Joining the conversation: writing and research>how to be heard: best practices for presenting responses
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Who was that audience, again?
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What works for that audience?
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What do I want that audience to do with my research?
Who was that audience, again?
Is your audience composed of readers who already know something about your topic and method (instructors, for example, or colleagues)? Is your audience composed of readers who share your interests, or readers you are trying to persuade to think in new ways? Remember who you’re speaking to; tone and style are key to effective argument, but not all tones and styles work with all audiences. What is the purpose of your document? Is your audience an academic one? Is it expecting a formal expository style? Is your audience one of casual readers? Are those readers expecting a chatty tone and a personal style?
Steps for shaping style and tone:
What works for that audience?
Make sure you are following the correct “style” for your readership, and stick to it. Were you asked to follow the Chicago Manual of Style? MLA? APA? Make sure you know which one, and stick to it, as far as document formatting and citation formatting go, for both online and print documents. Neglecting to follow the agreed-upon style affects your credibility and the effectiveness of your message.
Style and formatting:
What do I want that audience to do with my research?
Do you want your audience to “keep going” with what you’ve discovered, and do their own research? Do you want them to review what you’ve written and follow a set of directions for solving a specific problem? Do you want them to reflect on what they’ve learned, and think about how it might change something about the way they’ve been doing things? Answering these questions for yourself can help you shape an effective conclusion.
Strategies for writing effective conclusions:
See also: