Intro. to Media Writing Class Notes

Chapter 2
Audience Analysis
Grammar and AP
Every class session we will go over a common problem in grammar and AP. The grammar examples are linguistic rules not normally caught by a spell-checker. Write these down, you will be tested on them.

Grammar: its vs. it's

Its --
Example:

It's --
Example:

AP: State Names

Standing alone: Spell out the names when they stand alone in textual material.
Example:
Abbreviations required: Use the state abbreviations listed on p. 195 in conjunction with the name of a city, town, village or military base in text.
Example:
Punctuation: Place one comma between the city and the state name, and another comma after the state name, unless ending the sentence.
Example:

Why should we care about our audience?
Media writers cater messages to specific audiences to overcome information overload.

What can you do?

Here's what your text says:
1. Accept the fact that writers must work hard to win readers.

2. Consider and analyze your audience and their needs.
Who will read this?
Who should read this?
Whom would I choose as an ideal listener or reader?

3. Care about your audience:
Learn about them
Think about them
Give information they can use and understand

Who is your audience?

Class Activity: Find a Web site to critique.

Reaching Audiences Ch. 2 describes four methods to research audiences: cogitation , research, surveys and focus groups. Our assignment builds off of cogitation. The nature of your audience determines your choice of writing style.

Cogitation means thinking about your audience in terms of:

Demographics - gender, age, education, income

Geographics - Where does your audience live? (be as specific as a neighborhood, to a region, or as broad as a country)

Psychographics - What are the interests of your audience? attitudes about issues? likes and dislikes?

Food for thought: You are my target audience. Who are you?

Activity #2 in the workbook will put these audience analysis skills into practice.

Here are some local Web sites that might help you determine a target audience and an effective writing style:

North Dakota Department of Economic Development and Finance - Helpful Links Page
North Dakota Department of Tourism
Minnesota Office of Tourism
North Dakota State University, Fargo
Moorhead State University, Moorhead
Concordia College, Moorhead
Northwest Technical College, Moorhead
City of Fargo
Fargo-Cass County Economic Development Corporation
www.in-forum.com
FargoWeb
The High Plains Reader

Disabilities:
Any student with disabilities, or others who need special accommodations in this class, are invited to share their concerns or requests with the instructor as soon as possible.

Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism:
Work submitted for this course must adhere to the Code of Academic Responsibility and conduct as cited in the Handbook of Student Policies (p. 65).

Professor Name: Candace Homstad
Last Updated: 1/24/99
Published by North Dakota State University