FACEWORK: A set of coordinated practices in which communicators build, maintain, protect, or threaten personal dignity, honor, and respect.
| Focus of Attention | | SCOPE OF ACTION |
| | Act | Conversation | Episode | Life Script |
| Person | An act that aims to affect self or other face. | A conversation affecting face of self or other. | An episode of conversations affecting self or other face. | A long-term series of episodes creating an orientation to self and other. |
| Relationship | An act of facework aiming to help define the relationship. | A conversation of facework shaping the relationship. | An episode of conversations defining the relationship. | A long-term series of episodes defining relationships. |
| System | An act of facework aiming to help define the system. | A conversation of facework shaping the system. | An episode of conversations shaping the system. | A long-term series of episodes shaping larger systems. |
