To: Nancy Myers

From: Casandra A. Lindley

Date: April 14, 2021
Subject: APLED 121-Chapter 5 Summary

CHAPTER 5
AUDIENCE RECOGNITION

Audience Recognition

 Knowledge of Subject Matter – Be aware for who you are writing to - high-tech, low-tech, lay
audiences and multiple audiences. High-tech use specific terminology and information that will
be similar to the field you are writing about. Low-tech will be people would do not understand
the field as well and will need examples/comparisons to the subject. Having lay audience will
have not knowledge of the field or very little so writing simply is the best. If you have multiple
reader, then you should use simple terms and break things down.
 Writing for Future Audiences – Writing for future audiences will need as much clearly as
possible, background information and terms defined.

Defining Terms for Audiences

 Defining Terms Parenthetically – parentheses help define terms or simplifies them.

 Defining Your Terms in a Sentence – Show the term, then what it is/ what it means, and then
what it is used for.
 Using Extended Definitions of One or More Paragraphs – If using a paragraph to define terms
then uses examples to explain your definition.
 Using a Glossary – use a glossary to explain more then one term.
 Providing Pop-Ups and Links with Definitions – use pop-up screens for online help.

Audience Personality Traits – Use language that makes since to your audience and that is geared to the
reads.
Biased Language—Issues of Diversity

 Diversity is protected by law.

 Respecting diversity is the right thing to do.
 Diversity is good for business.
 A diverse workforce keeps companies competitive.

Multiculturalism

 The Global Economy – Some language may not mean the same if translated.
  Cross-cultural - Workplace Communication - There will be different cultures within the place
you work, be ware of any cultural offences.
 Avoid Jargon and Idioms – Do not use word/phrases that are known in one place but not in
another.
 Distinguish Between Nouns and Verds – make sure the reader understands the difference
between your nouns and verbs.
 Watch for Cultural Biases/Expectations – Not everything will translate the same to other
centuries (ex. Color, animals, etc.).
 Be Careful When Using Slash Marks – If you need to explain both then write in depth rather
than a slash.
 Avoid Humor and Puns – Be professional in your write because not all people will understand
jokes or puns.
 Realize That Translations May Take More or Less Space – Translations may take up more space
depending on the language.
 Avoid Figurative Language – Figurative language may not mean the same in different countries.
 Be Careful with Numbers, Measurements, Dates, and Times – different counties have different
ways of showing time, measurements, and dates.
 Use Stylized Graphics to Represent people – Try to be a neutral as possible.

Avoiding Biased language

 Ageist Language – Try not to use age.

 Biased Language About People with Disabilities – Try to uplift the words you use.
 Sexist Language – Use a neutral tone when writing.

Audience Involvement

 Personalized tone – Try to personalize what you’re writing to the reader.

 Reader Benefit – Explain why the reader will benefit from what the subject is.

The Writing Process at Work

 Prewriting – Write a list.

 Writing – write email or letter.
 Rewriting – check any errors and check culture errors.