The impact of audience in technical writing

The ability to communicate clearly in writing requires more than a knowledge of the information to be communicated. Equally important is the writer's knowledge of his audience. This thesis examines the impact audience has on the presentation of information.

Research was conducted to understand the cultural and educational differences between the North American college educated audience and the West Indian seventh grade educated audience. Interviews, field work, and personal observations were conducted both in the United States and in Montserrat, an island in the West Indies. In addition, a popular newspaper from each area was examined and selected passages from those newspapers subjected to two tests which determine educational reading levels.

Considering the fast pace maintained by most people in the United States, a writing style which emphasized clarity and concision was needed for the North American audience. After living in Montserrat three weeks and meeting various Montserratians, I realized their knowledge is rooted in practical experience, rather than being rooted in formal education, as is characteristic of North Americans. Therefore, a less technical writing style than that used for the North American audience was needed for the West Indian audience. The West Indian audience also needed a writing style which could keep the reader's interest and highlight cultural ties between the past and the present.