Audience is a group of people who read or interpret a piece of writing. The writer can either write to a specific audience in which they are trying to reassure the readers that their ideas and concepts are sound. A writer could also write to sway those who oppose their views in their own direction. The audience is a receptor to which the author is trying to convert their ideas or their beliefs to, whether the audience sides with their views or not. Lunsford sided with the idea that audiences prefer reassuring their preconceived notions while Estrem believes that the audience is reading to expand their own minds. These opinions differ, yet both forms of audience are necessary for the expansion of knowledge. Knowledge is the information expressed in the text.
Anzaldua's text reveals that more often than not audiences side with Lunsford's theory that they want their own ideas to be expressed through the texts of others. This was often displayed to her when English speaking people did not appreciate her Spanish words. Anzaldua expresses this idea when she discusses how she speaks to different people in different languages. For instance with certain people she speaks "Tex Mex" while with others she speaks "Pachuco." It all depends on her audience. Before this text I had not considered that using a certain language was that important in writing. I had not realized that there were so many different variations in a language and the need to use a certain variation when speaking to certain people.
Since reading these passages I believe that an audience can be more than those reading the work. It can also expand to those touched by the work that give the reader some kind of new found understanding or reassurance. The audience can have a connection to the author such as a common language or idea. I am confused as to how Anzaldua's sticking to Chicano approach helps her audience. Wouldn't it be more helpful if she adapted to her audience as opposed to making them change for her.
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