English Research Memo

Audience and Purpose The purpose of this document is to explain who your audience is and what their needs are.

Primary audience: Who has the power to implement your recommendations? That should be your audience.

Secondary audience: Professor Diane Mooney

Relationship with audience: Who are you in relation to this audience? student? Colleague? Citizen? Other?

Purpose of document: analyze and make recommendations

Audience and purpose statement: What is your purpose for writing this report? How do you want your audience to use your report?

Intended use of document: Recommend solutions to a problem

Information needs: What does your audience already know about your topic? What do they need to know to understand your report? Information needs are what they need to know.

Technical background: This is the technical background of your audience. Are they a layperson, an expert? Have intermediate knowledge? Their background will influence the language you use for the final report (technical? Semitechnical? Other?) and the information required. An expert will not require as deep of an explanation as a layperson might.

Cultural considerations: This means cultural considerations of your audience. Do they want you to be direct? Is there any cultural sensitivity regarding your topic?

Probable questions: What questions will your audience have about your topic?

Probable reaction: How will they react to your recommendations? Resistance, approval? Other?

Audience Preferences about the Document: This is their preferences for the final report

Length and detail: 10 pages minimum; single-spaced.

Format and medium: Formal report; digital.

Tone: Will you be businesslike? Informal? Other? Your tone depends on who your audience is.

Due Date and timing: see calendar for due date of final report

Budget: How much money will you need to write your report? Do you need any supplies? How much is your time worth? I’m not actually going to give you any money

, but in the real world you may need to request a budget for a report.