Page 193 - (DK) Help Your Kids with Language Arts

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GENRE, PURPO S E , AND A UDIENC E

GLO S S A RY REAL W OR L D
Adjective A describing word that tells Television audiences
the reader more about a noun.
Television advertising executives design
Colloquialism A word or phrase used
in informal speech. advertisements to appeal to their target
audience. For example, they might use actors
Fact A statement that can be proved.
who remind viewers of themselves. They will
Jargon Specialized terms that are
understood and used by a select, also aim to show the advertisements during
often professional, group of people. television programs that are related to their
Slang Words and phrases product. Thus, advertisements for new food
that are used in informal speech products might be shown during the break in
and often only understood by a a cooking show, because people who watch
select group of people. cooking shows are more likely to buy
food products.

In some languages, such as
A text written for a particular French, speakers use different
Teachers group of professionals can
use terms that only they
will understand. words depending on who they
Adults are talking to. For example, the
French word for “you” is tu in an
A piece written for a group
of people who believe in informal situation, but it is vous
Environmentalists something strongly can in a formal situation.
reinforce and flatter
their opinions.
AUDIENCE Audience

Something written for a
general audience should A nonfiction text always has a target audience.
be simple enough to be For example, it might be for adults, teenagers,
understood by everyone.
General public However, it should not be or children. It could be for people with a particular
patronizing, because it interest or specialized knowledge, or it may be
needs to appeal to adults designed to appeal to a general audience. The
as well as children. key aspects of the text need to be tailored to
Teenagers attract this target audience.

Audience Some common features
Young children Adults Sophisticated vocabulary, longer sentences, detailed
subject matter, smaller font size, longer pieces of
writing, formal tone and language
Young children Simple vocabulary, short sentences, larger font size,
simple subject matter, pictures and color to keep
them interested
Teenagers Slang, colloquial language, informal tone, humor,
subject matter that seems relevant to them

Professionals Jargon or specialized terms that are understood by them