Review Questions for an Article for a Public Audience (P&K ch. 7)

Who will read this?

What is the audience expertise level?

What is the audience interest level?

Why are they reading it?

What is the likely reaction going to be?

How will the audience read the document?

Given where the article will appear,

• What format specifications are there?
• Content (required parts, issues to be addressed, etc.)
• Organization
• Length
• Mechanical considerations (font, margins, use of graphics, citation format, etc.)

How does the writer adapt technical material for the public audience (e.g. through narration, definition, examples, analysis, comparison, visual aids)? How effective is that adaptation and where might it be improved?

Has the writer misrepresented or confused any scientific information or issues in his/her presentation?

Does the organization suit the intended audience?

What suggestions can you offer to make this more appropriate for a public audience?