To help sharpen your students' recognition of the audience for a piece of writing, try this activity.

1. Obtain copies of many different types of magazines.
2. Divide the class into groups of three to four students each.
3. Give each group two to three magazines.
4. Instruct the groups to look through the magazines to determine the audience for each.
5. Have each group prepare a short description of whom they think the intended audience is for each magazine, making sure they explain why they thought this.
6. Have the groups orally share their thoughts and reasons.
7. Display the magazines and written pieces in the classroom for all to browse at their leisure.