Writing With Your Audience in Mind

Summary

In this video, Tony from the UNR Writing and Speaking Center discusses the importance of audience awareness in writing. He emphasizes the need to tailor communication based on the expectations and values of the audience, whether it’s an instructor, a friend, or an academic audience. By understanding how different audiences interpret messages, writers can craft content that avoids misunderstandings. The video also highlights how considering the audience’s perspective can improve the clarity and effectiveness of your writing, using examples like writing for gamers versus academic critics.

Takeaways

• 😀 Audience awareness is crucial when writing, whether it’s an email to an instructor or a text to a friend.
• 😀 We adjust our tone based on the audience's expectations, such as being more formal with instructors and informal with friends.
• 😀 Audience awareness is an automatic skill in social contexts but requires more deliberate thought in writing.
• 😀 Writers often view their audience as passive recipients, but in reality, the audience interprets messages based on their own knowledge, values, and expectations.
• 😀 Meaning is not inherent in a text; it is shaped by both the writer and the audience's interpretation.
• 😀 As a writer, you are responsible for making sure your audience understands your message clearly.
• 😀 Using relatable language and personal connections, such as using 'we' in a video targeted at students, helps build rapport with the audience.
• 😀 Informal language and visual elements, like light-hearted animations, can make complex topics more engaging and relatable.
• 😀 Audience analysis affects how you write—different audiences (e.g., gamers vs. academics) require different approaches and language.
• 😀 For a blog about video games, your audience expects informal, game-specific language and personal opinions, whereas an academic audience requires a more analytical approach.
• 😀 Understanding the audience helps transfer skills learned in school to future writing situations, allowing you to tailor your message to each specific group.

Q & A

Why is audience awareness important in writing?

Audience awareness is important because it helps you communicate your message clearly and effectively, tailoring your writing to match the expectations, knowledge, and values of your readers. It reduces the risk of confusion and ensures your message is received as intended.

How does audience affect the tone and style of writing?

The audience directly influences the tone and style of your writing. For example, when writing to an instructor, a formal tone is often expected, whereas a more informal tone might be appropriate when communicating with friends. The tone and style should align with the audience's expectations and context.

What does the speaker mean by 'speaking to your audience, not at them'?

'Speaking to your audience, not at them' means engaging with your audience in a way that feels like a two-way conversation. It's about being relatable and thoughtful, ensuring your audience feels involved and respected, rather than being passive recipients of information.

What is the primary mistake writers make when considering their audience?

The primary mistake is viewing the audience as passive receivers of information. Instead of actively considering the audience’s perspective and tailoring the message, writers sometimes assume their message will be understood exactly as intended, leading to miscommunication.

How does the speaker use themselves as an example in the video?

The speaker uses themselves as an example by stating that, as a fellow UNR student, they can use informal language and the pronoun 'we' to connect with their audience. This helps to create relatability while avoiding outdated or overly casual language.

What role do visuals play in the speaker’s communication strategy?

Visuals, like the light-hearted animations in the video, serve to complement and enhance the spoken words. They add humor and make a dry topic more engaging, improving the overall effectiveness of the message.

Why is audience analysis crucial when writing a game review?

Audience analysis is crucial because different audiences have different expectations. For example, if writing for gamers, focusing on gameplay and using gamer lingo is appropriate. But if writing for academics, the focus should shift to cultural analysis, which requires avoiding casual gamer language to maintain credibility.

How should a writer approach a review of a video game when writing for an academic audience?

When writing for an academic audience, the writer should focus on analyzing the game as a cultural artifact, discussing aspects like its portrayal of violence or authority figures. The tone should be more formal and analytical, backed by evidence and thoughtful analysis.

What is meant by 'using gamer lingo' in a review?

Using gamer lingo means incorporating specific jargon or terms that are commonly understood within the gaming community. It helps to establish the writer's credibility as part of that community and makes the review relatable for gamers.

What is the key takeaway from understanding your audience in the context of writing?

The key takeaway is that understanding your audience allows you to write in a way that meets their expectations and communicates your ideas effectively. Recognizing your audience as real people with specific needs and perspectives enables you to engage in meaningful conversations through your writing.