Intended Audience, English I Standards Lab

Intended Audience, English I Standards Lab

Review:

Last time, we learned about using context to figure out the meaning of new words.

Open Ended

Review Question: If you get a question that asks you to figure out the meaning of a new word using context, what does that usually mean about the word? (Hint: what type of word would the question be asking about?)

Review: Key Understanding

Often times, when a question asks you the meaning of a certain word in the passage, it indicates that the word is important to the meaning of the passage overall.

Today's Learning Goal:

After this lesson, scholars will be able to identify the intended audience of a text.

Open Ended

Check for Understanding: In your own words, what does "intended audience" mean?

Key Understanding (1/2)

In any form of communication, the intended audience is the group of people that the creator is imagining will read, watch, or experience what they've created.

Key Understanding (2/2)

In a written text, the intended audience is the group of people that the text was written for. When the author is writing the text, they have a certain group of people in mind who might need the information or might enjoy the information.

Passage #1

Coasters and trivets are easy to create, and they make great gifts. All you need for this simple DIY project is cork, a template, a mat cutter, a pen, scissors, and a flat work surface. Start by choosing a template shape, such as a star. Trace and cut the template onto the cork. Voilà! You have a cork star that can be used as a coaster or a trivet.

Multiple Choice

Coasters and trivets are easy to create, and they make great gifts. All you need for this simple DIY project is cork, a template, a mat cutter, a pen, scissors, and a flat work surface. Start by choosing a template shape, such as a star. Trace and cut the template onto the cork. Voilà! You have a cork star that can be used as a coaster or a trivet.

Who is the intended audience of this passage?

• crafters interested in quick and useful projects

• crafters who want to start a new hobby

• shoppers looking for gift ideas

• people who need new coasters

Multiple Choice

Coasters and trivets are easy to create, and they make great gifts. All you need for this simple DIY project is cork, a template, a mat cutter, a pen, scissors, and a flat work surface. Start by choosing a template shape, such as a star. Trace and cut the template onto the cork. Voilà! You have a cork star that can be used as a coaster or a trivet.

Which best indicates that the intended audience is crafters interested in quick and useful projects?

• The writer provides detailed step-by-step instruction.

• The writer emphasizes the simplicity and utility of the project.

• The writer emphasizes that coasters and trivets make great gifts.

• The writer includes a short list of necessary materials.

Passage #2

Let the snow fall! Chase away the winter chill with our luxurious coats and fashionable faux-fur accessories. Our new arrivals are the hottest looks of the season. And don't miss out on our 40% off sale! Friday is the last day to save!

Multiple Choice

Let the snow fall! Chase away the winter chill with our luxurious coats and fashionable faux-fur accessories. Our new arrivals are the hottest looks of the season. And don't miss out on our 40% off sale! Friday is the last day to save!

Who is the intended audience of this passage?

• Shoppers who live in areas with lots of snow

• Shoppers who don’t wear fur

• Shoppers looking for trendy winter clothing

• Shoppers looking for practical winter clothing

Multiple Choice

Let the snow fall! Chase away the winter chill with our luxurious coats and fashionable faux-fur accessories. Our new arrivals are the hottest looks of the season. And don't miss out on our 40% off sale! Friday is the last day to save!

Which best indicates that the primary audience is shoppers looking for trendy winter clothing?

• The writer suggests shoppers should hurry in before Friday.

• The writer describes the merchandise as fashionable and the hottest of the season.

• The writer opens with a carefree exclamation: let the snow fall!

• The writer tempts shoppers with the promise of a big sale.

Passage #3

Blueberry Muffins: Preheat oven to 400°F and line a muffin pan with paper liners. In a large mixing bowl, beat four eggs; slowly add two cups white sugar. Continue to beat. Add one cup vegetable oil and one teaspoon vanilla extract. In a separate mixing bowl, combine four cups all-purpose white flour, one teaspoon salt, and one teaspoon baking soda. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Do not overmix. Gently fold in two cups sour cream and two cups fresh blueberries. Spoon batter into muffin cups. Bake for 20 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before removing from pan.

Multiple Choice

...In a separate mixing bowl, combine four cups all-purpose white flour, one teaspoon salt, and one teaspoon baking soda. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Do not overmix. Gently fold in two cups sour cream and two cups fresh blueberries. Spoon batter into muffin cups. Bake for 20 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before removing from pan.

Who is the intended audience of this passage?

• professional pastry chefs

• home chefs with some cooking knowledge

• school cafeteria bakers

• young children learning to bake

Multiple Choice

...In a separate mixing bowl, combine four cups all-purpose white flour, one teaspoon salt, and one teaspoon baking soda. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Do not overmix. Gently fold in two cups sour cream and two cups fresh blueberries. Spoon batter into muffin cups. Bake for 20 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before removing from pan.

Which best indicates that the intended audience is home chefs with some cooking knowledge?

• The writer provides instructions for a widely loved food item.

• The writer mentions advanced techniques but doesn't explain them.

• The writer assumes the reader needs to know what ingredients to use.

• The writer gives basic reminders but uses shorthand common to recipes.

Passage #4

A four-alarm fire caused severe damage to multiple historic buildings downtown early Thursday morning before being extinguished. More than fifty firefighters from the Springfield Fire Department responded to the blaze around 4 A.M. The fire was largely controlled by 5:30 A.M., but crews continued to survey the area for hot spots. No injuries have been reported, but the extent of the damage is still unclear. The fire's cause has not been determined.

Multiple Choice

A four-alarm fire caused severe damage to multiple historic buildings downtown early Thursday morning before being extinguished. More than fifty firefighters from the Springfield Fire Department responded to the blaze around 4 A.M. The fire was largely controlled by 5:30 A.M., but crews continued to survey the area for hot spots. No injuries have been reported, but the extent of the damage is still unclear. The fire's cause has not been determined.

Who is the primary audience?

• Firefighters and fire-prevention advocates

• An international news audience

• Students at Springfield elementary schools

• A local news audience

Multiple Choice

A four-alarm fire caused severe damage to multiple historic buildings downtown early Thursday morning before being extinguished. More than fifty firefighters from the Springfield Fire Department responded to the blaze around 4 A.M. The fire was largely controlled by 5:30 A.M., but crews continued to survey the area for hot spots. No injuries have been reported, but the extent of the damage is still unclear. The fire's cause has not been determined.

Which best indicates that the primary audience is a local news audience?

• The writer does not immediately specify the city where the fire occurred

• The writer mentions that the fire’s cause has not been determined

• The writer describes the damage as severe

• The writer reveals that the fire was under control by 5:30 AM

Passage #5

Genes and Behavior: In the 1940s, behavioral psychologist Robert Tryon conducted an experiment in which rats were placed in a complex maze that had a food reward at one exit. Rats that made fewer errors navigating the maze were bred together to create a "maze-bright colony." Rats that made more errors were bred together to create a "maze-dull colony." After selectively breeding the mice for seven generations, Tryon tested offspring from each colony to determine how quickly those rats would learn the maze. Offspring of the maze-bright rats consistently made fewer errors than the maze-dull offspring. Tyron's research therefore suggests that the ability to navigate the maze successfully was influenced by genes passed from parent to offspring.

Multiple Choice

Genes and Behavior: In the 1940s, behavioral psychologist Robert Tryon conducted an experiment in which rats were placed in a complex maze that had a food reward at one exit. Rats that made fewer errors navigating the maze were bred together to create a "maze-bright colony." Rats that made more errors were bred together to create a "maze-dull colony." After selectively breeding the mice for seven generations, Tryon tested offspring from each colony to determine how quickly those rats would learn the maze. Offspring of the maze-bright rats consistently made fewer errors than the maze-dull offspring. Tyron's research therefore suggests that the ability to navigate the maze successfully was influenced by genes passed from parent to offspring.

Who is the primary audience?

• biology students

• genetics researchers

• people who own pet rats

• professional psychologists

Multiple Choice

Genes and Behavior: In the 1940s, behavioral psychologist Robert Tryon conducted an experiment in which rats were placed in a complex maze that had a food reward at one exit. Rats that made fewer errors navigating the maze were bred together to create a "maze-bright colony." Rats that made more errors were bred together to create a "maze-dull colony." After selectively breeding the mice for seven generations, Tryon tested offspring from each colony to determine how quickly those rats would learn the maze. Offspring of the maze-bright rats consistently made fewer errors than the maze-dull offspring. Tyron's research therefore suggests that the ability to navigate the maze successfully was influenced by genes passed from parent to offspring.

Which best indicates that the primary audience is biology students?

• The writer uses straightforward language to explain an experiment about gene selection.

• The writer specifically mentions that genes influenced the mice's ability to navigate the maze.

• The writer includes information that only experts would understand.

• The writer emphasizes the importance of Robert Tryon's work.

Passage #6

I was dismayed on Friday when the Norwood City Council announced its intent to reduce library hours at all branches in an effort to cut costs. This reduction in services will negatively impact students in our community. I have worked at the downtown branch for more than a decade, and I've seen just how important the library is. Every day, dozens of students come to the library after school to do homework. For many students, there are no other safe, supervised spaces available during the afternoons. To protect this space, contact your city council representatives and speak out against reducing library hours!

Multiple Choice

I was dismayed on Friday when the Norwood City Council announced its intent to reduce library hours at all branches in an effort to cut costs. This reduction in services will negatively impact students in our community. I have worked at the downtown branch for more than a decade, and I've seen just how important the library is. Every day, dozens of students come to the library after school to do homework. For many students, there are no other safe, supervised spaces available during the afternoons. To protect this space, contact your city council representatives and speak out against reducing library hours!

Who is the primary audience?

• local parents and community members

• members of the Norwood City Council

• students who use the library

• fellow librarians

Multiple Choice

I was dismayed on Friday when the Norwood City Council announced its intent to reduce library hours at all branches in an effort to cut costs. This reduction in services will negatively impact students in our community. I have worked at the downtown branch for more than a decade, and I've seen just how important the library is. Every day, dozens of students come to the library after school to do homework. For many students, there are no other safe, supervised spaces available during the afternoons. To protect this space, contact your city council representatives and speak out against reducing library hours!

Which best indicates that the primary audience is local parents and community members?

• The writer addresses readers who have Norwood City Council representatives.

• The writer appeals to her authority as a library worker.

• The writer thinks readers won't care about cutting costs.

• The writer reminds students how much they enjoy the library.

Share Out

When you're reading a new text, why might it be important to identify the intended audience of a text?

Possible Answers:

-Knowing the audience helps you understand the context of the rest of the passage

-Knowing the audience also helps you know why the author wrote the text (aka, the purpose of the text)

Fill in the Blank

Bonus Question! Author's Purpose is often described as the acronym "PIE." In the acronym, "P" stands for Persuade, and "I" stands for Inform. What does "E" stand for?

Today's Learning Goal:

After this lesson, scholars will be able to identify the intended audience of a text.

Poll

Which of the following best describes how you feel about today's learning goal?

• I'm still confused about what we learned today

• I understand some of what we learned today

• I understand all of what we learned today

• I'm an expert on what we learned today & I could teach the next lesson on this

Open Ended

In your own words, explain what 9th grade scholars need to know about intended audience.