Chapter 1, Additional Exercise 2: Addressing the Audience of a Website

Chapter 1 says one characteristic of a technical document is that it addresses particular readers. Visit the website of a nonprofit organization (such as the American Cancer Society), a commercial site aimed at young people (such as MTV), and the site of a professional society (such as the American Chemical Society). In what ways have the creators of these websites shaped information for particular readers? What kind of information do they provide? What kind of information have they chosen not to provide? What can you infer about the intended audience for each site, based on the type of information provided and the way it is presented? Be prepared to share your findings with the class.