Reader expectations

Writing is difficult when you are unsure about who is reading your document. The more you know about your readers, the better chance you have of helping them understand and accept your message. Knowing your reader strengthens your position as the writer of a document. When thinking about your reader, it’s important to keep in mind:

your reader's familiarity with the subject matter and with the work of WHO—their background knowledge;
any possible reasons your reader may not accept your message (This may include barriers such as time and budget; it may also include differences in belief or values);
what your reader really needs from the document.

For example, in the case of donor reports, a typical reader expectation will be to determine how WHO’s programme has made a difference in the lives of individuals. The readers in this case will want to read about the impact of the programme, and they need to know how their contribution has helped. They do not want to read all about how many computers were purchased or how much fuel was consumed in the course of the programme; what they will be interested in is the programme’s impact, rather than its process.

One way to increase your awareness of your readers and their needs is to conduct a Reader Analysis. You have already considered the value of a reader analysis in Module 1. Now, you have a chance to apply this analysis to the report you are working on.