Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Key Terms
Key Terms
Cultural convergence: A lessening of group differences and a trend toward greater global
similarity particularly in higher individualism and lower power distance.
Culture: The complex system of values, traits, morals, and customs shared by a society.
Empathetic listening: Listening in an effort to see the world through another’s eyes, be
less judgmental, and seek common ground.
Gig economy: A sector of the labor market that relies on free agents hired on a project
basis or doing short-term independent work.
Mindful: Being fully present in an effort to build trust and gain respect.
Sharing economy: An economic model in which individuals rent or borrow assets owned
by others through disrupting services such as Uber, Lyft, Bird, Lime, Spin, and Airbnb.
Speech-thought differential: The difference between our rate of speaking and our rate of
listening/thinking.
Empathy: Trying to see the world through another’s eyes, being nonjudgmental and eager
to seek common ground.
Encoding: Converting the idea of a sender into words or gestures that will convey meaning.
Richness: Involves the extent to which a channel or medium recreates or represents all the
information available in the original message.
Comma splice: A sentence error that results when a writer joins two independent clauses
with a comma.
Dangling modifier: A modifier dangles when the word or phrase it describes is missing
from its sentence (e.g., pressing the wrong key, the document suddenly disappeared).
Direct strategy: An organizational strategy that describes an order in which the main idea
comes first, followed by details, an explanation, or evidence; used when the writer expects
the reader to be pleased, mildly interested, or neutral.
Dovetailed: A technique consisting of an idea at the end of one sentence that connects
with an idea at the beginning of the next.
Frontloading: Another name for the direct method, which places the main idea first.
Indirect strategy: An organizational strategy that describes placing the main idea later in a
message, after the details, explanation, or evidence; used when the writer expects the
reader to be uninterested, unwilling, displeased, or hostile.
Mind mapping: A brainstorming process to generate and sort ideas using visual concepts
such as a tree with branches illustrating connected ideas.
Misplaced modifier: A modifier is misplaced when the word or phrase it describes is not
close enough to be clear; for example, A wart appeared on my left hand that I want
removed.
Passive voice: Sentences in which the subject is acted upon, such as The message was
posted by Shawn.
Run-on (fused) sentence: A sentence error that results when two independent clauses are
incorrectly joined (fused) together without a conjunction or a semicolon; also called a fused
sentence.
Secondary Data: Data that comes from reading what others have experienced or
observed and written about.
Supporting sentences: Sentences that illustrate, explain, or strengthen the topic sentence.
Topic sentence: A sentence that tells readers what to expect and helps them understand
the paragraph’s central thought immediately.
Cloud: The storing and accessing of data along with software applications in remote
networks (the cloud).
Crowdsourcing: Asking the public or employees to share their feedback in order to solve
business problems.
Dark web: The black market of the Internet, a mostly illicit network of websites that cannot
be accessed by standard search engines and browsers.
Deepfakes: Doctored video footage that makes people seem to say or do something they
did not do.
Disinformation: False news stories, doctored narratives, and propaganda spread on social
media to confuse and incite the public.
Doxxing: A form of bullying committed with digital devices aimed at scaring, angering, or
shaming victims.
Evangelize: To advocate for brands and services in exchange for compensation and perks.
Fake news: News stories that have no factual basis but are presented as facts; in partisan
politics, unwelcome evidence that some find uncomfortable because it clashes with their
convictions.
Influencers: Influential plugged-in opinion leaders who boast large online audiences and
followers.
Instant messaging (IM): Enables two or more individual to use the Internet or an intranet
to chat in real time by exchanging brief text-based messages.
Phishing: The fraudulent use of e-mail, instant messaging, and texting to persuade
recipients to disclose personal information.
Podcast: A digital audio file that is distributed over the Internet and usually downloaded on
smart electronic devices; formed from the words broadcasting and iPod.
Post-truth era: Circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public
opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.
Presence functionality: A benefit of instant and text messaging that enables coworkers to
locate each other online, thus avoiding wild goose chases hunting someone who is out of
the office.
Propaganda: Untruths often planted by bots and fake accounts to divide Americans,
disrupt public discourse, and even interfere in democratic elections.
Rich communication services (RCS): A new system offering advanced features such as
multi-media enhanced texting.
Short message service (SMS): A service provided by a cell phone service provider or a
voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) service that makes texting possible.
Text messaging/texting: Exchanging brief messages in real time, usually delivered from a
smartphone; also called texting.
Troll: Social media users who fake their identity, provoke arguments, and disrupt
discussions.
Think critically: Voicing opinions that are backed by solid reasons and factual evidence.
Viral marketing: The rapid spread of messages online, much like the spread of infectious
diseases that pass from person to person.
Virtual private network (VPN): Secure access to an organization’s information from any
location in the world that provides an Internet connection.
Wearable devices (wearables): Wearable technology such as heart rate monitors, fitness
trackers, smartwatches, and skin response sensors that enables companies to monitor
worker productivity and lifestyles.
Business reports: Varying greatly in length, content, form, and formality level, they all have
one or more of the following purposes: to convey information, answer questions, and solve
problems.
Conference reports: Also referred to as trip reports, they often inform management about
business trends, new procedures, innovative equipment, legal requirements, or other
information that would affect their products, operations, and service.
Functional headings: One- or two-word labels that show the outline of a report but
provide little insight about the contents.
Letter format: Contains a date, inside address, salutation, and complimentary close and
usually longer and more carefully organized than typical letters.
Manuscript format: Usually printed on plain paper without letterhead or memo header,
they begin with a title followed by systematically displayed headings and subheadings.
Memo format: Reports that begin with essential background information, using standard
headings: Date, To, From, and Subject and differing from regular memos in length, use of
headings, and deliberate organization.
Portable document format (PDF): A file type, invented by Adobe, that condenses
documents while preserving the formatting and graphics.
Problem statement: Helps clarify the task and defines the report’s purpose and scope.
Progress reports: Also known as interim reports, they describe the status of continuing
projects.
Purpose statement: Defines the focus of a report and provides a standard that keeps the
project on target.
Secondary data: Comes from reading what others have experienced or observed and
recorded.
Summary: Compresses the main points from a book, report, article, website, meeting, or
convention.
Talking headings: Designed to provide information and spark interest.
Templates: Digital forms usually made available on the company intranet or the Internet
and suitable for repetitive data, such as monthly sales reports, performance appraisals,
merchandise inventories, and personnel and financial reports.
Trip reports: Also referred to as conference reports, they often inform management about
business trends, new procedures, innovative equipment, legal requirements, or other
information that would affect their products, operations, and service.
Yardstick reports: Examines problems with two or more solutions to determine the best
solution.
Appendixes: Part of proposal, business plan, or formal business report that contains
ancillary material of interest only to some readers.
Area charts: (also called segmented line charts) Illustrate how the components of a
whole change over time.
Back matter: Includes a reference section and one or more appendixes; the reference
section includes a list of sources, and the appendix contains supplemental information or
source documents.
Bar charts: Enable writers to make emphatic visual comparisons by using horizontal or
vertical bars of varying lengths.
Browser: A software application that connects to servers and displays their webpages.
Budget: The section of a proposal that lists the proposed project costs; can also be called a
statement of costs.
Citation formats: A way to direct readers to your sources with parenthetical notes
inserted into the text and with bibliographies.
Contract cheating: Buying essays and other papers on demand on the Internet.
Database: A collection of searchable information stored digitally so that it is accessible by
computer or mobile devices.
Front matter: Refers to the preliminary sections before the body section.
Formal report: A document in which a writer analyzes findings, draws conclusions, and
makes recommendations intended to solve a problem; is the product of thorough
investigation or analysis; and presents organized information to decision makers in
business, industry, government, and education.
Letter proposal: A proposal presented in manuscript format (usually no more than ten
pages) or in a short (two- to four-page) letter; sometimes called informal proposal.
Limitations: As part of the scope statement, these further narrow the subject by focusing
on constraints or exclusions.
MLA Style: Modern Language Association, an organization determining the format of using
and listing sources of research in the humanities.
Observation: A way of gathering primary data by viewing individuals and/or organizations
firsthand.
Organization charts: Provide such information as who reports to whom, how many
subordinates work for each manager (the span of control), and what channels of official
communication exist.
Outline: A way of organizing your ideas by arranging your main topics and subtopics.
Paraphrasing: Restating an original passage in your own words and in your own style.
Pie charts: Enable readers to see a whole and the proportion of its components, or
wedges.
Plagiarism: The unethical, and in some cases illegal, act of using others’ ideas without
proper documentation.
Primary sources: Information and data authors gather themselves from firsthand
experience. Interviews, observations, surveys, questionnaires, and meetings.
Problem statement: Helps clarify the task and defines the report’s purpose and scope.
Purpose statement: Defines the focus of a report and provides a standard that keeps the
project on target.
Request for proposal (RFP): Prepared by firms and governmental agencies when they
know exactly what they want; the RFP specifies their requirements and solicits competitive
bids from vendors.
References: Lists all sources consulted in the research project; called References if using
APA style.
Research: The methodical search for information relevant to the report topic.
Scope statement: Prepares the audience by clearly defining which problem or problems
will be researched and analyzed.
Search engine: Scans hundreds of millions of webpages to locate the desired content.
Secondary research: The use of existing data that result from reading what others have
published, experienced, or observed.
Secondary sources: Information that has been previously compiled, analyzed, and, in
most cases, published.
Segmented line charts: (also called area charts) Illustrate how the components of a
whole change over time.
Survey: A method of gathering information from a sample of people, usually with the goal
of generalizing the results to a larger audience.
Table of contents: The part of a proposal, business plan, or formal business report that
shows all headings and their beginning page numbers.
Works Cited: Lists all sources consulted in the research project; called Works Cited if using
MLA style.
Blueprint slide: A slide that provides an overview of major points and later provides
transitions as the speaker moves from point to point.
Chartjunk: Crowded or otherwise poorly prepared multimedia slides and other unclear
graphics.
Rapport: A feeling of mutual trust and respect; a bond established between the speaker
and audience.
Visual clichés: Overused templates and clip art that come preinstalled with PowerPoint,
Canva, and Prezi and can weary viewers who have seen them repeatedly in presentations.
Key Terms
Applicant tracking system (ATS): Software that helps organizations automatically post job
openings, screen résumés, rank candidates, and generate interview requests.
Big Five: An assessment tool which groups people into five personality types (openness,
conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism).
Chronological résumé: A résumé that lists work history job by job, starting with the most
recent position.
Elevator pitch: A concise speech that job seekers can give in 60 seconds or less describing
who they are and what they can offer.
Functional résumé: A résumé that focuses attention on a candidate’s skills rather than on
past employment; also called a skills résumé.
Headline: In the context of LinkedIn, a type of tagline or branding slogan, a short phrase
that sums up a user’s professional self. It should include keywords in the field and a brief
description of what the job seeker wants.
Myers–Briggs Type Indicator: A useful tool for self-analysis before a job search measuring
personality, interests, skills, and values; divides people into four temperaments (guardian,
idealist, rational, and artisan.
PDF (portable document format): A file type invented by Adobe that condenses
documents while preserving the formatting and graphics.
Plain-text format: An electronic version of a résumé that is saved with .txt file type;
suitable for e-mailing or pasting into online résumé bank submission forms.
Ghosting: Rejection by cutting off all communication and vanishing, considered a rude and
cowardly practice, depriving the other of closure.
Group interview: A type of job interview in which many candidates are interviewed
together; also may refer to multiple hiring managers interviewing one candidate
individually.
Live video interview/two-way video interview: Also called two-way video interview, a two-
way video interview is similar to a face-to-face interviewing, but it is typically conducted
through video chat.
One-on-one interview: An interview during which the candidate sits down with a company
representative to talk about the job and the candidate’s qualifications.
One-way video interview: One in which candidates at their leisure respond to a list of
scripted questions prepared by the hiring organization.
Panel interview: An interview conducted by a team of two or more people who will be the
candidate’s supervisors and colleagues.
Screening interview: An interview used to screen candidates to eliminate those who fail to
meet minimum requirements; may be done in person during job fairs or on college
campuses, by telephone, or by video.
Two-way video interview/live video interview: Sometimes called a live video interview, a
two-way video interview is similar to a face-to-face interviewing, but it is typically conducted
through video chat.