When reading the proposals in this chapter, ask yourself the following questions about the writer’s purpose and audience:
What seems to be the writer’s main purpose—for example, to convince readers that the problem truly exists and needs immediate action; to persuade readers that the writer’s proposed solution is better than alternative solutions; or to rekindle readers’ interest in a long-standing problem?
What does the writer assume about the audience—for example, that readers will be unaware of the problem; that they will recognize the existence of the problem but fail to take it seriously; that they will think the problem has already been solved; or that they will prefer an alternative solution?