Business Writing · Lesson Plan

Understanding Audience Psychology

A good speech or message is audience-centered — built with a specific audience in mind. This public-speaking lesson teaches the three things true of every audience (egocentrism, frame of reference, and identification) and how to analyze an audience’s demographics and situation so your message actually lands. A strong companion to the communication and persuasive-writing lessons.

Grades 9–12 Lesson Plan 45–60 minutes Free Lesson Plan Lesson & Activity: Full Membership

Understanding audience psychology lesson illustration

For Teachers

Lesson at a glance

Topic: Business Writing
Grade Level: Grades 9–12
Resource Type: Lesson + Worksheet
Estimated Time: 45–60 minutes
Format: Lesson + activity
Materials: Printable lesson, worksheet, pencils

What Students Learn

Learning objectives

Explain why a message must be audience-centered
Describe egocentrism, frame of reference, and identification
Analyze an audience’s demographics and situation
Adapt a message to a specific audience
Build identification with an audience

Materials

What you’ll need

Printed lesson and activity (one per student)
Pencils
Whiteboard

Key Terms

Vocabulary

Audience-centered: Created with the specific audience in mind.
Egocentrism: Audience members care most about what affects them.
Frame of reference: The lens of experience through which someone interprets a message.
Identification: Forming a bond between speaker and audience.
Demographics: Facts about an audience, like age or occupation.
Situational: Audience characteristics tied to the specific occasion.

For Teachers

Lesson plan

Estimated time: one 45–60 minute class period.

Lesson sequence

Audience-centered (10 min). Why effective speakers build messages for a specific audience.
Audience 101 (15 min). Egocentrism, frame of reference, and identification.
Analyze (13 min). Demographic vs. situational characteristics.
Activity (12 min). Students adapt a message for two different audiences.

Assessment

Assess the activity for sound audience analysis and a message adapted to each audience.

Discussion

Discussion questions

Why must a message be audience-centered?
What three things are true of every audience?
What is a frame of reference?
How does identification make an audience more receptive?
How would you adapt a message for two different groups?

Printable Lesson & Worksheet