Reader-Friendly Reports: A No-nonsense Guide to Effective Writing for MBAs, Consultants, and Other Professionals

ASSESSING THE AUDIENCE

Likewise, before you start writing your report, be sure you know who you’re writing to. Writing is, as page 3 said, less often “right” or “wrong” than it is “appropriate” or “inappropriate,” and what’s appropriate for one reader can be wildly off-center for another. For instance, what’s exactly suited for a general audience of outsiders is unsuited (and boring) for insiders who know the technical language. Likewise, somebody who has asked you a question will simply be irritated if you spend half your report repeating the question; but on the other hand somebody who doesn’t even know what the question was will be lost if you don’t repeat it.

In assessing your audience you should determine the answers to two questions: (1) ...