Thinking about Audience and Purpose Practice

Review the lesson for Thinking About Audience and Purpose Help.

Thinking about Audience and Purpose Practice

Practice 1

Practice 2

For this assignment, how would you describe your purpose?

Read Langston Hughes's essay "Salvation." In an essay, discuss the central conflict that Hughes describes. How does Hughes resolve that conflict?

Answers

Practice 1

1. Answers should mention a testing situation in which the scorers are not known to the test taker. There should be an explanation of the need to understand the test, especially its scoring rubric, in order to satisfy the requirements of the test.
2. 1. In this case, you have been given a specific audience for whom to write: a Martian. However, a person (teacher, evaluator, or scorer) will also read your essay. Keep both audiences in mind as you write.
   2. The fact that your audience is a Martian, coupled with his question, can lead to an assumption that he has little knowledge of America. He may not have any knowledge of the concept of democracy, for example, or of freedom of speech. In fact, he may not even understand the words country or nation. For this assignment, you will have to explain yourself carefully, assuming no prior knowledge from your audience.

Practice 2

Answers must include a verb that specifies the goal. For example:

My goal is to explain the conflict that Hughes felt and show how he resolved his conflict.