How does a reader read and navigate digital and multimodal texts?

Written text:

• reading is linear in nature
• reader has control over how much is read
• reader must follow the linear structure to get meaning
• choice to keep reading or put down

Visual text: – poster, picture book:

• meaning is made by interpretation of visuals and written text
• not necessarily linear in nature
• different reading paths.
• reader/viewer has a choice as to where they focus their attention on image or written text.

Website or ebook:

• reader or viewer needs to be competent in skimming and scanning. Text often in pieces or snippets
• not necessarily linear in nature.– autonomous navigation
• reader or viewer has the choice and responsibility to navigate to the correct page.
• sound can be an option or standard
• reader or viewer may have to process information from three modes

Film:

• video clip linear in nature, although it may be cut into shorter clips and jump between scenes
• viewer needs to understand conventions and techniques that show progression of time and place
• viewer has choice to stop and start and replay when appropriate.