To understand multiliteracies, one must understand a variety of terms. The first term to know is multiliteracy itself. Multiliteracy is the idea that in our modern world, there is no such thing as singular literacy. Just knowing one form of English isn’t enough to make someone literate in the digital age. To be fully literate, one must understand how to communicate visually, digitally, in other languages, in code, etc. Because of this complexity, the term multiliteracy was created to emphasize the various types of literacy needed to be fully literate. Writers need to understand this term because multiliteracy is needed to write in 2020. It is essential for writers to have a wide array of languages in which they can communicate to the audience.

Another term writers must know is pedagogy. According to the New London Group, pedagogy is “a teaching and learning relationship that creates the potential for building learning conditions leading to full and equitable social participation.” Put simply, it is the concept of formulating a method of communication that ensures all parties are involved fully. Though this may not seem relevant to writers, it is. Pedagogy is essential to writers because they need to communicate effectively to a huge audience. Their message needs to be communicated to a broad group and having knowledge of pedagogy makes that goal easier.

Design is also an important term to understand. Traditionally, design is used to mean a plan for something, usually physical or mechanical. In the context of multiliteracy, the definition of deign is broadened. The New London group argues that “any semiotic activity, including using language to produce or consume texts,” should be thought of “as a matter of design.” This definition allows a more complete understanding of writing in the digital age. Writers must understand this term because all they do is design. Whether they are writing for a paper, setting up a website, or making a YouTube video, they are still designing. Having a full understanding of the term allows the writer to think of more traditional writing in a way that is more applicable to the current times.

Lastly, another concept to understand is the lifeworld. The New London Group uses lifeworld to refer to “our personal lives,” and the way in which they are changing. Lifeworlds are our own individual personal lives, including all of their specificities. This term isn’t directly related to writers, but it is still an important word to understand. As communicators, writers need to attempt to understand their audience and the best way to reach them. Using the concept of lifeworlds, writers can think about the personal lives of their audience and use that to communicate more effectively.