ABSTRACT
As we compose, we make choices and select from among the options available to us in response to our purpose and audience. As you work on an assignment as part of a course, for example, you are no doubt conscious of who is going to read and mark it, what the question requires, what you think you are going to say and how you might most effectively communicate this. Whilst the form and the Harvard referencing are probably non-negotiables, alongside perhaps the font size and pagination, you will still be making decisions about content, tone and style, and will still have to find the words to convey your understanding, critically reviewing others’ arguments in order to shape your own. In other less formal situations, when sending a card of congratulations to a friend, for example, you may feel free to be more playful, adding personal notes, drawings or additional exclamation marks to convey your message.
