understanding the audience

Copyright © 2015 by Nelson Education Ltd.

NETA PowerPoint® Slides to accompany

prepared by

Rhonda DynesMohawk College

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Understanding the Audience,Understanding Yourself

Chapter 1

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How strongly related are these two concepts?

Addressing Your Readers

Before you start writing—an essay, a report, an email message—you must have something to

write about (your subject) and someone to write for (your audience).

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Addressing Your Readers cont’dAsk yourself the following questions:• How old are your readers? Might the readers’

generation change their perceptions?• What is their level of education?• What do they do for a living?• Are your readers busy, or will they be able to give your message a great deal of consideration?• What is their cultural background? Their first language?• Do they have any other specific traits that might affect their perception of what they are reading?

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Consider the following three questions when you are deciding what

information your essay should include:

1. What does my reader know about my subject?2. What is my reader’s attitude toward my subject?3. What are my reader’s needs in regard to my subject?

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Readers’ KnowledgeThe first question will help you choose the kind and amount of information that you should include.

Are you writing for people who know little about your subject or for people with fairly detailed knowledge? Telling readers things they clearly already know can seem demeaning and offensive, but not telling them enough will confuse them.

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Readers’ AttitudesThe second question helps you decide how to approach your subject, especially if it is controversial.

Will your readers be sympathetic to what you have to say? If so, you will aim to reinforce their agreement and will probably state your opinion up front. If, however, you think they may be hostile to what you have to say, you might lessen resistance by providing support for your ideas before revealing your point of view.

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Readers’ NeedsThe third question helps you to decide whether to persuade or inform, to compare or classify, to describe or analyze.

Do you intend to add to or reinforce your audience’s general knowledge, or do you want your readers to apply your information only in specific situations? Does your reader need a push or are you just helping someone make a decision?

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When you are deciding what role would be most appropriate in a particular communication situation, consider

the following three questions:

1. What is my purpose in writing?2. What is my attitude toward my subject?3. What are my readers’ expectations of me in this communication?

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Your Purpose in Writing

The most common purposes of writing are– to inform– to persuade– to entertain

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Your Attitude Toward Your Subject

Thinking about how personal or how objective you wish (or are able) to be in presenting your ideas is an important step. If your views coincide with those of your readers, then a fairly informal approach may be appropriate; if they differ, then an impersonal, objective approach is preferable.

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Your Readers’ Expectations of YouConsider the following three questions when choosing your role:

1. If you write as an authority, will you be credible?

2. If you write as a peer or colleague, will you be effective?

3. What are your readers likely to expect from someone in your position writing to them on this subject?

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Levels of Standard English Writing

Because writers have time to consider what they want to say and how best to say it, they can• choose their words carefully•arrange them in meaningful sentences•organize ideas into logical paragraphs

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Levels of Standard English Writingcont’d

Good writing involves more than knowing what words and sentences mean. It also requires using appropriate language. This means that the actual words you choose will affect readers’ understanding of what you are trying to say.

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Levels of Standard English Writing cont’d

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Levels of Standard English Writing cont’d

Your message, your audience, and your purpose in writing are what should determine the level you choose.

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No one level is “better” than another. Each has its place and uses.

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When you are reading ask yourself:

1. Who is the intended audience?2. What is the writer’s role?3. Why is the level of language appropriate?

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Summary• The relationship between you and your

audience depends on your understanding of their knowledge, attitudes, and needs.

• Your decision about your role as a writer is based on your purpose, attitude, and reader’s expectations.

• The relationship between the two determines the level of language that you use when writing.

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