Audience Analysis Essay
Week 2 Discussion Starter 1
What is audience analysis? What methods are available for tailoring a presentation to a target audience?
The dictionary describes audience analysis as follows: "In composing an essay, report, speech, or argument, the process of determining the values, interests, and attitudes of the intended audience." It involves the gathering of information regarding the audience to ensure that what is contained in the speech/presentation is appropriate for that audience. Factored needed to help define the audience include culture, age, and knowledge of the subject matter.
There are several methods for tailoring a presentation to an audience:
Research your audience prior to the presentation. The more you know about your audience …show more content…
the more likely you are able to connect with them.
Find out what the audience wants.
Ask key questions of the event organizer such as 'What are the key issues impacting on your industry, business or members?' Try and meet as many of the audience as possible prior to a presentation as ask "what's on your mind at the moment and what do you want to get out of this presentation?" Be specific.
Use examples. Nothing builds empathy and rapport with your audience as powerfully as examples.
Use vignettes. This is a short story, example or incident. The key point is they are easy to remember and tell. But they must be short and relevant.
Use metaphors. These are powerful words that conjure up vivid images in the minds of your audience and they are a proven speech writing technique.
Be specific. The more specific you can be with actual examples, case studies, and results the more laser-like your precision will be in targeting your message.
Use the incident/point/benefit technique. This one is really powerful. Tell the story, make the point and then importantly, reinforce how this will benefit the audience.
Week 2 Discussion Starter 1a
Consider demographic information concerning our perspective audience. For example, if someone was going to give a presentation to a group of people similar to yourself, what would be the important demographic factors for the presenter to
consider?
According to a University of Pittsburgh study done on public speaking, taking an audience-centered approach is important because a speaker’s effectiveness will be improved if the presentation is created and delivered in an appropriate manner. Adapting a speech to an audience is not the same thing as simply telling an audience what they want to hear. Audience analysis does not mean ‘grandstanding’ to a public. Rather, adaptation guides the stylistic and content choices a speaker makes for a presentation. Audience adaptation often involves walking a very fine line between over-adapting and under-adapting – a distinction that can be greater appreciated by understanding the general components of this skill.
As demographics often organize individual’s identities and experiences, a wise speaker attends to them. Communicators must also be careful about stereotyping an audience based on demographic information – individuals are always more complicated than a simplistic identity category. Also, they must be careful not to pander exclusively to interests based simply on demographics.
Week 2 Discussion Starter 2
How do you think a speaker's physical appearance and nonverbal characteristics affect an audience accepting a message? Why do you feel this way?
Preconception, otherwise known as "first impression". An audience will assign traits to a speaker long before the speaker opens his or her mouth. This affects non verbal communication. This is an arena where many psychologists venture in to say that our preconceive notions come into play. And just what are some of these preconceived notions? Assigned qualities based on our individual experiences, education, family upbringing and environment.
What is audience analysis? What methods are available for tailoring a presentation to a target audience?
The dictionary describes audience analysis as follows: "In composing an essay, report, speech, or argument, the process of determining the values, interests, and attitudes of the intended audience." It involves the gathering of information regarding the audience to ensure that what is contained in the speech/presentation is appropriate for that audience. Factored needed to help define the audience include culture, age, and knowledge of the subject matter.
There are several methods for tailoring a presentation to an audience:
Research your audience prior to the presentation. The more you know about your audience …show more content…
the more likely you are able to connect with them.
Find out what the audience wants.
Ask key questions of the event organizer such as 'What are the key issues impacting on your industry, business or members?' Try and meet as many of the audience as possible prior to a presentation as ask "what's on your mind at the moment and what do you want to get out of this presentation?" Be specific.
Use examples. Nothing builds empathy and rapport with your audience as powerfully as examples.
Use vignettes. This is a short story, example or incident. The key point is they are easy to remember and tell. But they must be short and relevant.
Use metaphors. These are powerful words that conjure up vivid images in the minds of your audience and they are a proven speech writing technique.
Be specific. The more specific you can be with actual examples, case studies, and results the more laser-like your precision will be in targeting your message.
Use the incident/point/benefit technique. This one is really powerful. Tell the story, make the point and then importantly, reinforce how this will benefit the audience.
Week 2 Discussion Starter 1a
Consider demographic information concerning our perspective audience. For example, if someone was going to give a presentation to a group of people similar to yourself, what would be the important demographic factors for the presenter to
consider?
According to a University of Pittsburgh study done on public speaking, taking an audience-centered approach is important because a speaker’s effectiveness will be improved if the presentation is created and delivered in an appropriate manner. Adapting a speech to an audience is not the same thing as simply telling an audience what they want to hear. Audience analysis does not mean ‘grandstanding’ to a public. Rather, adaptation guides the stylistic and content choices a speaker makes for a presentation. Audience adaptation often involves walking a very fine line between over-adapting and under-adapting – a distinction that can be greater appreciated by understanding the general components of this skill.
As demographics often organize individual’s identities and experiences, a wise speaker attends to them. Communicators must also be careful about stereotyping an audience based on demographic information – individuals are always more complicated than a simplistic identity category. Also, they must be careful not to pander exclusively to interests based simply on demographics.
Week 2 Discussion Starter 2
How do you think a speaker's physical appearance and nonverbal characteristics affect an audience accepting a message? Why do you feel this way?
Preconception, otherwise known as "first impression". An audience will assign traits to a speaker long before the speaker opens his or her mouth. This affects non verbal communication. This is an arena where many psychologists venture in to say that our preconceive notions come into play. And just what are some of these preconceived notions? Assigned qualities based on our individual experiences, education, family upbringing and environment.