Chapter+4+Questions

Chapter 4 Question

1. **What are the four main types of audiences based on their level of knowledge?** The four main types of audiences based on their level of knowledge are high tech, low tech, lay, and multiple.

2. **What are the differences among the types of audiences based on their level of knowledge?**
 * High-tech readers are experts in the field you are writing about, share your level of understanding, require minimal detail regarding standard procedures, they read to discover updates/ status reports, and the need little background information.
 * Low-tech readers are familiar with the technology you are writing about, but their job responsibilities are peripheral to the subject matter. They understand some abbreviation, acronyms, and technical jargon but you should define the terms to avoid confusion. You also need to provide more background information for low-tech readers than high-tech readers.
 * Lay readers are customers and clients. They are unfamiliar with your subject matter, terminology, and need background information.
 * Multiple readers can be some of all of these other categories. You should keep all of them in mind when you are writing to a multiple audience.

3. **What are the three ways to define terms in technical documents?** You can define terms in technical documents parenthetically, in a sentence, or in a glossary.

4. **What are the main parts of a definition?** The term, the type or word, and the distinguishing characteristics are the main parts of a definition.

5. **Why should you consider a multicultural audience when you write a technical document?** Your readers are not always going to be like you. Most of the time your readers will be diverse; diversity includes gender, race/ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, class, physical and mental characteristics, language, and family issues. Keeping in mind that your readers will hit one or more of these characteristics can help you write effectively for your audience.

6. **What guidelines should you follow to write to a multicultural audience?** You should define acronyms and abbreviations, avoid jargon and idioms, distinguish between nouns and verbs, watch for cultural biases/expectations, caution to using slash marks, avoid puns and humor, and know that translations make take more or less space.

7. **What is sexist language?** Sexist language are words that call attention to one gender, demean or stereotype either sex.

8. **What are three ways to avoid sexist writing?** Use plural words like they or their, omit all pronouns, and avoid stereotyping.

9. **How can you achieve audience involvement in your technical communication?** You should personalize your tone, and explain the benefit you are trying to get across.

10. **What are two things you can do to express reader benefit in technical communication?** You should use positive words and explain your benefit clearly.

Jake and Cindy talked over the phone for the questions.