The characteristics of diagrams in scientific explanations: Multimodal integration of written and visual modes of representation in junior high school textbooks

There is a growing research examining the use of visual diagrams in scientific explanations. However, current this area mostly based on case studies involving few explanations from one or two topics science. are systematic that examine more broadly how used relation to across range texts. The aim study investigate characteristics found Grade 7–10 science textbooks covering many biology, chemistry, earth and space sciences, physics. informed by theories systemic functional linguistics social semiotics applies mixed methods approach textbook analysis. A content analysis was first carried out systematically identify image functions (e.g., narrative, analytical, classificational) all (N = 749) compare their distributions different genres explanation, information, experiment). This followed multimodal discourse understand various combined with linguistic features written text construction Quantitative results reveal explanation characteristically other terms higher usage narrative function, temporal annotated caption. Qualitative further show these typically support reasoning focusing dynamic processes time-bounded sequences. has implications our understanding