Audience & Purpose

B. Your friends

In general, which of the following audiences would NOT need formal writing? Select one: A. Your parents B. Your friends C. Your teachers D. Your boss

A. The vocabulary level

The publisher of a middle school textbook wants an author to publish a different version of a story that was originally written for adults. Which of the following changes is most important for the author to consider adjusting for her new audience? Select one: A. The vocabulary level B. The setting of the story C. The title of the story D. The level of detail

D. purpose

To inform, persuade, and entertain are examples of: Select one: A. occasion B. bias C. perspective D. purpose

D. Who the text's audience is

What determines whether or not a writer uses jargon or specialized language in a piece of writing? Select one: A. The thesis statement the writer argues B. Where the writer finds sources C. How long the text is supposed to be D. Who the text's audience is

C. To tell about what something looks like

What does it mean "to describe"? Select one: A. To provide some form of amusement for a person or audience. B. To show that something is true using reason. C. To tell about what something looks like. D. To fill with a specific feeling or emotion.

B. To provide some form of amusement for a person or audience

What does it mean "to entertain"? Select one: A. To give or provide information. B. To provide some form of amusement for a person or audience. C. To convince someone of something. D. To tell about what something looks like.

D. To give or provide information

What does it mean "to inform"? Select one: A. To provide some form of amusement for a person or audience. B. To fill with a specific feeling or emotion. C. To show that something is true using reason. D. To give or provide information.

A. To convince someone of something

What does it mean "to persuade"? Select one: A. To convince someone of something. B. To tell about what something looks like. C. To fill with a specific feeling or emotion. D. To show that something is true using reason.

B. Why the author wrote it

What does knowing an author's purpose tell the reader about a piece of writing? Select one: A. How the author wrote it B. Why the author wrote it C. When the author wrote it D. Where the author wrote it

C. Who am I writing this paper for?

What question should a student ask when determining how to tailor the paper for a specific audience? Select one: A. Why am I writing this paper? B. When am I turning in this paper? C. Who am I writing this paper for? D. How am I organizing this paper?

B. The person or people for whom a writer writes

Which best defines an audience for a piece of writing? Select one: A. The general population in a writer's town B. The person or people for whom a writer writes C. The author's closest family and friends D. The author's teacher or professor

D. To persuade

Which of the following is a possible purpose for a piece of writing? Select one: A. To hear advice B. To enjoy C. To receive instruction D. To persuade

A. All of these

Which of these factors should an author consider when writing? Select one: A. All of these B. The audience's cultural background C. The audience's familiarity with the subject D. The audience's level of education

A. All of these

Figuring out the audience for your writing can also help you figure out . . . Select one: A. All of these B. How much information you give in your writing. C. The specific purpose for your writing. D. The proper tone for your writing.

A. Anyone who has not purchased a car before

Read the following sentence. First-time car buyers need to learn about interest rates and how to spot a con or a great deal. Who is the intended audience for this piece of writing? Select one: A. Anyone who has not purchased a car before B. People who arrange car loans C. Older customers who are looking for a luxury car D. Local car dealers

A. Students who might want to become cheerleaders

Read the following sentence. The cheerleading team will be holding auditions for new members in the Jefferson School's auditorium at noon on Saturday. Who is the intended audience for this announcement? Select one: A. Students who might want to become cheerleaders B. The Jefferson School faculty C. Parents of students at Jefferson School D. Students on the cheerleading team

A. Another student who attends the same school

Read these sentences from a student's letter. We all work hard every day in school. The weekends should be our time to relax, hang out with friends and family, and take our minds off working. Instead, we are given hours and hours of homework to complete. If you agree with me, please join me in a silent protest at the spring assembly. We will hold up signs to share our concerns. Hopefully, our protest leads to action. What audience is this letter most likely written to? Select one: A. Another student who attends the same school B. The student's teacher C. The school principal D. Other students from a school in another county

A. A good friend

Read this sentence from a student's letter. And, of course, Jenny is hosting a barbecue before the school dance, just like you and I went to last year. What audience is this letter most likely written to? Select one: A. A good friend B. The student's parents C. Someone not going to the barbecue D. Someone in Jenny's family

C. Whether to use a formal or informal tone

What does knowing your text's audience help you decide? Select one: A. Whether to include quotations B. Whether to include a thesis statement C.Whether to use a formal or informal tone D. Whether to use credible sources

B. To persuade people to take action

What is most likely an author's purpose for writing a text that includes arguments and opinions? Select one: A. To make people laugh and feel good B. To persuade people to take action C. To tell people what they should be doing D. To show people how to do something

D. To inform readers about a complex concept

What is most likely the author's purpose for writing an article in a scientific journal? Select one: A. To persuade readers to adopt a new way of thinking B. To entertain readers with an interesting story C. To explain details about his or her personal life D. To inform readers about a complex concept

A. The person or group of people that your writing is meant for.

What is the BEST definition of audience? Select one: A. The person or group of people that your writing is meant for. B. The main reason why you have produced a specific piece of writing. C. The person or group of people watching a particular performance. D. The opportunity to have your case be formally heard by a person or group of people.

D. The main reason why you have produced a specific piece of writing

What is the BEST definition of purpose? Select one: A. The act of deciding to do something. B. The author's bias or perspective. C. The person or group of people that your writing is meant for. D. The main reason why you have produced a specific piece of writing.

A. The purpose affects how you will write.

What is the MOST important reason to define the purpose of what you are writing? Select one: A. The purpose affects how you will write. B. The purpose affects where you will write. C. The purpose affects when you will write. D. The purpose affects the way your writing will look.

C. To inform

What is the most likely purpose of a manual showing people how to put together a small end table? Select one: A. To convince B. To entertain C. To inform D. To argue

B. To explain a complex issue

What is the most likely purpose of a report that is full of facts and statistics? Select one: A. To teach a difficult lesson B. To explain a complex issue C. To describe a beautiful place D. To argue a personal opinion

D. To entertain readers with clear description

What is the most likely purpose of an essay that includes many colorful details and vivid stories? Select one: A. To show readers how to accomplish a new task B. To inform readers of important facts and statistics C. To convince readers to make a choice D. To entertain readers with clear description

A. To argue a specific issue

What is the most likely purpose of an essay that is full of claims, evidence, and reasons? Select one: A. To argue a specific issue B. To teach a helpful skill C. To describe an important scene D. To explain a difficult concept

C. Audience

When writing a paper, what do you call the people you are hoping to teach or persuade? Select one: A. Students B. Listeners C. Audience D. Peers

C. A true story telling about a family that moved from the city to live in the tropical rainforest

Which of the following types of writing is most likely written to entertain? Select one: A. A speech focusing on ways to deal with rising utility costs during the winter months B. A manual detailing how to install a new bathroom faucet with minimal tools C. A true story telling about a family that moved from the city to live in the tropical rainforest D. A history textbook describing the conditions of the Dust Bowl during the 1930s

A. The knowledge level of those reading the paper

Which of these factors should be kept in mind when deciding how to write a paper for a specific audience? Select one: A. The knowledge level of those reading the paper B. The credibility of the paper's sources and quotations C. The grading scale for the paper D. The opinions of people in the community

D. A story about a new pet and how it changed the family

Which of these types of writing is most likely written to entertain? Select one: A. A letter to the editor asking people to get out and vote B. A list of technical medical terms and their definitions C. A report about the city's recycling programs and results D. A story about a new pet and how it changed the family

B. A car company advertisement

Which of these types of writing is most likely written to persuade? Select one: A. A lesson on planting flowers B. A car company advertisement C. An autobiography D. An evening news report

B. Interested viewers

Who is the most likely audience when writing a movie review? Select one: A. The film's director and producer B. Interested viewers C. Actors and actresses D. People who have seen the film

A. It determines the content to include in the writing.

Why it is important to keep the audience in mind when writing an essay? Select one: A. It determines the content to include in the writing. B. It guides how credible the sources need to be for the paper. C. It determines if the essay is going to require any quotations. D. It affects how much effort to put into the paper's research.

C. It informs the specific content to include.

Why it it important to keep the audience in mind when writing an essay? Select one: A. It controls which sources to use. B. It decides the amount of research needed. C. It informs the specific content to include. D. It determines if quotes are required.