To: Nancy Myers

From: Drake Doran

Date: January 13, 2022

Subject: APLED 121 - Chapter 5 Summary

CHAPTER 5
AUDIENCE RECOGNITION

Audience Recognition

• Knowledge of Subject Matter – High Tech Audience. These people work in your field of
experience. Low Tech Audience. These people are typically people who are your coworkers in
other departments. Lay Audience. These customers and clients who neither work for you nor
have any knowledge about your field of expertise. Multiple Audience. This audience is a mix of
all the other audiences.
• Writing for Future Audiences – Writing background knowledge or clarity and defining terms for
readers in the future. Such as new employees.

Defining Terms for Audiences

• Defining your Terms Parenthetically - Using parentheses to define terms. E.X. - CIA (Cash in
Advance)
• Defining your Terms in a Sentence - If you define a term in a sentence, include the Term, Type,
and Distinguishing Characteristics. E.X. - HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol) is a set of rules for Commented [DD1]: Term
the secure transfer of files, including text, graphics, videos, and sound on the internet. Commented [DD2]: Type
• Using Extended Definitions of One or More Paragraphs - When you need to provide an extended
Commented [DD3]: Distinguishing Characteristics
definition of a paragraph or more, in addition to providing the term, type, and distinguishing
characteristics. Also, consider including procedures and descriptions.
• Using a Glossary - If you have not defined your terms parenthetically, in a sentence or in a
paragraph, use a glossary.
• Providing Pop-Ups and Links with Definitions - Use pop-up screens for online help

Audience Personality Traits

In addition to considering the audience’s level of knowledge, a technical communicator should
determine aspects of an audience’s personality. By considering the audience's personality traits, the
writer can write appropriately.

Biased Language – Issues of Diversity

The diverse community are people of many different interests, levels of knowledge, and backgrounds.
So, understand the issues of diversity and choose language carefully.

Multiculturalism

• The Global Economy - Recognize the importance of a multicultural audience

• Cross–Cultural Workplace Communication - writing and speaking between businesspeople of
two or more different cultures within the same country.

Guidelines for Multicultural Communication

• Define Acronyms and Abbreviations - Achieve effective multicultural communication by

following guidelines. Acronyms and abbreviations cause most readers problems.
• Avoid Jargon and Idioms - Words and phrases that are common expressions in English but that
could be meaningless outside the borders.
• Distinguish between Nouns and Verbs - If your text will be translator, make sure that your
reader can tell whether you’re using the word as a noun or a verb.
• Watch for Cultural Biases/Expectations - Things that mean one thing in the US, mean other
things in other countries.
• Be Careful When Using Slash Marks - Determine what you want to say and say it.
• Avoid Humor and Puns - Humor is not universal, if a joke is funny in the north but not in the
south how could people get it overseas?
• Realize that Transitions May Take More or Less Space - If your writing will be conveyed not on
paper but on dick or on the internet, you must consider software's line-length and screen-length
restrictions.
• Avoid Figurative Language - Say what you mean using precise words.
• Be Careful with Numbers, Measurements, Dates, and Times - If you are using measurements,
you are most likely using American inches, feet, and yards. Most people in the world use metric
systems.
• Use Stylized Graphics to Represent People – Avoid depicting race, skin color, hairstyles, and
even gender. Don’t use photographs or realistic drawings of people. This could offend people
and create a cultural conflict.

Avoid Biased Language

• Ageist Language – Avoid words like “elderly” or “old folks”. Instead use words like “people over
seventy” or “retirees”.
 • Biased Language About People with Disabilities – The word “handicap” typically creates a
negative image. “Disability” is generally preferred. However, anything can be offensive. Avoid
reference to a person’s disability.
• Sexist Language – Avoid sexist language. You don’t need to evaluate a woman’s level of
understanding or position in the chain of command any differently than you do for readers in
general.

Audience Involvement

• Personalized Tone – When you are writing an email, letter, report, or procedure, another person
will read it, so achieve a personalized, collaborative, tone to involve you reader.
• Reader Benefit – Motivate your readers by giving them what they want or need. Show your
audience how they will benefit from your technical communication.

The Writing Process at Work

• Prewriting – Write an outline before starting writing.

• Writing – Write a rough draft cover letter. Send that to a colleague for feedback.
• Rewriting – After receiving the feedback, rewrite with said feedback.