Matching Language to Audience

Every time you speak, someone is listening. That person or group is called your audience. Your audience might be your teacher, your little brother, a new classmate, or a store clerk. Before you say a word, it helps to picture exactly who is in front of you.

Different audiences need different words. You would not talk to a baby the same way you talk to your grandfather, and you would not talk to your principal the same way you talk to your best friend at recess. Looking at your audience first helps you pick the right words every time.

Along with your audience, think about your purpose, which is the reason you are speaking. Are you asking for help? Telling a joke? Giving a report to your class? Each purpose changes how careful and polite your words should be.

If your purpose is to ask an adult for directions, you need clear, polite words. If your purpose is to make your friend laugh at lunch, relaxed and silly words work just fine. Asking yourself "Who is listening?" and "Why am I talking right now?" gives you two clues for choosing your words.

Once you know your audience and purpose, you choose between two kinds of language. Formal language is careful, polite, and uses complete sentences. You use it with adults you do not know well, in important places, or when giving a presentation. Informal language is relaxed and friendly. You use it with friends, siblings, and family members you know well.

Look at how the same idea sounds different depending on the audience.

You can spot your audience by asking three small questions. First, do you know this person well? Second, is this person an adult or a kid your age? Third, are you in a quiet, important place or a relaxed, everyday place?

If you answer "I don't know them well," "they are an adult," or "we are somewhere important," those clues point to formal language. If you answer "I know them well," "they are a kid like me," or "we are somewhere relaxed," those clues point to informal language.

Picture each situation below and decide what kind of language fits the audience.

• Talking to a librarian you just met to ask for a book → formal language, such as "Excuse me, could you help me find a book about dinosaurs, please?"
• Talking to your cousin while playing a video game → informal language, such as "Watch out, there's a monster behind you!"
• Giving a short report in front of your class → formal language, with complete sentences and a clear, polite voice.
• Texting a joke to your best friend → informal language, with casual words like "lol" or "that's so funny."

Notice that the audience changes in each example, and the words change right along with it.

Audience: The person or people who are listening to you speak.

Purpose: The reason you are speaking, such as to ask, explain, or have fun.

Formal Language: Careful, polite words used with adults, strangers, or important places.

Informal Language: Relaxed, friendly words used with people you know well.

Related lessons

• Choosing Formal Informal Speaking Contexts