When analyzing or creating multimedia texts (artifacts that use multiple modes of communication), it’s important to recognize how different modes operate together and which mode dominates in a given medium. For instance, both photographs and films use the visual mode, but they differ in how they convey meaning. Photographs focus on the arrangement of objects in a still image, while films rely on the spatial mode, using the movement of bodies and objects through space to tell a story. While photographs can sometimes emphasize spatial relationships, the visual mode dominates. In contrast, in films, the spatial mode often takes precedence. Understanding which modes dominate within a medium can help you craft stronger claims and choose persuasive evidence for your multimodal arguments.