Discussion Post: Audience Analysis
Starting next week, you will start formally crafting your researched argument. So far, you have done a ton of prewriting for this assignment by conducting enough research on the topic to become a mini-expert and you have written both an annotated bibliography and literature review. Another key task you need to do before starting your writing in earnest is to conduct an audience analysis.
In any type of written communication, you must analyze your audience. You already know the purpose of your researched argument (persuasion); now, you need to analyze your intended audience to best determine how to craft your arguments for this specific audience. Remember; you can't just write to the "general public," "all humans on earth," or some other lazy, catchall category. You need to write to a specific audience who does not necessarily agree with your positions but would be open to listening to your ideas.
Task
Your task is to conduct a basic audience analysis. Answer the following questions about your intended audience:
1) What is your topic?
2) What is your working thesis?
3) What are the demographics of my audience-things like age, gender, profession, education level, socioeconomic status? Some of these may or may not be important for your purpose and audience
4) What does my audience already know about my issue?
5) What kind of language should I use to best suit this audience?
6) What kind of evidence will I need in order to be persuasive to my audience?
7) What adjustments will I need to make in my writing to be persuasive to my audience?
8) How can I balance how I feel about this issue with what my audience will need to read about this issue?
9) What risks am I willing to take with my audience? Am I willing to "push some buttons," or do I want to present an even, formal tone?
The response should include a reference list. One-inch margins, Using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, double-space and APA style of writing and citations.