1. Considering the Audience
Academic Voice
Considering the Audience

2. Who is the audience?
Whenever you communicate (speaking, writing, etc.), you will have an audience. Your audience could be any person or persons, but no matter who they are, your audience will have specific needs and expectations.

3. What does the audience need or expect?
The audience needs to understand your communication and be able to use it. The audience expects (wants) to get the necessary information as directly as possible. The audience also wants to feel respected, understood, and specifically addressed.

4. Giving Directions to El Camino
Head down Crenshaw to where that comic book store is. You know the one, right? It’s right across the street from that.
Take the 110 South at Century, then get off, like, on West Redondo and make a right. Then, turn sorta Right on Crenshaw. I hate that last turn. It sucks.
16007 Crenshaw Blvd
Torrance, CA 90506
Catch the 6 on Del Amo and 190 towards the Mall. Get off on 190 and Crenshaw. Then, take the 10 to Crenshaw Station. Get off at Crenshaw 166 and Cherry.

5. Your audience in a college class is usually your professor. So…
Avoid overly conversational words and phrases: “If you know what I mean” “Well,” “Basically,” “If you ask me” “Anyways,” Avoid clichés: “Since the beginning of time,” “What goes around comes around,” “In this day and age,” “Easier said than done,” “Too little too late,” “to make a long story short,”

6. Don’t hide your important information in unnecessary words or phrases: “This song sounds like it has a piano in it, which is a really cool instrument, and that is what plays the melody, like a cool sound.” “Certain of songs that are played have a mostly negative, bad message, like “Big Poppa,” by Notorious B.I.G. who is also called “Biggie” by some people that listen to him.”

7. Telling someone that they’re drink is poisoned
Telling someone that they’re drink is poisoned. Showing someone how to change a tire. Explaining why your are not guilty of murder.