Hampton Branch Library
Consider the Audience
RECEIVED Tue., March 28, 2006
Dear Editor,
Under your front-cover legend SXSW WRAP, I saw "Charlize Theron" and eagerly sought information about the actress I've respected tremendously since seeing her courageous, powerful performance in Monster. But I went through the issue three times without finding anything about Theron [Editor's note: There was a photo of Theron that ran with “The Long Goodbye,” Screens, March 24].
I'm only a tenured professor of English, so I sought the help of my husband, the real researcher in the family – an attorney. He gave up after about 15 minutes, as well.
I also sought in this issue enlightenment concerning the controversy about the auditor for the city of Austin. But the article was so snide [“Beside the Point,” News, March 24], and (I infer) assumed so much knowledge and attitude about the controversy – especially knowledge that supported the author's assessment of the situation – that I came away just as unenlightened about that matter as I was about Charlize Theron and SXSW.
Please. Consider what Aristotle advises about communication: consider audience. Your readers may not be exactly like you, but they deserve respect and need your consideration if you hope for them to share – or even understand – your position on an issue.
Under your front-cover legend SXSW WRAP, I saw "Charlize Theron" and eagerly sought information about the actress I've respected tremendously since seeing her courageous, powerful performance in Monster. But I went through the issue three times without finding anything about Theron [Editor's note: There was a photo of Theron that ran with “The Long Goodbye,” Screens, March 24].
I'm only a tenured professor of English, so I sought the help of my husband, the real researcher in the family – an attorney. He gave up after about 15 minutes, as well.
I also sought in this issue enlightenment concerning the controversy about the auditor for the city of Austin. But the article was so snide [“Beside the Point,” News, March 24], and (I infer) assumed so much knowledge and attitude about the controversy – especially knowledge that supported the author's assessment of the situation – that I came away just as unenlightened about that matter as I was about Charlize Theron and SXSW.
Please. Consider what Aristotle advises about communication: consider audience. Your readers may not be exactly like you, but they deserve respect and need your consideration if you hope for them to share – or even understand – your position on an issue.
June Chase Hankins