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Texts are created so that people can experience them. In other words, they are created for an intended audience.
Texts are created so that people can experience them. In other words, they are created for an intended audience.
Audience (responder, reader, listener, viewer) - the persons a creator is hoping to engage through their work.
Introduction
Introduction
Different texts are created for different people: while some creators try to reach a wide audience, others prefer to serve niche groups that are interested in specific subjects.
When studying a given text, we should always think about who this text is for. Once we know who it is aimed at, we can better understand what it is trying to achieve, and evaluate how effectively it accomplishes this.
Types of Audiences
Types of Audiences
Let's judge some books by their covers to see if we can figure out who they are for.
Introduction to Electrodynamics, Fourth Edition. 2013. Griffiths, D. Wikipedia Commons.
Cover of issue #54 of Young Romance. 1954. Wikimedia Commons.
The Enemy: A Jack Reacher Novel. 2004. Lee Child. Fair Use.
The first cover shown here, Introduction to Electrodynamics, is of a book published in 2013. As the name suggests, it is about electrodynamics, and the image displays two equations related to this topic. The narrowness of the subject matter suggests this book is for a niche audience—most likely university students or professionals in this field.
The second cover is for issue number 54 of Young Romance, a compilation of love stories from 1954. The word "young" suggests the stories are for a younger audience, and the text "Danger! All lovers ... beware the poison pen!" suggests the content could be a little frightening. The image depicts a woman who is clearly impressed by a muscular man—a reminder that audience values change over time.
The final cover is for Lee Child's 2004 novel The Enemy. The image depicts a man standing by a large American flag, suggesting he is defending this symbol from the titular "enemy". The visuals and title suggest this is an action story aimed at older audiences who enjoy books in this genre.
Engaging Audiences
Engaging Audiences
We use the word "engaged" to refer to how effectively a text reaches its audience.
If the content of a text is of interest to the audience, and the elements and techniques used by the creator compel them to continue experiencing the text, we can say that this audience is engaged. We can imagine this audience leaning forward with their eyes wide open, eager to learn "what happens next" (just like you in English classes).
By contrast, if the audience has no interest in the topic, and the creator cannot invest them in the story or characters that are presented, the audience becomes disengaged. We can imagine this audience sitting back with their eyes glazed over, uninterested in whatever the text has to offer (just like you in maths classes).
Editor's Notes
Editor's Notes
I am always fascinated by creators who craft intricate, complex texts that are never intended for an outside audience.
Between 1819 and 1823, Spanish painter Francisco Goya created what are now known as The Black Paintings. Becoming deaf, fearing for his sanity, and increasingly disillusioned about the nature of humanity, Goya painted 14 images directly onto the interior walls of his home, never intending to share them with a wider audience.
From their colour palette to the themes they explore, the paintings are in every sense, dark, and they are vastly different from the more traditional paintings Goya created earlier in his career.
The Black Paintings fascinate me because, without the need to appeal to a commercial audience, Goya was able to craft pieces of art that truly reflected his outlook on the world. While his creations are undeniably bleak, they are nonetheless beautiful, and fascinating to reflect upon.
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