1. Clarity and Focus:
* What you're writing: Knowing your topic and purpose provides a clear direction. You'll be able to stay on track, avoid tangents, and ensure your writing stays focused.
* Who you're writing for: This helps you tailor your language, tone, and style to your audience. A scientific paper for a peer-reviewed journal will be vastly different from a blog post for casual readers.
2. Effective Communication:
* Target audience: Understanding your reader's needs, knowledge level, and interests allows you to present information in a way that resonates with them.
* Clear message: When you know your purpose, you can craft a clear and concise message that effectively communicates your ideas.
3. Style and Structure:
* Suitable style: Your writing style should match your audience and purpose. A formal, academic tone might be appropriate for a research paper, while a conversational, informal tone might work for a blog post.
* Appropriate structure: Knowing who you're writing for informs your choice of structure. A business report might require a specific format, while a creative story can have a more flexible structure.
4. Effective Research and Content:
* Targeted research: Knowing your audience allows you to focus your research on information that is relevant and interesting to them.
* Relevant content: You'll choose content that is appropriate for their level of understanding and engages them.
In summary:
Identifying your writing and audience before you start is like building a strong foundation for a house. It ensures your writing is well-structured, clear, engaging, and ultimately achieves your goals.