Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is essential to know about your audience when creating a report?
What is essential to know about your audience when creating a report?
What two things do all audiences have in common?
What two things do all audiences have in common?
What is a common purpose of a report?
What is a common purpose of a report?
What should you do as soon as possible when writing a report?
What should you do as soon as possible when writing a report?
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Why is it essential to identify your audience before writing a report?
Why is it essential to identify your audience before writing a report?
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What is the result of a report that doesn't answer the questions of cost and time required?
What is the result of a report that doesn't answer the questions of cost and time required?
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What is another common purpose of a report?
What is another common purpose of a report?
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Why is it important to express the purpose of the report?
Why is it important to express the purpose of the report?
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What is the benefit of drafting the table of contents early in the report-writing process?
What is the benefit of drafting the table of contents early in the report-writing process?
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When should you start writing the sections of the report?
When should you start writing the sections of the report?
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Study Notes
Identifying Audiences
- There are three main categories of audiences for a technical report: Technical, Non-Technical, and Mixed.
Technical Audiences
- Made up of people in the same field as the writer.
- Includes people like other computer scientists and technicians.
- They may work within the same organization or outside.
- Their interests may include other things, but they are likely to have an interest in the subject of the report.
Non-Technical Audiences
- Include citizen advisory boards, financial experts, legal or administrative readers, and many others.
- Their needs are different from technical readers.
- As a technical writer, you need to provide what they are looking for.
Mixed Audiences
- A combination of technical and non-technical readers.
- The most common type of audience.
- More difficult to write for, but can be achieved with good report design principles.
Overcoming Audience Challenges
- One of the challenges is overcoming the natural reaction of readers.
- This can be done by designing the report properly.
- Principles of good report design will be covered later in the course.
Identifying and Analyzing Audiences
- Define the purpose of the report and the key information it needs to convey.
- Define the audience and their level of technical understanding.
- Determine the level of detail necessary for the report.
- Organize the data.
Working with a Team
- Assign tasks to each team member.
- Let each team member know the level of detail required, the audience, and the deadlines.
- Follow up with each author to ensure commitment and to identify potential problems.
- Select an editor to enhance the final document and ensure consistency.
Meeting Deadlines
- Deadlines should be clear and committed to in writing.
- Managing the document is a project management task that requires frequent contact with all members.
- Plan for some leeway in the schedule to accommodate late members.
- Tools like Microsoft Project can help monitor progress.
Understanding Your Audience
- Know your audience's technical background, function in the organization, interests, and required level of detail.
- Your report should answer two common questions: what will your idea cost, and how long will it take to accomplish?
Report Purposes
- To convince the reader of something.
- To encourage the reader to do something.
Getting Started
- Begin writing the report sections as soon as possible.
- Draft the table of contents early in the process to provide an overview of the document.
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Description
This quiz covers the three broad categories of audiences for a technical report, including technical, non-technical, and mixed audiences. It also explains the characteristics of technical audiences.
