C768 Technical Communication Task 1 Page 1
Western Governors University
C768 Technical Communication Task 1
A. Audience Analysis
Introduction: Knowing one’s audience is critical to the success of any project.
The type of personnel that will use the material can dramatically affect the
scope, language and design of the product. If not tailored appropriately, the
document is vulnerable to dismissal or misinterpretation by the audience,
increasing the likelihood that it will not achieve its intended purpose.
Audience 1:
Familiarity with the Topic: Technical expertise among those attending the
international conference will vary. Therefore, the presentation should use
vocabulary easily understood by a wide range of personnel. For example, field
specific terminology not known to the greater IT community should be avoided.
Attitude: Audience 1 members are excited to learn about the new Software
Version Control (SVC) process. Therefore, it is unnecessary to devote a
large portion of the presentation to winning over the audience. For
example, time would be better spent explaining how the process actually
works rather than focusing on convincing the audience of SVC’s worth.
Cultural Background: Because this presentation will be given at an
international conference, a wide range of traditions, religions, and customs
among attendees is likely. Therefore, great care must be taken to compose a
product that does not have content that is considered offensive in other cultures.
For example, author Kirk R. St. Amant warns that “the OK sign we make in the
United States by putting thumb and forefinger together is a symbol for money in
Japan and is considered vulgar in Brazil” (St. Amant, 2005, p. 14).
Language: Although this presentation will be in English, it is important to remember
that the venue is an international conference and English will be a second language
for many in attendance. Therefore, the presentation should avoid common English
slang or business jargon, as the meaning could easily be lost. For example, author
, C768 Technical Communication Task 1 Page 2
Larae D. Lundgren notes that the term ““Part-time workers” has a specific
meaning in the United States, but readers from the Middle East may not
understand it” (Lundgren, 1998, p. 338).
Demographics: Due to the nature of international conferences, a broad spectrum of
socioeconomic status, age, gender, and geographic origin is to be expected.
Therefore, the presentation must appeal to a wide range of people. For example,
ideas or concepts that are familiar only to a certain age bracket should be avoided.
Audience 2:
Familiarity with the Topic: Although this webinar is for an IT course, one must
remember that students are the intended audience. Therefore, one should not assume
that the audience already has a base knowledge of the subject. For example, the
webinar should explain what the acronym SVC stands for, and what SVC actually is.
Attitude: While it can be expected that some students will show a genuine interest
in a webinar about SVC, it is likely that some students will have negative or
indifferent initial perceptions. Therefore, the webinar should explain to the students
why the topic is important and how it can enrich their work. For example, the
webinar could show students how SVC can prevent redundant effort.
Cultural Background: The United States is a melting pot that contains a
cornucopia of traditions, religions and customs. Despite this, most college
students still have a lot in common and are accustomed to American cultural
norms. Therefore, the webinar should be constructed in a manner that
adheres to typical U.S. customs and courtesies. For example, standard
American greetings or goodbyes would be appropriate for this webinar.
Language: As a United States institution, the primary language for the
majority of students is expected to be English. Therefore, the webinar should
use standard American English. For example, the webinar can take
advantage of English language idioms.
Demographics: While universities are relatively diverse, the majority of students are
young adults and live in the same country as the institution, even if it is an online
college. Therefore, the webinar should be tailored to appeal to young adults in the
Western Governors University
C768 Technical Communication Task 1
A. Audience Analysis
Introduction: Knowing one’s audience is critical to the success of any project.
The type of personnel that will use the material can dramatically affect the
scope, language and design of the product. If not tailored appropriately, the
document is vulnerable to dismissal or misinterpretation by the audience,
increasing the likelihood that it will not achieve its intended purpose.
Audience 1:
Familiarity with the Topic: Technical expertise among those attending the
international conference will vary. Therefore, the presentation should use
vocabulary easily understood by a wide range of personnel. For example, field
specific terminology not known to the greater IT community should be avoided.
Attitude: Audience 1 members are excited to learn about the new Software
Version Control (SVC) process. Therefore, it is unnecessary to devote a
large portion of the presentation to winning over the audience. For
example, time would be better spent explaining how the process actually
works rather than focusing on convincing the audience of SVC’s worth.
Cultural Background: Because this presentation will be given at an
international conference, a wide range of traditions, religions, and customs
among attendees is likely. Therefore, great care must be taken to compose a
product that does not have content that is considered offensive in other cultures.
For example, author Kirk R. St. Amant warns that “the OK sign we make in the
United States by putting thumb and forefinger together is a symbol for money in
Japan and is considered vulgar in Brazil” (St. Amant, 2005, p. 14).
Language: Although this presentation will be in English, it is important to remember
that the venue is an international conference and English will be a second language
for many in attendance. Therefore, the presentation should avoid common English
slang or business jargon, as the meaning could easily be lost. For example, author
, C768 Technical Communication Task 1 Page 2
Larae D. Lundgren notes that the term ““Part-time workers” has a specific
meaning in the United States, but readers from the Middle East may not
understand it” (Lundgren, 1998, p. 338).
Demographics: Due to the nature of international conferences, a broad spectrum of
socioeconomic status, age, gender, and geographic origin is to be expected.
Therefore, the presentation must appeal to a wide range of people. For example,
ideas or concepts that are familiar only to a certain age bracket should be avoided.
Audience 2:
Familiarity with the Topic: Although this webinar is for an IT course, one must
remember that students are the intended audience. Therefore, one should not assume
that the audience already has a base knowledge of the subject. For example, the
webinar should explain what the acronym SVC stands for, and what SVC actually is.
Attitude: While it can be expected that some students will show a genuine interest
in a webinar about SVC, it is likely that some students will have negative or
indifferent initial perceptions. Therefore, the webinar should explain to the students
why the topic is important and how it can enrich their work. For example, the
webinar could show students how SVC can prevent redundant effort.
Cultural Background: The United States is a melting pot that contains a
cornucopia of traditions, religions and customs. Despite this, most college
students still have a lot in common and are accustomed to American cultural
norms. Therefore, the webinar should be constructed in a manner that
adheres to typical U.S. customs and courtesies. For example, standard
American greetings or goodbyes would be appropriate for this webinar.
Language: As a United States institution, the primary language for the
majority of students is expected to be English. Therefore, the webinar should
use standard American English. For example, the webinar can take
advantage of English language idioms.
Demographics: While universities are relatively diverse, the majority of students are
young adults and live in the same country as the institution, even if it is an online
college. Therefore, the webinar should be tailored to appeal to young adults in the
