5 Professional Modes

Detailed Breakdown of Each Mode

Linguistic

Anything having to do with language or words is the linguistic mode.

• Accessibility: Most audiences use written and spoken words, but remember that the linguistic mode also includes Braille, American Sign Language, Morse Code, and other means of conveying words.

• Academic Genres: In modern society, text holds a privileged place.  When someone uses words that follow academic norms of grammar and syntax, that individual is often often perceived as being "more intelligent."  This is not always the case.

• AI Large Language Models: Because words offer an extremely efficient compression of concepts, it is relatively easy to sort them with AI systems.  AI is able to produce very large quantities of words that sound extremely plausible based on the inputs, but this process of pattern recognition does not operate in the same way as as human thought.

• WCAG 2.1 Compliance: any text used in teaching must be screen reader accessible.  Use headings to divide up materials into sections for easy navigation.

Visual

If you can see it with your eyes, it's visual.

• Examples: Photos and videos are the most commonly used visual genres, but sculpture, architecture, and even the design of a car can communicate messages visually. 

• Crossover with Other Modes: remember that text and gestures are also visual.  The choice of font or the colors you wear can influence how well people perceive your words and gestures.

• Presentation Tips: aim for large visuals with high contrast to ensure all audiences are able to perceive your information.

• WCAG 2.1 Compliance: any images used on teaching websites must include alt text descriptions of the image, and the alt text must include any words that are imbedded in that image.

Aural

Anything you can hear is the aural mode.

• Note the spelling!  It's pronounced like oral with an "O", but aural with an "AU" refers specifically to what is heard rather than only what is spoken.

• Examples: The aural mode includes music, uttered words, sound effects, and anything else that can be heard.

• Presentation Tips: focus on keeping your voice loud enough for others to hear, and then enunciate each word.  It often helps to slow your speaking pace to ensure that everyone can hear you.

• WCAG 2.1 Compliance: If you use videos in teaching, then your videos must include captions of all dialogue and textual descriptions of any sounds.  If you have audio materials such as a podcast, also include a written transcript.

Gestural

Anything involving movement of the body is gestural.

• In-Person Examples: Hand signals, facial expressions, and the position of the body are all part of the gestural mode.  Note that a lack of movement or a "poker face" expression can also be used to either convey or conceal information.

• Art and Media Examples: Actors use the gestural mode onscreen, cartoons often exaggerate expressions for comic effect, and a sculpture will have a specific posture.  All of these communicate through the gestural mode, whether exhibited by a living person or an artistic creation.

• Audience Focus: Our brains are hardwired to prioritize any information that is accompanied by gestures, and so the gestural mode is a key part of successful in-person presentations.

• Crossover: Although the gestural mode is primarily visual, it can also cross into the linguistic when using sign language.

Spatial

This mode brings it all together.  The spatial mode considers how the placement of other modes in relation to each other helps produce the overall message.

• All About Crossover: the spatial mode is specifically about how all the other modes operate synergistically.

• WCAG 2.1 Compliance: To support accessibility for the visually and hearing impaired, one mode might be used to provide all the information that's been embedded in another mode.  For example, sign language uses the visual mode to replace the aural mode of spoken language, while alt text with a screen reader using the aural mode to replace the visual mode.  Although perfect alignment may be impossible, it's important that all audiences have access to the message as it's conveyed across all modes.