Response to Megan's Q

Q: Shipka seems to suggest that the final product may not be the most important component in a project but that authorial intent must be taken into account? However, many people might only see the final product and not know the authorial intent. Do you agree with Shipka? Or do you feel that without knowing about the author the audience does not get the entire experience?

A: Jody Shipka makes a valid point that the author's intent/thought process isn't always manifested in the final product. That is why it's important for there to be an analysis and reflection time after attempting to create a project using activity-based multimodal compositions. However, if the author's intent is far removed from the actual representation or model of the project, then the author may need to RETHINK the way he/she presents the piece to the audience. After all, one component of these activity-based multimodal projects is to find a way to COMMUNICATE with the audience members. Thus, the final product should be complex enough to show a thought process that is new and enlightening, but it should also keep the components and combinations that make up the piece simple to follow.