Final answer:
A writer considering the interests, goals, ages, and education levels of their readers is focusing on their audience. This knowledge helps tailor the message to ensure it is relevant and engaging. Identifying the audience influences the writing style, choice of genre, and communication strategies used.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a writer is considering questions such as, "What are the interests and goals of the people reading this paper? What are their ages? Are they formally educated?", they are thinking about their audience. Understanding the audience is crucial for crafting a message that is relevant, engaging, and appropriate in terms of complexity, vocabulary, and content. Writers need to contemplate who their primary and possibly secondary audiences are, to shape their writing effectively. Considerations might include the cultural background of the audience, the context in which they will read the work, and the specific genre and media being used to communicate the message.
Questions about audience ensure that the paper is targeted correctly to its readers. This helps determine how to approach various elements, like reasoning strategies, writing techniques, and choosing the right level of detail. Ultimately, this leads to enhanced communication and a better reception of the writer's message. It's important to engage the audience with strategies that consider their knowledge and beliefs, and to demonstrate understanding of their cultural context. Recognizing the audience's needs and expectations is key to effective writing.