Writing for the target audience; designing and presenting attractive texts

1. For whom to write: possible target readers

For one’s own class or group: the texts (e. g. stories, poems) are read aloud to the class or distributed to 2–3 reading groups. For the student’s own class or group in form of presentations …

2. Methods and media for presenting written texts

Traditional form of presentation: the text is written in an exercise book. This is not very motivating, as it lacks the target audience. Theme-based collection of texts, such a holiday stories, jokes and recipes. …

3. Other forms of converting and presenting a text

Media-supported conversion as radio play, audio file, report, video clip, podcast, power point presentation, etc. Converting written text into scenes for poetry readings, theatre, sketch, dance, rap performances, etc.

Editing a text alone (and discussing it later with the instructor)

For whom to write: possible target readers

Goal: Writing is a communicative act, and students in the native language classroom should learn and understand this as well. They should learn how to attractively design and present their written heritage language texts in various forms. The instructor should, therefore, clearly indicate who the target reader is for the assigned writing task, and specify the format or the proposed product, if at all possible (i. e., a book, poster or video clip). Knowing the intended target audience, and the goal and product orientation, increases the students‘ motivation for the writing task and enhances their efforts to create formal and attractively designed texts. The students therefore know that they are not just writing for the teacher, but that their texts will actually have a real audience.

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Explanations, abbreviations
First language	Also mother tongue or family language: the first language a child has learned and speaks at home. Some children have two first languages.
School language	The language that is spoken in the schools of the host country. In addition, the local dialect may count as an environment language.
Abbreviations	S: Student T: Teacher (instructor)

Legend for indications referencing organizational form, class, time requirements concerning teaching proposals:
	IW = Individual Work
	WP = Working with a partner
	SG = Small Groups
	WC = Whole Class
2nd – 4th grade	Suitable for... to... (e.g. 2nd – 4th grade). Keeping in mind that this designation may vary according to the requirements of the individual students.
20 minutes	Approximate time requirement, e.g. 20 minutes. (Estimated time varies, must be determined by the instructor according to the level and the requirements of the class).

12. Writing for the target audience; designing and presenting attractive texts

1. For whom to write: possible target readers

2. Methods and media for presenting written texts

3. Other forms of converting and presenting a text

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