Defining Research Needs

Understand the Assignment - Your Intended Audience

In determining the intended audience for your project find out who will actually view the finished version of your assignment. Your instructor may be your only audience, or you may be required to assume that others -- your classmates or a fictional audience -- will see your work. Sometimes the professor has a specific audience in mind. It is wise to ask!

Once you have determined who your audience (imaginary or real) will be, ask yourself the following:

• What does the audience already know and/or believe about this topic?
• What common ground do the audience and I share?
• What do I want my audience to know and/or believe?
• Why should the audience care about this topic?

Your answers to the above questions will help you to develop a research strategy and focus your writing.