Intended Audience or Target Audience SPI Audience - Identify the audience for which a text is written. Introduction When we talk to someone face-to-face, we know just who we are talking to. We automatically adjust our speech to be sure we are communicating our message. When we talk to someone face-to-face, we know just who we are talking to. We automatically adjust our speech to be sure we are communicating our message. Many writers don't make those same adjustments when they write to different audiences, usually because they don't take the time to think about who will be reading what they write. Many writers don't make those same adjustments when they write to different audiences, usually because they don't take the time to think about who will be reading what they write. Intended Audience To be sure that we communicate clearly in writing, we need to adjust our message--how we say things and what information we include--by recognizing that different readers can best understand different messages. To be sure that we communicate clearly in writing, we need to adjust our message--how we say things and what information we include--by recognizing that different readers can best understand different messages. A Definition of Audience An audience is a group of readers who read a particular piece of writing. An audience is a group of readers who read a particular piece of writing. As a writer, you should anticipate the needs or expectations of your audience in order to convey information or argue for a particular claim. As a writer, you should anticipate the needs or expectations of your audience in order to convey information or argue for a particular claim. Your audience might be your instructor, classmates, the president of an organization, the staff of a management company, or any other number of possibilities. Your audience might be your instructor, classmates, the president of an organization, the staff of a management company, or any other number of possibilities. You need to know your audience before you start writing. You need to know your audience before you start writing. Types of Audiences Audiences come in all shapes and sizes. Audiences come in all shapes and sizes. They may be a group of similar people or combinations of different groups of people. They may be a group of similar people or combinations of different groups of people. You'll need to determine who they are in order to analyze your audience. You'll need to determine who they are in order to analyze your audience. Analyzing an Audience Analyze your audience BEFORE you start writing, so you'll know what format, style, vocabulary, or level of information is expected. Analyze your audience BEFORE you start writing, so you'll know what format, style, vocabulary, or level of information is expected. Writers in the advertising business spend a great deal of time researching their targeted audiences. Once they know who their audience is, they can mold their advertising--their words, format, graphics, images--to appeal to that specific audience. Writers in the advertising business spend a great deal of time researching their targeted audiences. Once they know who their audience is, they can mold their advertising--their words, format, graphics, images--to appeal to that specific audience. You can determine the characteristics about your target audience through a demographic profile, or by investigating information or assumptions about your particular audience. You can determine the characteristics about your target audience through a demographic profile, or by investigating information or assumptions about your particular audience. Exercise: Analyzing an Audience With your partner: 1.Determine the likes and dislikes of your selected audience. 2.Decide whether you should use formal or informal language. 3.Generate a list of words you could use to appeal to your particular audience. List of Possible Audiences 1.Farmers 2.College athletes 3.Middle school girls 4.Parents of small children 5.Fishermen 6.BMX enthusiasts 7.Teachers 8.Car salesmen 9.Bankers 10.Clothing store owners 11.Hunters 12.Car mechanics 13.School board members 14.Fair board members 15.Roller coaster enthusiasts 16.Gardeners Writing for an Audience Knowing your audience enables you to select or reject details for that specific audience. Knowing your audience enables you to select or reject details for that specific audience. In addition, different audiences expect different types or formats for texts. For example, mothers getting letters from children don't want to read a laboratory report about the events of the past month. In addition, different audiences expect different types or formats for texts. For example, mothers getting letters from children don't want to read a laboratory report about the events of the past month. Knowing your audience will help you determine how to write, how much information to include, how long to make your text, and how formal or informal your text should be. Knowing your audience will help you determine how to write, how much information to include, how long to make your text, and how formal or informal your text should be. Once you know your audience, you are ready to begin writing. Once you know your audience, you are ready to begin writing. Back to Your Audience Now, choose a TOPIC that will interest your reader. Now, choose a TOPIC that will interest your reader. For example, if your audience is middle school parents, your topic might be keeping your kids involved in extra curricular activities. For example, if your audience is middle school parents, your topic might be keeping your kids involved in extra curricular activities. Choose a Format Once you have determined a TOPIC, choose a format and create your writing. Once you have determined a TOPIC, choose a format and create your writing. For example, if you were writing to middle school parents about extra curricular activities, you might choose to create a brochure that lists the benefits of extra curricular activities and all the sports and clubs available to students at our school. For example, if you were writing to middle school parents about extra curricular activities, you might choose to create a brochure that lists the benefits of extra curricular activities and all the sports and clubs available to students at our school. Some Possible Formats Brochure Brochure Essay Essay Poster Poster Billboard Billboard Chart Chart Advertisement Advertisement Interview Interview Play Play Poem Poem Skit Skit Letter Letter Comic Strip Comic Strip Bulletin Board Bulletin Board Newspaper Story Newspaper Story Radio Announcement Radio Announcement Game Game Collection Collection