Looking out into the Audience

A writer should always "look out into the audience" figuratively speaking. Eliminating this crucial step could make the difference between an angry or confused audience. Using writing pattern techniques like direct and indirect patterns can make a message more clear, and make the audience more receptive. Employing an direct pattern in a message throws main point out first and elaborates later. The opposite is true for an indirect patten, which elaborates first and throws out the main point last. Direct and indirect patterns can be used appropriately and inappropriately. The proper use of these patterns can be audience-aware while improper use can be audience-negligent.

A prime example of the improper use of the direct pattern is the former US President George W. Bush and friends verbal and textual language about Hurricane Katrina.

"We've got a lot of rebuilding to do ... The good news is — and it's hard for some to see it now — that out of this chaos is going to come a fantastic Gulf Coast, like it was before. Out of the rubbles of Trent Lott's house — he's lost his entire house — there's going to be a fantastic house. And I'm looking forward to sitting on the porch." (Laughter) —President Bush, touring hurricane damage, Mobile, AL., Sept. 2, 2005 (Source)

"Considering the dire circumstances that we have in New Orleans, virtually a city that has been destroyed, things are going relatively  well." –FEMA Director Michael Brown,Sept. 1, 2005 (Source) 

In aftermath of Katrina, many victims look up to the current  governmental leaders for guidance and direction. They needed thoughtful discourses that acknowledged their pain and suffering. What they got were a steady stream of gruesome direct pattern quotes that were received as a slap in the face. Had these governmental officials used indirect patterns to create their sentences history would have treated them differently. Their sentences came out as rude and unconscious doublespeak; sentences and quotes that will forever put them down in history as the incompetent leaders.

When used correctly direct patterns can cause happiness and excitement. For example, Mac earnings since the ipod was rolled out. Stockholders would welcome news like "We have tripled our earnings, and look forward to furthering innovation boundaries."

Real life quote from Mac's 2011 Quarter 1 Earnings:

“We established a new quarterly record with sales of 4.13 million Macs, representing 23 percent growth over the year ago quarter. That is almost eight times IDC’s most recently published estimate of 3 percent growth for the PC market….The growth was fueled primarily by strong demand for the new MacBook Air.”

 Wouldn't this quote sound like music if you were a Mac stockholder?!?

Remember to always look into the audience....