Final answer:
Audience characteristics like attention, intelligence, self-esteem, and age influence how a message is received and understood. Cultural sensitivity and understanding an audience's expectations are essential for effective communication. Tailoring language, details, and rhetorical strategies to fit the audience's demographics and psychographics ensures a persuasive and engaging message.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some audience characteristics that may affect how audience members attend, comprehend, and react to a message include attention, intelligence, self-esteem, and age. In terms of persuasion, these factors are significant. An audience must be paying attention to be swayed effectively. It is noted that individuals with lower intelligence are typically more easily persuaded than those with higher intelligence; moreover, people with moderate self-esteem levels tend to be more persuadable compared to those with extremely low or high self-esteem. Additionally, demographics such as age can have an influence, with younger adults aged 18-25 being more susceptible to persuasion than their older counterparts.
Cultural sensitivity and audience expectations also play crucial roles. The cultural context of the audience determines appropriate vocabulary and the amount of information required for effective communication. Awareness of an audience's attitudes, beliefs, cultures, and values assists in understanding the extent to which the message must convince the audience. Moreover, assessing the rhetorical strategy and devices that will resonate with a specific audience is essential.
Every aspect of speech and communication must be tailored to fit the particular audience according to their demographics and psychographics. Being cognizant of the audience's background, learning style, and degree of receptivity will help in crafting a message that is both compelling and convincing.