Identifying Audience in Essays

Dan Reed explains how to identify the audience for essays, emphasizing that students are not always the target. He outlines three key factors: where the essay was published, the language used, and the author's background. By considering these, one can determine if the audience is general or scholarly.

Why is it important to identify the audience of an essay?

• To understand the essay's purpose

• To find out the essay's publication date

• To determine the essay's length

• To decide the essay's title

What is a common misconception about the audience of academic readings?

• The audience is always professors

• The audience is always students

• The audience is always general public

• The audience is always experts

Which of the following is NOT a factor in identifying the audience?

• The language used in the essay

• The essay's font size

• The author's background

• Where the essay was published

If an essay is published in a newspaper, who is it likely intended for?

• A professional audience

• A student audience

• A general audience

• A scholarly audience

What should you consider about the publication to identify the audience?

• The publication's size

• The publication's color

• The publication's location

• The publication's source

What is the first step in identifying the audience of an essay?

• Determine where it was published

• Check the essay's length

• Look at the essay's font

• Analyze the essay's title

What type of language suggests an essay is meant for a general audience?

• Technical language

• Everyday language

• Formal language

• Complex language

If an essay includes citations, who is it likely intended for?

• General readers

• Children

• Scholars

• Journalists

What type of audience is likely if the essay uses technical language?

• General audience

• Scholars

• Tourists

• Children

What does the author's background tell us about the intended audience?

• It shows the essay's publication date

• It reveals the essay's length

• It indicates the essay's difficulty

• It helps identify the target audience