Lesson 3: Writing for Your Readers

Point of View

• Lay People

• Executives

• Experts

• Technicians

Helping Readers Through Your Report

• Be directive

• Provide an appropriate context

• Organize around audience reading habits

Five Methods People Read

1. Skimming

2. Scanning

3. Search reading

4. Receptive reading

5. Critical reading

Style

• Plain Language

• Human Interest

• Technical Shorthand

• Qualifications

Graphics

• Use accordingly

• Relate to the document

• Properly labelled

Discourse Communities

A group of individuals who share a set of discourses, understood as basic values and assumptions, and ways of communicating about their goals

International Readers

• Cultural Differences

• Dealing with Cultural Differences