English Composition

English Composition Study Guide determine that the reader has some information already, it is not necessary to go into great detail about that information. If a writer decides that the reader cares more about one aspect of a topic than another, he can emphasize that aspect in the document. Understanding the audience is a skill used throughout life. Assume that in the future you are the head of research and development at a major company. You have created a new product that you need to introduce. You may be assigned to write documents about the new product that will be read by the president of the company, other department heads, and customers. These are three very different audiences with different needs. The same document will not work for all three groups. Audience analysis may give you the following information: Needs to know how to sell product High; interested in how it can help the department meet goals May have no information Needs to know why they should buy the product May be low; needs to know how the product benefits them Might not want to spend money After completing a similar analysis of your audience, you may write three different documents. The customer may need a persuasive essay. The president of the company may need an argument about why the company should take a chance on this product. The department head may need an expository document explaining the effects of the product launch. These documents would then focus on answering the concerns of that specific audience and give the audience the information it requires. You should understand that if you gave this task to 100 different writers, you would get 100 different responses. When writing for college assignments, writers assume a general audience or a common reader. The general audience is interested in a wide range of topics. It is assumed that the common reader is interested in the topic, as well as open-minded and curious. The audience will respond to efforts to inform and persuade. It is interested in informed opinions on many subjects. Might want to promote other products Customer Knowledge Knows company, similar products, but needs to know features and how this product is different Knows company, similar products, but needs to know features and how this product is different Level of Detail Needs to know why they should support this product Interest High; interested in how it will benefit company Might want to take risk involved in new product Values Company President Department Head

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