All features have specific target audience. Due to the specificity of the material in the text, the piece would be relevant to only a section of readers; people traveling to Dubai as tourists or traders. With this target in mind then, the article is able to address specific questions and queries that may arise from the targeted audience on the subject, specifically on traditions and culture of the people of Dubai . It tries to draw comparison between different cultures in relation to Islamic faith and her expectation. While the natives are mostly Muslims, visitors come from different cultures. These cultures therefore should not interfere with practice of Islam.
The article ‘Traditions and Cultures in Dubai’ is meant to educate and inform while entertaining the readers about the way of life in Dubai and what is expected of them when they make that trip to Dubai. When people are planning to visit a new place it is important to dig into as much information about the place, as possible. This piece tries to provide information for people intending to travel to Dubai. Being a business hub Dubai receives visitors from across the world and therefore the article would be relevant for publishing in any English newspaper or travel magazine from across the world.
Target Audience
Targeting travelers on business trip, the article endeavors to bring the picture of Dubai to people who have not been to Dubai. For those who have already visited the town, the article acts as a reminder of some of the things that would be expected to do and observe when visiting the city . It helps the visitors to select the kind of clothes that they must wear and the appropriate time to travel.
While many business people have very low concentration span when it comes to reading long stories, the article has been written coalescing all the facts required within a short piece while maintaining the attention of the reader. The choice of ‘Traditions and culture in Dubai’ is informed by many people who are intending to visit the region for purposes of trade. This therefore means that the target audience cuts across all cultures of society but must be people from the business class . This topic is specifically relevant for people traveling to Dubai. Being a busy business hub, information about Dubai would be vital for the people traveling to the country. This audience is ‘serious’ and may not have room for flashy writing. However, the story should not be boring but should have facts placed in an interesting way. This is a human interest story that is relevant to either business people or tourists.
Writing Techniques
The article has employed the use of a mixture of descriptive and narrative style of writing. This style of writing has been spiced with anecdotal evidence to make the story authentic and fascinating. However, facts and figures can sometimes be boring to read hence losing the concentration of the readers. To sustain the interest, the story must be entertaining. Using contrast and comparison of different cultures help the reader to identify their culture in terms of expectation of the law enforcers in Dubai. It also tries to outline consequences of not adhering to the law. While no one has any intention of being in conflict with law enforcers, it is lack of information that may lead some to breaking the law, though unknowingly. The mix of descriptive and narrative techniques bring out the picture of Dubai to the readers. Descriptive is relevant for specialized features writing for they are only facts that represented while narration help to link up facts that are presented in the article. The mixture is a piece that is both interesting to read and informative. The description must be able to draw a mental picture of the area and expectations of the hosts, the narration holds the attention of the readers throughout the entire article. The article tries to inform the readers using accurate information. The information has been presented in a good story line that flows from the beginning to the end.
Targeted Publication
This type of article is targeted on the travelers’ magazines or travel pages of periodical newspapers. This is an example of specialized feature. This type of feature, being timeless writing piece, they should be able to remain relevant for a long period of time. Very little information can change on this article over a long period of time. It can act as reference material for those people willing to travel to Dubai. People visiting the country should be aware of some of the things they are likely to encounter when in the country. From the culture to the traditions and observance of the holidays. This piece links historical facts and modern issues. For example, the origin and definition of Dubai in relation to other Emirates and other countries outside UAE and the Arab world.
The target audience of the article is foreigners and visitors of Dubai. These are people come from different countries with different cultures and having different beliefs; some of which could be in conflict with Islamic culture. Most of the visitors come from the Western countries that is predominantly Christian-faith oriented and the rest come Asia with Hinduism and Buddhism being dominant. The article tries to show the seriousness in with which the natives takes the Islamic religion. This prepares the visitors psychologically so that nothing takes them by surprise when they visit Dubai. Among the things that they should expect are strict religious practices that are potentially different from their faiths. While maintaining the need to have more visitors, Dubai authorities have necessitated the interaction of other cultures but not interference with the Muslim faith.
Writing Style
Using the narrative and descriptive style of writing, necessary facts are presented in an interesting and informative manner. The language of the area being written about should also be maintained. This is a travel article that has avoided the rigors of specific distances from one area to another as that was not in the scope of the article. The article was meant to only describe the traditions and culture of Dubai for people who are traveling to the region. This helps the visitors to avoid incidences of conflict with law enforcement or even embarrassment due to failure to follow simple traditions of the region.
Specialized writing that targets a specific group of people has special writing style. Writing an article like the one above, facts are not a choice but they should be presented in an interesting manner to hold the attention of the reader from the beginning to the end. It is the unfolding nature of facts that keeps the reader wanting to know more about this town. Among the issues that brings travelers problems when they visit a new country, is the conflict with law enforcers. People coming from different cultures may not know what to expect in Dubai. Using this article the visitors would be able to live accordance with the law based on the information given.
Conclusion
Specialized writing assumes the jargon of the discipline that it is talking about. This article which centers on traditions and culture in Dubai is targeting not the natives but foreigners visiting the country. It has taken into account the history of Dubai in relation to the other Emirates forming the UAE. Information about a place where one is visiting is important so as to understand the behavior and mannerisms of the natives. People who are traveling to new places, like those visiting Dubai for the first time, might find it difficult to acclimatize with the culture. However, having prior knowledge of what to expect would prepare visitors psychologically. For example the mode of dressing can be very embarrassing in such a conservative society. Remaining focused on the goal can help in hitting the target without coming into conflict with law enforcers. Bearing in mind the behavior and conduct expected of the visitors, the frequency of breaking the law is reduced. Visitors going to Dubai can trust information availed in this article in ensuring that they maintain law and order.
The style of writing and the chosen writing technique are appropriate in this type of article that target readers who are not out to be entertained with fuss. It is an article that presents the facts about a place in a simple a straight way. The article is good as reference material and as a guide for those people visiting Dubai either for the first time or come from cultures that could be in conflict with Islamic culture.
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