Purposive Communication: Modules 7 to 11 Core Concepts

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering key terms and concepts across Modules 7 through 11 for Purposive Communication.

"How Might We" (HMW) Question

A specific framing tool used by communicators to analyze the target audience's experience and needs before selecting a digital output or format.

Goldilocks Rule

A framing check used to ensure a "How Might We" question is "Just Right"—neither too broad nor too narrow—to properly guide a digital output.

Digital and Multimedia Communication

The practice of selecting and designing digital media formats (such as videos, infographics, podcasts, and interactive slides) tailored to a specific communication goal and user attention span.

Informational Clarity

A principle of writing where message content is easily understood, clear, and free from confusing language or messy ordering.

Objectivity

A writing quality grounded in facts and logical structure, stripped of emotional noise, personal bias, and vague details.

Logical Sequencing

Presenting informational steps in a logical, step-by-step order so the reader can follow and complete a process without error.

Journey Map for Explanation

A 3-step planning framework that maps a reader's informational needs across preparation (prerequisites), core action (exact instructions), and verification (danger/warning points).

Unity

The structural pillar of a paragraph requiring every supporting sentence to stick strictly to one single core idea or topic sentence from beginning to end.

Coherence

The structural quality of a paragraph where sentences flow smoothly and logically into one another using clear order and transitional devices.

Development

The structural pillar where the main point of a paragraph is fully explained and supported with sufficient facts, examples, or evidence.

Topic Sentence

The introductory sentence of a paragraph that clearly introduces the main idea or core point.

Supporting Sentences

The middle sentences of a paragraph that explain, prove, or develop the main idea using details and examples.

Concluding Sentence

The final sentence of a paragraph that wraps up the discussion or reinforces the main topic.

Plagiarism

An academic integrity violation involving the copying or theft of another person's words, data, or intellectual ideas without proper attribution.

Direct Quoting

Copying an author's exact words word-for-word without changing a single letter, wrapped in quotation marks, and accompanied by an in-text citation.

Paraphrasing

Rewriting an author's specific ideas entirely in one's own unique sentence structure and vocabulary, accompanied by an in-text citation without quotation marks.

Summarizing

Condensing a long section of text, chapter, or whole article down to a brief overview in one's own words, focusing only on key ideas and including a source citation.

Patchwriting

A flawed attempt at paraphrasing where a writer merely swaps a few vocabulary words while retaining the original text's exact sentence structure, which is classified as plagiarism.

Ethos

A mode of persuasion that relies on appealing to authority, character, clean record, or professional credibility.

Pathos

A mode of persuasion that appeals to emotions, feelings, and personal sympathy.

Logos

A mode of persuasion grounded in logic, factual data, statistics, and sound reasoning.

Insight Statement Formula

A structured framework used to build an audience-centered persuasive thesis statement connecting a real human need to a logical solution.

Justification

The process of proving or defending a proposed solution using objective evidence, data, and logical reasoning rather than emotional complaints.