11 Understanding Audience and Purpose in Argumentative Writing

In high school, you may have become comfortable writing essays knowing your teacher was the sole audience. This familiarity might have led to a more informal, letter-like, or journal-entry style. However, argumentative essays demand a different approach. This chapter will explore the crucial role of audience and purpose in shaping effective arguments, emphasizing that your teacher, while the grader, is not the intended audience you should be writing to.

Beyond the Teacher: Imagining Your Reader

Writing to your teacher often leads to two common pitfalls. First, you might omit crucial information, assuming the teacher’s prior knowledge will fill in the gaps. Second, you might resort to using overly complex vocabulary, thinking it equates to intelligence, when it often just sounds forced and unnatural. Instead, most professors recommend envisioning your audience as educated peers—college students like yourself, but outside your specific class. This helps you strike the right balance in tone and information.

Visualizing Your Audience: The “Brick Wall” and Beyond

Let’s explore some ways to visualize your audience and anticipate their reactions. Have you ever been told you could argue with a brick wall? This analogy highlights the challenge of argumentative writing: you present your case without immediate verbal or visual feedback. You must strive to be convincing despite this lack of interaction. However, the “brick wall” analogy can be misleading. It’s not about stubbornly repeating your position. It’s about persuasion. A more fitting analogy might be someone who could “sell ice to Eskimos”—someone with exceptional persuasive skills.

Since you’re not getting that immediate feedback, you must anticipate what your “brick wall” reader is thinking. Their reactions determine your success. The first reaction you should expect is a skeptical “Huh?” This signals that you need to explain yourself more clearly and thoroughly. As you elaborate, expect the next reaction to be “No”—disagreement. You’re not writing to fans; you’re trying to convince those who are, at least initially, resistant to your viewpoint.

Imagine writing to someone who loves to disagree, who might argue about even the most obvious facts. This mindset will push you to craft the strongest possible argument. After the “No,” the best you can likely hope for is a hesitant “Hmm.” They’re not completely convinced, but they’re considering your perspective. This is a partial victory. Getting someone who initially disagrees to even think about your argument is a significant achievement.

The Power of the Conclusion: Leaving a Lasting Impression

However, your work isn’t done yet. Your conclusion is crucial. It’s your final opportunity to leave a lasting impression. A weak or abrupt conclusion will allow your argument to fade from the reader’s mind. You need to provide something for them to continue thinking about, to keep the conversation going even after they’ve finished reading.

Alternative Visualizations: The Phone Call

If the “brick wall” analogy doesn’t resonate, consider another scenario: a phone conversation with someone who offers minimal feedback. They signal agreement or disagreement, but don’t elaborate much. You can tell they’re not convinced, but you lack the visual cues of body language and facial expressions. This forces you to work harder to anticipate their unstated objections and strengthen your argument.

Key Takeaways: Writing with Purpose and Audience in Mind

Remember these essential points:

1. Your essay is not a diary: It’s a structured argument intended for a specific audience. Aim for a level of quality suitable for publication in a journal or magazine. This will elevate your writing.
2. Your audience is not composed of fans: You’re writing to persuade, which means addressing potential objections and counterarguments. 
3. Convincing requires effort: You can’t simply state your opinion and expect agreement. You must provide evidence, reasoning, and address potential counterarguments. Understanding your audience and writing with a clear purpose—to persuade—is essential for effective argumentation.

Reading Questions:

1. Remembering: According to the chapter, what are two common pitfalls students fall into when writing essays aimed solely at their teacher?
2. Understanding: Explain the “brick wall” analogy as it is used in the chapter to describe the challenges of argumentative writing.
3. Application: The chapter suggests envisioning your audience as “educated peers.” How does this shift in perspective affect the vocabulary and information you include in your essay?
4. Analysis: Why does the chapter emphasize that the first reaction you should expect from your reader is a skeptical “Huh?”
5. Synthesis: How does the chapter suggest using the conclusion to leave a lasting impression on the reader, and why is this important?
6. Evaluation: Based on the information in the chapter, what conclusions can you draw about the importance of considering audience and purpose in argumentative writing?