College Composition / Unit 1 CMP 0005 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Analyzing an Audience
The idea
Analyzing an audience means asking specific questions about the readers before deciding content, tone and language.
In practice
Ask the questions in order. First, how much does the audience already know about the topic? That decides how much background to give, so you neither bore experts nor lose newcomers. Second, what is their view: do they largely agree, or are they skeptical? A skeptical reader needs more evidence and a fairer account of other views. Third, how do you relate to them: do you share their culture and assumptions, or are you presenting something unfamiliar? Fourth, what will they expect from this kind of text? The answers shape the message, the tone and the structure.
Where people slip
Audience analysis is not guessing at what readers want to hear. It is deciding what they need in order to understand and weigh your point, which sometimes means telling them something they did not want to hear.
Your place on the trail
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