills
You will have to brush up on some aspect other than writing in these assignments. However, some students don’t realise how critical this point is when preparing. They wait until the last second perfecting their essay, then hastily translates it to a different mode and expect a good score, only to be disappointed.
Multimodal assignments have specific marking criterias that grants marks to students who can demonstrate their proficiency in the other mode. What does this mean?
Visual:
- Good looking presentation, cohesive visually
- Colours are cohesive (font and background colours match by using colour wheel)
- Font is the right size
- Not too crowded, appropriate spacing
- Symbolic images
- A clear tone (Funny? Serious? Contemplative?). Be careful with being funny, as humour is best used in moderation for assignments.
Oral:
- Voice intonation: An extremely important point. So often do I hear students say a speech in the same monotonous tone throughout the whole speech! This is great for lullabies, but not for a class. You will be marked down for not being able to engage the audience this way. Brush up on your public speaking skills by watching youtube videos of great public speakers, and their advice.
- Body language (fluid, moves around, no hands in pockets)
- Proper pausing for dramatic effect
- Rhetorical questions
- Appropriate speed
- Clear enunciation
- Eye contact
- Not reading straight off palm cards
- Shoulders squared and straight, good posture
- Smile!
3. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse! (or draft, draft, draft)
Whatever mode you will be doing your work in, you will need lots of revisions. I aim for at least 3, and incorporate feedback from everyone. For example, for my IRP for English Extension 1 my mum recorded me presenting using her phone. Viewing my presentation allowed me to realise where my emphasis was working, and where it wasn’t. It also pointed out points where I moved too much, or when my eye contact was missing. It gives you a general overview of the cadence and tone of your speech, which your marker will be consciously, or subconsciously, marking you on. The only downside to doing this is that your mum might post your assignment to Facebook! (which my mum did.)
Friends are also a great help, and any patient person will be able to lend a pair of eyes/ears to your multimodal. With many revisions, and a proper strategy, you can come out on top with your multimodal!
Want help with your multimodal? Reach out to Concept - we're always happy to assist you clear that 20/20 speech!
