Multimodality and multiliteracies: analysis of reading activities in a digital environment

ABSTRACT:

This paper discusses multiliteracies - digital, visual, and critical - in multimodal reading activities in English, which are available in websites. This discussion is grounded in theories that discuss multimodality and multiliteracy, such as social semiotics (KRESS; VAN LEEUWEN, 2006), as well as concepts of multiliteracies (STREET, 2012; OLIVEIRA, 2006) and the reading of hypertext (XAVIER, 2005). In an attempt to diagnose a possible congruence between the reading of English language texts and these theories, this study focuses on pedagogical practices identified in instructions, announcements, contents, and types of questions proposed in five online reading activities. Preliminary results show an incongruence between pedagogical practices and the promotion of multiliteracy.

KEYWORDS:
Multimodality; multiliteracies; hypertext