Determine the writer’s purpose and audience.

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How well a writer explains a concept can demonstrate how well the writer understands the concept. That is why this kind of writing is so frequently assigned in college courses. But it is also a popular genre outside of the classroom, where writers typically know more about the subject than their readers do. It is especially important to anticipate readers’ “So what?” question and excite their curiosity. When reading the concept explanations that follow, ask questions like these about the writer’s purpose and audience: