Audience-And-Use Profile Sheet
Audience Identity and Needs
Primary reader(s): ___________________________________________________ (name, title)
Secondary readers(s): __________________________________________________________
Relationship: _____________________________________________(client, employer, other)
Intended use of document: ______________________ (perform a task, solve a problem, other)
Prior knowledge about this topic: ____________________(knows nothing, a few details, other)
Additional information needed __________________________________________________ ?
Probable questions: ___________________________________________________________ ?
___________________________________________________________________________ ?
___________________________________________________________________________ ?
___________________________________________________________________________ ?
Audience’s Probably Attitude and Personality
Attitude toward topic: ___________________________________ (indifferent, skeptical, other)
Probable objections: ________________________________________ (cost, time, none, other)
Probable attitude toward this writer:_________________ (intimidated, hostile, receptive, other)
Organizational climate:___________________________ (receptive, repressive, creative, other)
Persons most affected by this document: ___________________________________________
Temperament: __________________________________________ (cautious, impatient, other)
Probable reaction to document: _________________ (resistance, approval, anger, guilt, other)
Risk of alienating anyone: ______________________________________________________
Audience Expectations About the Document
Reason document originated; _________________________ (audience request, my idea, other)
Acceptable length: __________________________________ (comprehensive, concise, other)
Material important to this audience: _____________________________ (interpretations, costs,
_____________________________________________________________ conclusions, other)
Most useful arrangement: ____________________________ (problem-causes-solutions, other)
Tone: __________________________________ (business-like, apologetic, enthusiastic, other)
Intended effect on this audience: _________________________________________________
Due date; ____________________________________________________________________
Source: Lannon, John M. Technical Writing. 6th ed. New York: HarperCollins College
Publishers, 1994: 60.