Unit 7 Assignment 2: Reading Guide Part 1: Writing for an Audience

1. How, according to Flower, does a competent writer achieve the goal of closing the gap between himself or herself and the reader? How does a writer determine what a reader’s “personal or professional needs” (2) are?

2. What, for Flower, is the difference between knowledge and attitude? Why is it important for writers to understand this difference?

3. In paragraph 4, Flower discusses the fact that many words have both positive and negative associations. How do you think words come to have associations? Consider, for example, such words as home, anger, royalty, welfare, politician, and strawberry shortcake.

4. What does Flower believe constitutes a “good college paper” (9)? Do you agree with her assessment? Why or why not?

You may access the reading either using the link above or by clicking this link: "Writing for an Audience" by Linda Flower. Please use the word doc attached here to answer the questions and submit as your Dialectic Log, section 1.