Who is talking to whom? Linguistic cues for engaging with the audience

Abstract

In this paper we explore the options writers can use for establishing and maintaining the relationship with their audience, including the options concerning the choice of terminology, appraisal, subjectivity, rhetorical moves. We illustrate the study with examples used in several domains and designed for different audiences, such as general-purpose and specialised automotive articles, software documentation and labels for museum artefacts in several styles.