What is the best way to identify the intended audience of a speech
1. Analyze the speaker: Consider who the speaker is, their profession, background, and expertise. This information can give clues about the intended audience since they might be addressing people who share their interests or background.
2. Consider the event or venue: Where and in what context is the speech being given? A conference, a company meeting, or a public debate will have different target audience groups. The subject matter, theme, and the schedule can help identify the primary audience.
3. Look at the speech's content: Analyze the language, tone, terminology, and complexity of the speech. If the speech uses jargon or technical terms, it could be aimed at a specialized professional audience. If the language is simple and accessible, it is more likely to be aimed at a general audience.
4. Identify the speech's purpose or goals: What is the speaker trying to achieve with their speech? Is it to inform, persuade, entertain, or inspire? The goals can give hints about the intended audience, for example, a speech aimed at convincing people to take action would be directed at a specific group who have the ability to do so.
5. Examine the presentation style: How the speaker presents their ideas – through anecdotes, graphics, or data – can offer insights into the intended audience. A presentation with lots of visuals, for example, might be targeted at a younger audience or those unfamiliar with the topic.
6. Check for audience assumptions: Look for any assumptions the speaker makes about the audience during the speech. These might be in the form of expectations, shared beliefs, or prior knowledge. If the speaker assumes the audience has certain knowledge or experiences, this can indicate the intended audience.
7. Analyze audience engagement: If the speech is available as a recording or transcript, look for instances where the speaker directly addresses the audience or responds to their reactions. This interaction can reveal the intended audience's traits, values, and concerns.
8. Research the intended audience: If possible, find out who the intended audience actually was, e.g., from event information, attendee demographics, or feedback from attendees. This information can help confirm your assessments and offer deeper insights into who the speech was aimed at.