Ch. 3

Geez! There are so many different things that you must take into consideration about your reader to write an effective document. First, you must figure out why the reader is reading your document, what they want from that document and how they will use the information. Then, you must define your reader's attitudes and learn their personal characteristics. When reading this part, I was skeptical because how do you really know what you reader is thinking and their personal characteristics? Yes, you can sit down and interview them. However, I don't think that that really happens in the business world. In this section, the book also pointed out that each reader is unique and the writer must try to take into consideration each and every reader without abandoning the others. This almost seems impossible to me to cater to each of your readers attitudes. The best writers must have the ability to do this and/or they are experienced writers who have gone through a lot of trial and error.

I agreed with the book that understanding your reader's culture is something that should be taken into consideration. I also feel that this is a more possible obstacle to overcome. The book had some really good examples between American culture and Asian culture and this is information that you can learn before writing to different to people of different cultures. It's information about whole group of people, not just certain characteristics that can be so specific and hard to obtain.

Other things to take into consideration were to learn who all your readers are such as phantom readers, who may be hidden from you but are still important. Also, future readers and having a complex audience are considered. Ethics also play a part including considering stakeholders who are very necessary to consider in the business world.

There are so many things that come into play when writing for your reader. I did not realize that it was so complex and that you really must break down you objectives and who your readers are before you can persuade them. The next time I write an important document or even give a speech I will take into consideration these guidelines and see how they effect my writing and my readers/listeners.

Melissa Bonneville