This article explores how the English language contributes to cross-boundary communication failure and establishes that there is an "English language problem" that has not been adequately addressed in preparing United States native English-speaking students for international technical communication tasks. For example, U.S. technical communication…

Suggests assigning students a spontaneous "how-to" paper the first day of class to clarify the need for audience and purpose considerations. (HTH)

Argues that technical writing instructors teaching audience awareness should introduce students to a variety of pedagogical strategies. Describes four common strategies for teaching audience awareness, ranging from instructions to "consider your audience" to real rhetorical situations. (MM)

Outlines five steps to simplify business writing: (1) identify the kind of communication required; (2) analyze the audience; (3) understand the function of the communication; (4) choose the best organizational pattern; and (5) use the most efficient input medium. Claims that business writing can be easy and enjoyable if students follow these…

In order for students to write for a general audience, they must be able to address unknown readers. Research into how successful writers perceive their audience suggests that they write to an audience who is an idealized version of themselves. Writing for an unknown audience can be a writer's search for common ground, for a set of beliefs and…

Explores the background of "mutual knowledge"--an aspect of language theory--and modifies that notion so that it can be applied to composition theory and instruction, specifically audience analysis.

Outlines a revision checklist for student use in analyzing purpose, audience, form, and expression; summarizes classroom procedures for individuals, small groups, or whole classes to use in revision and proofreading exercises. (AEA)

In technical writing classes, audience is one of the most important concepts. Technical writing is typically written to a specific audience for a specific purpose. In addition, as audiences change, so must the way a document is written. An audience's lack of knowledge in a technical area, for example, would require more background information or…

The addition of an interpersonal element to the rhetorical devices offered students as they learn how to construct persuasive messages can enhance their writing by helping students discover why they produce the writing they do. To do so, teachers must help students to become more sensitive to the audience and involve them more in the…

Argues that although textbooks emphasize the importance of attention-getting introductions, such devices are hard to explain and hard for students to recognize. Observes that such an emphasis may suggest to students a vastly oversimplified view of the reading process. (HOD)

Focuses on the persona or ethos of the writer. Demonstrates that ethos can be an effective form of appeal in technical discourse, particularly in commanding the attention of the audience to instruction. Suggests specific directions for future research on specific ways to communicate a strong ethos in technical texts. (EL)

Using James Britton's model of discourse as a touchstone, this paper develops a theoretical base for writing instruction in adult literacy programs. The paper explores writing from an interactionist perspective that views writing as a complex recursive process in which the writer builds meaning with a text according to the purposes for writing,…

To shift the focus away from the writing instructor as the primary audience for written compositions, these writing assignments address the issue of audience directly. The assignments include the following: (1) select a magazine and analyze its audience; (2) compose a letter to the editor; (3) write an article for the selected magazine about an…

The letter of application should make use of message strategies that show the writer's awareness of the explicit needs of specific readers. However, very few students are able to write them, partially as a result of the audience analysis procedures that are suggested for student use. Students need a reader analysis procedure to help them learn…

Uses ideas from speech act theory to show students how to become "co-communicants" with their readers. (DF)