Everything you write has a purpose. You want your reader to know what that purpose is, what to believe, or to take action after reading what you wrote. Determining your purpose is the first step in preparing to write because purpose gives your readers direction. The more precise your primary purpose is stated, the more successful your writing will be. Here are twelve questions you should ask yourself before writing for your reader:
1. Who is your audience?
2. Do you have more than one audience?
3. What do you want your audience to know, to believe in, or to be able to do after reading your writing?
4. Have you narrowed your topic to best focus on what you want your audience to know?
5. What are you audience’s needs in relation to the subject?
6. What does your audience know about the subject?
7. If there are multiple audiences, are there different levels of knowledge on the subject/topic?
8. How does your audience feel about your subject- sympathetic? Hostile? Neutral?
9. Does your writing acknowledge other or contrary points of view about the subject?
10. Have you selected the right medium, such as e-mail, memo, book letter, etc, for your subject and audience?
11. Is your tone respectful?
12. Does your format enhance the audience’s understanding of the topic?
Once you have answered all of these questions, you will have a better understanding of what should and should not be included in your document.
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