FOUNDATION
Purpose & Audience
Purpose tells you what the writing must accomplish. Audience shapes the level of explanation, tone, vocabulary and evidence.
Identify the purpose
Are you explaining, arguing, describing, reflecting, comparing, evaluating or persuading?
Know the reader
What does the reader already know? What must be explained? What evidence will this reader find credible?
Adjust the writing
A reflective journal, examination essay, research paper and professional report may discuss the same topic but should not sound identical.
Self-check
Does the tone fit the reader and the task? Have you explained anything your audience cannot reasonably be expected to know?