Final answer:
When writing a procedural document, the key question to address your audience correctly is "Who is my audience?" This guides the tailorization of writing style, organization, and content, considering the readers' knowledge, cultural context, and expectations for effective communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
When planning to write a procedural document, one should ask the question: "Who is my audience?" This is paramount to ensure that the writing style, language, and content are appropriately tailored to the readers' needs and expectations. Understanding your audience assists in determining the purpose of the writing, which impacts the organization and presentation of information. When addressing your audience, consider their existing knowledge on the subject, what they need to know, and the cultural context that might influence their understanding.
You should also consider questions related to audience engagement, such as:
- What organizational strategies will I use?
- How will I introduce and describe my topic using sensory language?
- Should I share personal anecdotes, examples, or ideas?
- How will I incorporate cultural context?
Moreover, the choice of media and the application of different modes or genres can significantly affect how your message is conveyed and understood. Therefore, it is critical to select the most effective media to communicate with your audience and to integrate various genres when helpful to reinforce your message.