Writing for your Audience

Main ideas and concepts

• Purpose of the guide: Help viewers understand how to write for an audience by answering:

  • What an audience is
  • How to determine your audience
  • How to tailor a paper to your target audience

• What “audience” means in writing:

  • Not just a crowd that gathers at one time.
  • Instead, it’s the set of people who will read your paper over time.

• How to determine your audience:

  • Identify your target reader: the people who would benefit most from reading your paper.
  • Examples given by paper type:
    • Business paper: CEOs or employees
    • Nursing paper: nurses, patients, or hospital administrators
    • Persuasive paper: often called a skeptical reader

• Who the “skeptical reader” is (persuasive writing):

  • A reader who either disagrees with you or is unsure about your topic.
  • Persuasion requires responding to their concerns so they can consider your viewpoint.

Lessons for tailoring your paper (with an example)

• Core method: Ask what your reader needs to know to understand your perspective.

• Persuasive targeting approach (insurance reform example):

  • Scenario: Writing about insurance reform, specifically changing how healthcare claims are accepted or denied.
  • Possible target reader: CEOs of insurance companies, who may be skeptical because they profit from policies the writer opposes.
  • How to tailor the argument:
    • Address ethical reasons for reform (to help the CEO see it from your perspective)
    • Include information showing long-term profit or benefits, such as how more generous policies could improve financial outcomes over time
  • Result/goal:
    • By addressing real-world concerns, you increase the chances that skeptical readers will agree or at least become more open.

Speakers / sources featured

• No specific named speaker is identified in the subtitles.
• Video creator/host is implied by direct instructional narration.
• Music is included as audio, with no separate speaker.