These are the basic questions about audience we will return to over and over this semester. After you have written out the answers to these questions, you should revise your piece according to the answers.
1. Did you have an audience in mind when you wrote the piece? Why or why not?
2. Who do you think would be most interested in what you have written? Why? Think about the “why” very carefully. Answering that will help you with Aim.
3. What does my audience probably already know about the subject?
4. What does my audience need to know about the subject?
5. Have I provided sufficient detail to help them?
6. What does my audience probably already think about the subject? Am I trying to change my audience’s mind?
7. What do I want my audience to do as a result of my writing? Change an opinion? Act in some specific way? See something new? (What is the Aim?)
8. Where in the piece does the reader become aware of your aim?