1027.1.1 : Understanding Purpose and Audience
The learner writes with a purpose for a given context and target audience.

Introduction

Effective writers know how to tailor their text for a specific purpose and a specific audience. For example, writers can choose to make an emotional appeal using simple language so that any audience can understand the message. Part of becoming a strong writer is analyzing how well or how poorly another author crafts a message, which will help one make stronger choices when it is time to communicate with others in a professional setting.

You will use the Task 1 Template located in the supporting documents section below the rubric to complete this task. First, you will choose a text from the provided list that you will analyze. Next, you will summarize the text and identify the text’s intended purpose and audience. Then, you will analyze the text’s context and the methods the author used to appeal to the audience.

Requirements

Your submission must represent your original work and understanding of the course material. Most performance assessment submissions are automatically scanned through the WGU similarity checker. Students are strongly encouraged to wait for the similarity report to generate after uploading their work and then review it to ensure Academic Authenticity guidelines are met before submitting the file for evaluation. See Understanding Similarity Reports for more information.

Grammarly Note:

Professional Communication will be automatically assessed through Grammarly for Education in most performance assessments before a student submits work for evaluation. Students are strongly encouraged to review the Grammarly for Education feedback prior to submitting work for evaluation, as the overall submission will not pass without this aspect passing. See Use Grammarly for Education Effectively for more information.

Microsoft Files Note:
Write your paper in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) unless another Microsoft product, or pdf, is specified in the task directions. Tasks may not be submitted as cloud links, such as links to Google Docs, Google Slides, OneDrive, etc.  All supporting documentation, such as screenshots and proof of experience, should be collected in a pdf file and submitted separately from the main file. For more information, please see Computer System and Technology Requirements.

You must use the rubric to direct the creation of your submission because it provides detailed criteria that will be used to evaluate your work. Each requirement below may be evaluated by more than one rubric aspect. The rubric aspect titles may contain hyperlinks to relevant portions of the course.

A. Compose an analysis using the Task 1 Template by doing the following:
1. Choose a piece of persuasive writing from the “Texts for Analysis” list within the template.
2. Analyze your chosen text by doing the following:
a. Summarize the text.
b. Discuss the author’s purpose for the text.
c. Explain the context of the text.
d. Describe the audience of the text.
e. Explain 2–3 appeals (i.e., logos, ethos, pathos) that are found within the text. For each type of appeal used in the text, include 1–2 examples.

B. Acknowledge sources, using in-text citations and references, for content that is quoted, paraphrased, or summarized.

C. Demonstrate professional communication in the content and presentation of your submission.

File Restrictions
File name may contain only letters, numbers, spaces, and these symbols: ! – _ . * ‘ ( )
File size limit: 200 MB
File types allowed: doc, docx, rtf, xls, xlsx, ppt, pptx, odt, pdf, csv, txt, qt, mov, mpg, avi, mp3, wav, mp4, wma, flv, asf, mpeg, wmv, m4v, svg, tif, tiff, jpeg, jpg, gif, png, zip, rar, tar, 7z
Rubric
A1:TEXT SELECTION
Not Evident
The submission does not select a piece of persuasive writing.
Approaching Competence
The submission selects a piece of persuasive writing, but it is not from the provided list.
Competent
The submission selects a piece of persuasive writing from the provided list.
A2a:SUMMARY
Not Evident
The submission does not include a summary of the text.
Approaching Competence
The submission includes a summary of the text, but the summary is missing essential details or contains inaccuracies.
Competent
The submission includes an accurate summary of the text, including all essential details.
A2b:PURPOSE
Not Evident
The submission does not discuss the author’s purpose for the text.
Approaching Competence

The submission discusses the author’s purpose for the text, but the discussion lacks specific details or contains inaccuracies.
Competent
The submission accurately discusses the author’s purpose for the text and includes specific details.
A2c:CONTEXT
Not Evident
The submission does not explain the context of the text.
Approaching Competence
The submission explains the context of the text, but the explanation contains inaccuracies or does not provide support for the explained context.
Competent
The submission accurately explains the context of the text and provides support for the explained context.
A2d:AUDIENCE
Not Evident
The submission does not describe the text’s audience.
Approaching Competence
The submission describes the text’s audience, but the descriiption of the audience is inaccurate or not specific.
Competent
The submission accurately describes the specific audience of the text.
A2e:APPEALS
Not Evident
The submission does not explain any appeals that are found within the text.
Approaching Competence
The submission explains only 1 appeal. Or the submission explains 2–3 appeals that are found within the text but does not include an example for each type of appeal explained. Or 1 or more of the examples do not demonstrate the explained type of appeal.
Competent
The submission explains 2–3 appeals that are found within the text, including 1–2 examples of each type of appeal explained. The examples appropriately demonstrate the explained type of appeal.
B:SOURCES

Not Evident
The submission does not include both in-text citations and a reference list for sources that are quoted, paraphrased, or summarized.
Approaching Competence
The submission includes in-text citations for sources that are quoted, paraphrased, or summarized and a reference list; however, the citations or reference list is incomplete or inaccurate.
Competent
The submission includes in-text citations for sources that are properly quoted, paraphrased, or summarized and a reference list that accurately identifies the author, date, title, and source location as available.
C:PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
Not Evident
This submission includes pervasive errors in professional communication related to grammar, sentence fluency, contextual spelling, or punctuation, negatively impacting the professional quality and clarity of the writing. Specific errors have been identified by Grammarly for Education under the Correctness category.
Approaching Competence
This submission includes substantial errors in professional communication related to grammar, sentence fluency, contextual spelling, or punctuation. Specific errors have been identified by Grammarly for Education under the Correctness category.
Competent
This submission includes satisfactory use of grammar, sentence fluency, contextual spelling, and punctuation, which promote accurate interpretation and understanding.
Supporting Documents

Task 1 Template.docx

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