Discussion #2 - 9/14

Response to Reading: Ch. 5

Chapter 5 focuses on audiences. If we are the speech-makers, then the people to whom we direct our speeches are the listeners. It is our duty to make sure that the speech caters to the audience and not the other way around. Therefore, it is important to compose our speeches keeping our audience in mind.

I was very interested in reading about how there can be multiple subgroups of audiences existing within a large audience. I always assumed that I could treat my audience as one entity. It makes sense that, if I am making a speech, the diversity of my audience causes different members of it to interpret my info in different manners. I like the suggestions Chapter 5 gives for unifying the audience in such situations. Using a common language, finding examples that everyone can relate to, and even by just being friendly and knowledgeable about my topic I can adapt to my diverse audience and really unify them.

I also liked the idea of using a questionnaire or survey to get the demographics of my audience. It seems like the most straightforward thing to do. Instead of trying to assume and predict what an audience is like isn't it easier just to ask them?