Critical Multimodal Narrative Analysis: A Conceptual Framework to Explore Positioning in Narrative Through Social Semiotics

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 11
  In Poster Session: Semiotics in Education: Signs, Meanings, and Multimodality SIG Poster Session

Abstract

Recent decades of educational research have seen a tremendous rise in studies of multimodality, but to date, there is little work that directly addresses the conceptual and methodological issues surrounding multimodal narrative analysis. This paper presents a framework for Critical Multimodal Narrative Analysis (CMNA) and articulates a foundation for multimodal narrative analysis derived from Critical Discourse Studies, Multimodality and Social Semiotics, and Positioning Theory. The CMNA framework provides an opportunity for narrative scholars to look beyond thematic analysis of content or linguistic analysis of words or structure to examine multiple modalities (e.g., image, color, sound, gesture, etc.) as part of narrative research with a particular focus on positioning to uncover critical aspects of narratives such as race or power relations.

Author

• Mary B. McVee, University at Buffalo - SUNY