reader analysis

Target Group Analysis: 

Target Group Analysis Thomas L. Warren, Professor Technical Writing Program Oklahoma State University

Overview of Talk: 

Overview of Talk Approaches to target group analysis Compare in school and on-the-job Preparing a document Comparison of two audiences Sample Conclusion and questions

Audience analysis: 

Audience analysis Three approaches to audience analysis Demographic Organizational Psychological Simple Complex

Approaches: 

Approaches DEMOGRAPHIC What you can ask about What you can count ORGANIZATIONAL Role of individual in a company Level of influence PSYCHOLOGICAL Information processing Information needs

Approaches: 

Approaches DEMOGRAPHIC What you can ask about What you can count ORGANIZATIONAL Role of individual in a company Level of influence PSYCHOLOGICAL Information processing Information needs

Demographic: 

Demographic Education Sex Income Address Children

Approaches: 

Approaches DEMOGRAPHIC What you can ask about What you can count ORGANIZATIONAL Role of individual in a company Level of influence PSYCHOLOGICAL Information processing Information needs

DEC’s: 

DEC’s Novice Someone familiar with another operating system Someone familiar with a previous version of the product

Slide9: 

USER OF OTHER PREVIOUS USER INFLUENCE NOVICE SOFTWARE THIS SOFTWARE Illustrations: Type Obvious Sophisticated Number Many Few Complexity Simple Complex Coverage Depth/Breath Overview In depth on (general) topics of daily How to use concern. Vocabulary Concrete Abstractions Short sentences Long sentences Monosyllables SOURCE: Personal Computer: Documentor's Guide,DEC,I-1-7 DEC’s READERS

Hierarchy: 

Hierarchy

Approaches: 

Approaches DEMOGRAPHIC What you can ask about What you can count ORGANIZATIONAL Role of individual in a company Level of influence PSYCHOLOGICAL Information processing Information needs

Three Questions: 

Three Questions What does my reader NEED to know? How can I help my reader to UNDERSTAND? What do I want my reader TO DO with the information?

Three Questions: 

Three Questions What does the reader NEED to know? Quantity Content

Three Questions: 

Three Questions How can I help my reader to UNDERSTAND the material? Definitions Visuals Sentence and paragraph length and structure Background information Qualitative details (technical) Clear statements of purpose/function

Three Questions: 

Three Questions What do I want my reader TO DO with the information? Approve Disapprove Accept a recommendation Take some kind of action Be informed only Respond to my request Other

Audience Analysis: 

Audience Analysis In your own group In close proximity Elsewhere in organization Outside organization

Audience Analysis: Comparison with School: 

Audience Analysis: Comparison with School

Reader’s Purpose: 

Reader’s Purpose

Readers Reading: 

Readers Reading Sender Message Receiver Content Form Format Structure Specifications Will your reader be familiar with all the elements in the message? Type of report Layout Organization Type of English Style Manual

Slide20: 

Document consists of Technical Information Requirements process about subject Know what Data about Specifications data to use. Subject. Reader expectations Collect it. Unique to Analyze it. this assignment Organize it Process similar each time use it

What drives the process?: 

What drives the process?

Slide22: 

Document consists of Technical Information Requirements process about subject Know what Data about Specifications data to use. Subject. Reader Collect it. Unique to expectations Analyze it. this Organize it. assignment Process similar each time use it Reader’s need for information

Lay vs. Expert: I*: 

Lay vs. Expert: I* * Based on Pearsall, Thomas E., 'Introduction' to Audience Analysis for Technical Writing, (Beverly Hills, CA: Glencoe Press, 1969), pp. xii-xxii.

Lay vs. Expert: II*: 

Lay vs. Expert: II* * Based on Pearsall, Thomas E., 'Introduction' to Audience Analysis for Technical Writing, (Beverly Hills, CA: Glencoe Press, 1969), pp. xii-xxii.

Lay vs. Expert: III*: 

Lay vs. Expert: III* * Based on Pearsall, Thomas E., 'Introduction' to Audience Analysis for Technical Writing, (Beverly Hills, CA: Glencoe Press, 1969), pp. xii-xxii.

Summary: How do You Adapt Text for Different Readers?: 

Summary: How do You Adapt Text for Different Readers? Ways to adapt text Vocabulary—complexity of ideas presented Assumptions about prior knowledge Author’s purpose; reader’s goal Sentence length and structure Used how/when?

Questions?: 

Questions?

Contact Me: 

Contact Me Thomas L. Warren, Professor Technical Writing Program English Department, M205 Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK 74078 twarren@okstate.edu www.okstate.edu/artsci/techwr