Q This week’s dual focus is on audience analysis and writing instructions. When you’re writing instructions, it’s essential that you understand exactly who will use what you write. If you don’t have a good grasp on who those users are, you can’t effectively write from a reader-centric point of view. Instructions The goal of this activity is to help you analyze your audience for a short set of instructions. While it would be useful to complete your Module Readings and review both Module Notes pages before completing this exercise, doing so is not a requirement. Step 1: Choose a Scenario For this activity, please choose one of the following everyday activities: • Tying your shoes • Making a scrambled egg • Making your bed • Feeding your animal • Writing an email or sending a text (the process, not the content) • Printing or saving a file in your word processor Keep in mind that you will use this same activity throughout the remainder of this module. The discussion this week is a workshop in which you will work with your peers to help each other test and improve your instructions. Then, you’ll revise your instructions to submit as your assignment at the end of the week. Step 2: Analyze the Audience Imagine that you are writing these instructions for someone who has never completed the process you’re documenting. Who is that target user? What do you know about them? Step 3: Craft Your Initial Response In your initial response, please provide the following information: • What is the target audience’s average reading level? Assume that you are writing for an adult, even if the process you’ve chosen doesn’t necessarily support that logic. You may want to research the average reading level of American adults to respond to this question. • What is one question the reader is likely to ask? • Is the reader going to feel prepared to take on the project with the information provided? How do you know? • Is there any jargon in the process that will need to be defined? If so, what terms are those? • Are you trying to persuade or convince the audience in any way? How do you know? Your initial response to this activity is due Wednesday by 11:59 pm ET. You may post your response using a standard discussion reply, or you can use the built-in video recording tool in Canvas to create an audiovisual response. In total, whether written or spoken, your initial response should not exceed 250 words. Step 4: Respond to Your Classmates Review the posts of at least two classmates and respond with brief posts of no more than 50 words each (two to three sentences). What is one additional audience consideration you think your classmates should be aware of regarding the process they’ve chosen to document? Your peer responses are due Friday by 11:59 pm ET. Your peer responses may be posted in written or audiovisual format, and they should not exceed 50 words each. Evaluation You will be assessed using the TECH200 Icebreaker Rubric. The Icebreaker interactions combined are worth 10% of your final grade in this course. Outcomes This activity assesses the following module outcomes: • M4-01: Describe the importance of analyzing audience and purpose when planning a document. (CO1, CO2, CO3, CO7) • M4-02: Identify and analyze key audience members for a specific technical communication situation. (CO1, CO2, CO3, CO7)