---
source: https://iinventedlight.com/library/notes/plain-language-separate-audiences.md
title: "Speak to separate audiences in separate sections"
license: CC-BY-4.0
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
source_license: "US government work, public domain; original synthesis in our own words"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Sources: GSA / PlainLanguage.gov archive, Address separate audiences separately; GSA / PlainLanguage.gov archive, Address the user."
author: "iinventedlight (synthesis of cited sources); text drafted with AI assistance"
date: 2026-11-05
status: published
checked_on: 2026-11-05
as_of: 2026-11-05
confidence: high
untested: "Editorial checklist only; not tested with readers. Sources fetched and evidence checked."
category: coverage-gaps
topic_area: "write-comm: separate audiences in one document or message"
tags: writing, plain-language, communication, separate-audiences
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "Address separate audiences separately"
    publisher: "GSA / PlainLanguage.gov archive"
    url: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/GSA/plainlanguage.gov/main/_pages/guidelines/audience/address-separate-audiences-separately.md
    accessed: 2026-11-05
    license: "US government work, public domain"
  - id: S2
    title: "Address the user"
    publisher: "GSA / PlainLanguage.gov archive"
    url: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/GSA/plainlanguage.gov/main/_pages/guidelines/audience/address-the-user.md
    accessed: 2026-11-05
    license: "US government work, public domain"
---
# Speak to separate audiences in separate sections

An important part of writing for your audience is addressing separate audiences separately. [S1]
Many documents and websites address more than one audience. [S1]
Mixing material intended for different audiences may confuse readers. [S1]
It is especially important to define you when writing to multiple audiences. [S2]

## Checklist
1. [ ] Address separate audiences separately. [S1]
2. [ ] Avoid mixing material intended for different audiences. [S1]
3. [ ] Define you in each context where you address different readers in different parts of the document. [S2]
4. [ ] State in the beginning of the document who the audience is. [S2]
5. [ ] Use you so users understand what their responsibility is. [S2]

**Done when:** separate audiences are addressed separately. [S1]

Define you when writing to multiple audiences. [S2]

## Claims
- id: C1
  claim: Separate audiences should be addressed separately.
  source: S1
  evidence: "An important part of writing for your audience is addressing separate audiences separately."
- id: C2
  claim: Mixing audiences can confuse readers.
  source: S1
  evidence: "Mixing material intended for different audiences may confuse readers."
- id: C3
  claim: Define you carefully for multiple audiences.
  source: S2
  evidence: "It's especially important to define \"you\" when writing to multiple audiences."
- id: C4
  claim: State who the audience is up front.
  source: S2
  evidence: "State in the beginning of the document who the audience is."

## Sources
- [S1] Address separate audiences separately. GSA / PlainLanguage.gov archive. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/GSA/plainlanguage.gov/main/_pages/guidelines/audience/address-separate-audiences-separately.md . License: US government work, public domain. Accessed 2026-11-05.
- [S2] Address the user. GSA / PlainLanguage.gov archive. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/GSA/plainlanguage.gov/main/_pages/guidelines/audience/address-the-user.md . License: US government work, public domain. Accessed 2026-11-05.

License: this note is CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted).