I found the first few pages of this reading to be very interesting, mainly the talk about the relationship between the author and the audience. When I think about it we never really do see the author of what we read and they are very abstract. Unless they are a well known author like JK Rowling or Tom Clancy or a well known newspaper columnist they are nothing more to us than a name on a page. I have never really thought before about the actual person who is physically writing the text that I am reading. I also never really considered the opposite side of the equation. Almost all of my writing is related to school. I realize that I do consider audience perspective in the fact that I try and think of what my teacher would like to hear or see in certain parts of my writing. I have never thought about the scope of it beyond that though. I also think this chapter makes a great point in that as Americans we consider writing to be the most truthful of media. It seems to me that given a perspective from different types of media with no previous knowledge of the source we are more likely to believe the written perspective than one that is spoken or seen. It reminds me that I always need to consider what the source is even when it comes to the text I read.
This is very insightful,
This is very insightful, Mike, and oh-so-true. As students, writers tend to lose their voices because of how focused their arguments and purposes are. It is difficult to consider much beyond that when, let's face it, the ultimate goal is to get a good grade. However, considering a larger audience sooner in your academic career might be beneficial later, when you're searching for or entering a job. Further, a larger understanding of your audience in your own writing is sure to make you a more critical reader; you might find yourself more carefully considering who is writing what you are reading, and what bearing that may have on your perception of the content.