technicial writing - Audience Analysis- 5 paragraph only!!!

General Typology

of the Document

1. What type of document is it? E.g. marketing (persuade), procedural (instruct), referential (inform), conceptual (provide background and theory).

2. Communication medium: print, electronic, online, video, audio

3. What type of technical genre is the document? (article/report/brochure/newsletter/ correspondence/manual/booklet/website)

4. What is the specific purpose of this document? What is the intended effect on the audience (perform a task, win support, change behavior, etc.)?

Document Design

1. Does the document layout comprehensively organize the space? Does the document have accessible design? (E.g. spacing, colored or patterned backgrounds, highlighting techniques, bulleted lists, and graphics).

2. Does the grid structure provide a consistent visual theme and visual appeal? How effective are the visuals used to support the information? Is there any information that could be further clarified by visuals?

3. Does the document include font changes, different level headings, italics and boldface to help the reader navigate information? Is the phrasing of headings consistent with the document’s purpose?

Text Analysis

1. What are the general characteristics of the document style (formal, semi-formal, informal)? Is the language persuasive or descriptive?

2. What is the general tone (businesslike, friendly, personal, distanced, humorous, serious, etc.)? Is the tone consistent with the situation and the audience?

3. What is the organizational structure (narrative, cause-effect, sequential, modular)?

4. Is the writing concise (limiting word, sentence, and paragraph length)? Is the document free of sentence openers, redundancy, overstatement, or needless repetition? What are the specific peculiarities of vocabulary, grammar and syntax (provide examples!!!!)?

5. Is the wording simple, unambiguous, and free of jargon? Have abbreviations and high-tech words been clarified?

6. Is the document accurate according to English language conventions?

Audience Profile

1. Is the target audience homogeneous or heterogeneous?

2. What is the primary/secondary audience?

3. Demographics (age, gender, educational and cultural background, socio-economic status).

4. Knowledge and experience (general or professional), the literacy level.

5. Dispositions: attitudes towards the topic (skeptical, indifferent, receptive, hostile, etc.), values and motives, and expected level of interest. What will motivate the readers? What biases or preconceived ideas might readers have about the topic (cost, time, etc.)?

Audience Needs

1. Does the document present arguments and use the right evidence at the appropriate level? Are the language complexity and the level of formality customized for the target audience?

2. Does the document achieve audience recognition presenting essential and peripheral information?

3. Are the needs of international audience recognized? Does the document display sensitivity to cultural differences? Is the wording choice ethically and legally acceptable?

4. What information is excessive, confusing or misleading? Are there any gaps in the information? What questions may still remain?

5. What additional information would the readers benefit from?