Effective Communication and Intercultural Communication Review

Practice flashcards covering text structure, paragraph properties, transitional devices, formality levels, personal narrative writing, communication repair strategies, and cultural frameworks.

What is the definition of a paragraph?

A series of organized, coherent sentences focused on a single topic, where the first line is typically indented, and every sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with proper punctuation.

What are the three main parts of a paragraph?

Introduction, Body, and Conclusion.

What is the purpose of the Introduction in a paragraph?

It contains the topic sentence, background information, or transitional context.

What is the function of the Body of a paragraph?

It discusses the controlling idea using details, facts, or examples.

What is the purpose of the Conclusion in a paragraph?

It summarizes the relationship between the body details and the controlling idea.

How is Organization defined as a property of a well-written text?

The logical arrangement of ideas in a defined order.

What is Coherence in text construction?

The overall oneness where all relevant ideas stick together smoothly, often aided by transitional devices.

What is Cohesion in text construction?

Sentence-level grammatical unity ensuring clarity and logical flow.

What does Language Use refer to in a well-written text?

Choosing tone and words suited to the audience and purpose.

What does Mechanics cover in text formatting?

The correct application of punctuation, spelling, formatting, capitalization, abbreviations, and numerals.

What are transitional devices and what is their primary function?

Words or phrases used to maintain coherence in a text by signaling shifts or changes of subtopics, connecting sentences and paragraphs so ideas stick together logically.

What function do transitional devices like "furthermore," "moreover," and "in addition" serve?

Addition of Ideas, used to introduce extra supporting points.

What category of transitional devices includes words like "above," "behind," "beyond," and "adjacent to"?

Space and Place, used to indicate location or spatial direction.

What category of transitional devices includes words like "as a result," "hence,"

Result, used to show cause-and-effect relationships.

What function do transitional devices like "above all," "first and foremost," and "indeed" serve?

Intensify, used to emphasize a point.

What are the three text arrangements described in the text?

Chronological (timelines, processes, stories), Spatial (visual or sensory scenes), and Importance (persuasion and priority ranking).

What are the characteristics of the Familiar level of formality?

Intended for friends and family; slang, abbreviations, and fragments are allowed.

How does the Casual formality level differ from the Familiar level?

Casual is intended for acquaintances and allows slang, but excludes inside jokes.

What are the guidelines for the Semi-Formal level of formality?

Intended for superiors or blogs; follows standard rules and allows contractions, but no slang.

What are the guidelines for the Formal level of formality?

Intended for academic or business settings; uses an impersonal tone with no contractions, idioms, or slang.

What is Objective Narration and where is it essential?

Narration using factual information and accurate language to chronologically tell verifiable events; essential in legal or medical contexts.

What is Subjective Narration?

A narration that presents a story based mainly on personal feelings and impressions.

What is a personal narrative?

A subjective, first-person (I, me, we) account of true experiences focused on a single incident, combining storytelling elements with sensory details and chronological time signals.

What are the essential writing guidelines for personal narratives?

Focus on a single, specific incident rather than a full life biography, select relevant details that support the focus, arrange events chronologically using sequence/time signal words, and maintain a natural, authentic tone ("voice").

What are three examples of misunderstanding triggers related to communication roadblocks?

Criticism, defensiveness, and silent treatment.

What are the five repair strategies used to resolve conversation breakdowns?

Requesting Clarification, Repeating/Rephrasing, Employing Self-Correction, Acknowledging Errors, and Nonverbal Cues.

How do Open-Ended questions differ from Close-Ended questions?

Open-Ended questions are used for detailed perspectives or feelings (e.g., "How did that make you feel?"), while Close-Ended questions are used for quick yes/no answers or facts (e.g., "Are you still upset?").

How is Society defined in the context of communication and culture?

A community living in a region, connected by social institutions such as family, education, and economy.

How is Culture defined?

Shared ways of living, languages, food, values, and traditions forming an identity.

What is the difference between High-Context Cultures and Low-Context Cultures?

High-Context Cultures utilize an indirect, nonverbal, collectivist, and non-confrontational communication style, whereas Low-Context Cultures utilize a direct, explicit, individualistic, and logic-driven communication style.