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I'm writing a literature analysis essay on a play and was wondering which word I would use to describe the people viewing/reading the play.

I'm used to the word reader(s) as I have wrote essays for stories and novels but was unsure if this needed to be swapped for a word like viewer when writing about a play.

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You read a script and watch or attend a performance. You and your fellow readers are the readership. You and your fellow attendees are the audience.

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  • The way a written play looks on the page and the way it sounds when pronounced are vastly different. Be specific whether you're talking about readers, performers, or audience.
    – John Lawler
    Commented Mar 8, 2023 at 22:33
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I would probably use the word "Audience" because audience could be somebody viewing, or reading the play

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  • Would you really think of yourself as the audience if you're sitting at home reading a play?
    – KillingTime
    Commented Mar 8, 2023 at 22:46
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    Hi, this would benefit from a source or citation. Please take a moment to tour the site and see the EL&U help center.
    – livresque
    Commented Mar 9, 2023 at 0:34
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    Hi Nyanza, this has already been suggested in the existing answer. Please take the Tour to familiarize yourself with this platform. You can upvote answers you agree with or find useful. Welcome to ELU!
    – Joachim
    Commented Mar 9, 2023 at 9:33

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