Weekly assignment 7
Read the assigned pages from Ellestrom’s chapter. After careful reading answer the following
questions. Bring your answers to class in print and submit them in PeerGrade prior to class.
Question 1: With reference to Kattenbelt’s slide from lecture 1 ‘What can you do with theories and
concepts’ describe what you think Ellestrom is doing/trying to do with his model of the different
modalities of media? [max 250 words]
One thing that Ellestrom is doing with his theory as it is mentioned in Kattenbelt’s slide is making
distinctions between the modalities of the media – the material modality, the sensorial, the
spatiotemporal and the semiotic modality. Secondly, he systematically relates things to one another,
e.g. draws differences between these modalities and compares them. He makes observations,
therefore develops arguments and makes definitions of different elements.
Question 2: With reference to Ellestrom’s text, but in your own words, define and explain the four
modalities distinguished by Ellestrom: the material, the sensorial, the spatiotemporal and the
semiotic modality. NOTE [max 400 words]
First of the modalities, the material one, is the physical element of the media. The view of the
physical objects, the touch and the sound. According to Ellestrom, it is not always possible to clearly
distinct separate elements of this modality, however, there are three main key points – human
bodies, other material objects such as flat surfaces or 3D objects, and the so called material
manifestations, which include sound waves and light – the spectator can see them, but they are
unable to be grasped.
Secondly, there is the sensorial modality. This is the modality of perceiving the media. According to
Ellestrom, there are three levels of it. First level is the sense data, which is the exterior noticing of
the media and the observation of it. Then there is the second level which is based on the spectator’s
receptors, meaning the physical and biological transferring of exterior stimulants into our nerve
system. And then the last level is the sensation level, which is the way the spectator actually
experiences the perceived media. It involves memory, associations, creativity and many other kinds
of qualities.
Read the assigned pages from Ellestrom’s chapter. After careful reading answer the following
questions. Bring your answers to class in print and submit them in PeerGrade prior to class.
Question 1: With reference to Kattenbelt’s slide from lecture 1 ‘What can you do with theories and
concepts’ describe what you think Ellestrom is doing/trying to do with his model of the different
modalities of media? [max 250 words]
One thing that Ellestrom is doing with his theory as it is mentioned in Kattenbelt’s slide is making
distinctions between the modalities of the media – the material modality, the sensorial, the
spatiotemporal and the semiotic modality. Secondly, he systematically relates things to one another,
e.g. draws differences between these modalities and compares them. He makes observations,
therefore develops arguments and makes definitions of different elements.
Question 2: With reference to Ellestrom’s text, but in your own words, define and explain the four
modalities distinguished by Ellestrom: the material, the sensorial, the spatiotemporal and the
semiotic modality. NOTE [max 400 words]
First of the modalities, the material one, is the physical element of the media. The view of the
physical objects, the touch and the sound. According to Ellestrom, it is not always possible to clearly
distinct separate elements of this modality, however, there are three main key points – human
bodies, other material objects such as flat surfaces or 3D objects, and the so called material
manifestations, which include sound waves and light – the spectator can see them, but they are
unable to be grasped.
Secondly, there is the sensorial modality. This is the modality of perceiving the media. According to
Ellestrom, there are three levels of it. First level is the sense data, which is the exterior noticing of
the media and the observation of it. Then there is the second level which is based on the spectator’s
receptors, meaning the physical and biological transferring of exterior stimulants into our nerve
system. And then the last level is the sensation level, which is the way the spectator actually
experiences the perceived media. It involves memory, associations, creativity and many other kinds
of qualities.
