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The three-act story structure is a simple and effective way to shape a story outline from beginning to end. It breaks a narrative into three main parts: the Setup (Act One), the Confrontation (Act Two), and the Resolution (Act Three). This structure has been used for centuries and is still popular today in books, films, and plays.

Movement is a design principle that guides the viewer’s eye through a piece of art or design. It helps tell a visual story by showing the audience where to look first and what to look at next.

Active or effective listening means truly paying attention when someone is speaking. It’s not just about hearing words. It’s about understanding the meaning and feelings behind them. This kind of listening turns a conversation into a thoughtful, two-way exchange.

Understanding direct or indirect styles of communication helps you deliver your message clearly and understand others better. It also allows you to adjust your own approach depending on who you’re speaking with.

Technical communication is a way of sharing complex information in a simple and clear manner, usually in a work or professional setting. It helps people understand technical or specialized topics, like those in science, technology, or engineering—so they can take action or make decisions.

Empathetic listening is the practice of truly paying attention to someone else—not just to their words, but to their feelings and points of view. Also called active or reflective listening, it means being present, showing care, and responding in a supportive way. The goal isn’t to judge, fix, or offer advice—it’s to understand.

A project proposal is a written template that explains your project idea to decision-makers. It’s designed to “sell” your idea by clearly showing why the project matters and how it will be carried out. It also helps you get the support, funding, or resources needed to move forward.

A rhetorical question is a question that isn’t meant to be answered. It’s used to drive home a point, not to get information. You’ll often see this rhetorical device in persuasive writing, public speaking, and even casual conversations.

Understanding these three means helps us think more clearly about how people try to influence us—and how we can influence others in return. It reminds us that how something is said can be just as important as what is said.

Lateral communication — also known as horizontal communication — is the exchange of information between coworkers, teams, or departments at the same level in a company.