What kind of relationship do you have with these readers? Do you know the readers’ attitude toward you, the subject matter you need to communicate, the job you have, and your area within the organization? Do you have credibility with these readers?

A host of factors determine your readers’ perception: education, family, geographical and cultural background, job responsibilities, rank in the organization, age, life experiences, and gender—just to name a few demographics that define how people see the world. How much your readers know about your topic determines what you say and the technical level of your presentation.