It is also possible that a person is reading the text as a porer, but needs to
delve to help them with their task. For example, whilst poring through a text
they come across a reference to a case. In order to obtain a more
comprehensive understanding of it they wish to find and read any other parts
of the text that also discuss the case.
Middle Category
In addition there is a middle category of reader. This is constituted by a
person variously described as a browser, skipper, scanner, dabbler, dipper,
flipper or flicker. This category has characteristics, varying in its mix from
reader to reader, of both delver and porer. They may not be a rare bird (avis
rara) but they are a colourful one (avis infucata), not least because of the
labels that the writer has just bestowed upon them.
Tasks
Obviously the whole enterprise of writing is addressed to readers. In
consequence there are three tasks that specifically focus on readers. These are
outlined here and explained in more detail later.
First, it is necessary to identify (to know, or to estimate as well as possible)
the class or group into which the readers fall and the extent of their
understanding of the subject. This will influence heavily how the writer
addresses their readers. It determines what they write and the level to which
they write it. Second, once the class of readers and their level of understanding
have been identified, the writer must address their text to this class; they must
write the text in a way that this class can understand. Third, it may be that the
writer can extend the class of readers with only a little extra effort, so this
possibility needs to be considered.
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