Communicating on Purpose: Audience, Purpose, Context, and Structure

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, audience factors, communication purposes, contexts, registers, hedging, discourse markers, and speech structure.

Audience Analysis

The deliberate process of understanding your audience before making communication choices.

Audience-Centered Communication

Communication that prioritizes the audience's needs.

Knowledge Level

An audience factor considering what the audience already knows, which determines choices in vocabulary, explanation, and examples.

Values & Priorities

An audience factor considering what the audience cares about, which determines choices in examples and points that resonate.

Relationship

An audience factor considering your relationship with the audience, which determines choices in formality and tone.

Expectations

An audience factor considering what conventions govern the situation, which determines choices in appropriate format and behavior.

Inform

A communication purpose aimed at sharing knowledge or facts, prioritizing precision, clarity, and logical organization.

Persuade

A communication purpose aimed at changing beliefs, attitudes, or behavior, prioritizing evidence, structure, and emotional resonance.

Express

A communication purpose aimed at conveying feelings, identity, or perspective, prioritizing voice and authentic perspective.

Connect

A communication purpose aimed at building and maintaining relationships, prioritizing warmth, responsiveness, and relational language.

Context

The setting, time, medium, cultural conventions, and the communicator's history with the audience.

Register

The variety of language appropriate for a given social situation.

Informal Register

Language appropriate for a close friend or casual setting; conversational and personal.

Semi-formal Register

Language appropriate for a classroom discussion; clear, thoughtful, and moderately formal.

Formal Register

Language appropriate for an academic or professional setting; precise, structured, and appropriately formal.

Hedging

A communication technique that helps express an interpretation or claim with appropriate caution and humility, communicating something specific without being vague.

Introduction

The part of communication structure that establishes the topic, orients the audience, establishes credibility, and shows relevance.

Body

The part of communication structure that presents and develops main points in a logical sequence using transitions.

Conclusion

The part of communication structure that synthesizes the message and leaves the audience with something to think about, act on, or remember.

Discourse Markers

Signposts that make the organization and direction of communication visible.