Understanding Audience and Purpose understanding audience when considering matters of language and choice to achieve your purpose

What would you do if the person you were talking to looked like this?

In oral communication, we have the benefit of immediate feedback from our audience. A smile… A nod… A furrowed brow… We can make adjustments on the fly.

When we speak to people we are constantly assessing their reactions When we speak to people we are constantly assessing their reactions. We can read their non-verbal cues—their facial expressions, body language, and so forth. Sometimes they will even stop us to tell us what they think about what we are saying, or if they don’t understand. This feedback allows us to make adjustments. But how does this work in writing?

It’s easy to lose sight of our audience when writing…

After all, isn’t writing a lone activity After all, isn’t writing a lone activity? Something done in quiet solitude? You know the image—the writer alone in his cabin in the woods where no one else matters. Is this an accurate view of writing? ROMANTIC MYTH

When talking about writing… There’s no right or wrong writing BUT… There is writing that is effective and writing that is not so effective Who decides if your writing is effective? YOUR AUDIENCE

Writing is about making choices… How do you know what choices to make as a writer? Every choice you make as a writer should be based on your absolute understanding of just two things… 1. AUDIENCE 2. PURPOSE But if our audience is NOT sitting in front of us as we write, how can we know them and adjust to their needs?

Audience Analysis As writers, we need to make a deliberate effort to understand our audience We need to do some analysis by asking questions about our audience And then keep the resulting image of who our audience is foremost in our minds as we make our choices Know your audience, know how you want to affect your audience (i.e. know your purpose), and then make choices

PRACTICE: recognizing the target audience

Choose the right audience… Dear Sir, I am sorry to bother you with this, but I just wanted to verify with you an e-mail that I received from Mr. Johnson yesterday afternoon… Your co-worker The CEO Your cousin in Cleveland

Choose the right audience… Mike, Johnson sent this to me yesterday afternoon and I have no idea what he is talking about. Does it make sense to you… Your co-worker The CEO Your cousin in Cleveland

Choose the right audience… Hey man, Wonder if you can help me out. My boss sent this to me yesterday afternoon and I just can’t figure out what he means. What’s your take on it… Your co-worker The CEO Your cousin in Cleveland

PRACTICE: making choices as you write: Guess what PRACTICE: making choices as you write: Guess what? You just WON the LOTTERY! Yes, 5 million dollars – all yours. OMG! Now, write a letter or email telling (your audience) about your good fortune!

Guess the audience… Cousin who borrows money and never pays back your boss best friend A mean co-worker A nice co-worker ex boyfriend/girlfriend favorite teacher neighbor who needs an operation favorite uncle or aunt

If you wish to persuade me, you must think my thoughts, feel my feelings, and speak my words. –MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO