In order to write a thoughtful, audience
appropriate final report for your project, you need to consider the
multiple audiences who will read the report or provide input. (In the
real world, I would not be one of your audiences for the final document,
nor would President Mahony or a board member be likely readers). In memorandum format
provide an analysis of the three audiences with which your project deals
to insure that you include appropriate information that the person/group
will need to have in order to move forward with your recommendation.
·
Primary: the person or group who can
approve or reject your project
·
Secondary: the person or group who would
implement the project if it were approved
·
Tertiary: the group(s) who will benefit |
Use a descriptive subject line. Then introduce what
the document is and why I have it (remind me what your project is to
orient me). Use the headings above to label each body section to allow a
reader to skim to the section(s) of interest. No heading should be used
for the introductory material. |
1.
First section: Primary Audience
(decision-maker)
a.
Paragraph 1: Give the facts you know
about this audience. For example, explain who the audience is. What is
his or her job? What keeps this person busy? What is his or her work
environment like?
b.
Paragraph 2: Describe how your knowledge
of this audience impacts what you will include in the final project. How
concise do you need to be? What evidence do you need to include that will convince this
audience to approve your project? |
2.
Second section: Secondary Audience (implementer):
a.
Paragraph 1: Give the facts you know
about this audience. For example, explain who the audience is. What is
his or her job? How busy is the person? What is his or her work
environment like?
b.
Paragraph 2: Describe how your knowledge
of this audience impacts what you will include in the final project. How
concise do you need to be? What evidence do you need to include that will convince this
audience to approve your project? |
3.
Third section: Tertiary Audience (recipients or beneficiaries, least
influential):
a.
Although this audience will not read the
report, you will include information you obtained through surveys in the
final report.
b.
Paragraph 1: Give the facts you know
about this audience. Explain who the audience is and how the group will
benefit should your project be feasible.
c.
Paragraph 2: Explain how you will use
what you know about the tertiary audience to influence the primary and
secondary audiences. |
Important
note: You must write two paragraphs for each audience as
explained above. You will earn an
automatic D if you fail to
provide two paragraphs about all three audiences. |