Audience Analysis

Step by Step

• Identify characteristics of the audience. If there is more than one audience, you can write sections specifically pertaining to the corresponding audiences, or write in one particular fashion that applies across the board. Similarly, if there is a wide variability in the audience, cater to the majority. References to other sources with alternative information may need to be included to aid the minority of the readers.
• Determine audience's educational and professional background, reading level and primary language. Demographic characteristics of the audience can help determine the style and content of a document. Age groups, areas of residence, gender, and political preferences for example, are some of the characteristics to focus on.
• Define the audience as primarily novice, advanced or expert. Take into consideration that it may represent mixed levels of expertise. Defining this characteristic will aid the writer in determining what information is already understood and what information needs to be included.
• Ask what the audience is expecting, as well as what the audience's needs are with respect to your topic.
• Consider the environment that is most likely to surrounding the audience while getting in touch with the service or tool you are providing. ^[2]

Audience Analysis Model

Job Aids