What practical question should you ask yourself before begin writing?

The most practical question to ask yourself before beginning to write is: "What is my purpose, and who is my audience?"

This seemingly simple question encompasses several crucial elements:

* Purpose: What do I want to achieve with this writing? Am I trying to inform, persuade, entertain, instruct, or something else? Having a clear purpose guides your content and tone.

* Audience: Who am I writing for? Their knowledge level, interests, and expectations will dictate your style, vocabulary, and level of detail. A scientific paper will differ vastly from a blog post aimed at general readers.

Answering this question effectively clarifies your direction and prevents wasted effort on writing that doesn't serve its intended purpose or connect with its intended audience.