Assignment:
Complete each section below. Erase this advice as you complete each section.
I. Introduction AND Thesis Statement
Your introduction should be relevant to your audience. So, start your paper by illustrating what they will gain from reading your advice and preview what you plan to say. Follow this advice:
a) Attention getter/stakes:
b) Thesis - If you're having difficulties writing a thesis, use the thesis generator in the Ashford Writing Center
c) Preview -
d) Transition into next section
II. Explain the principles of and barriers to competent/effective interpersonal communications.
Please use your week 1 paper as the basis of this segment. That was your practice for completing this section. Based on the feedback you received on that assignment, complete the following sections:
A) Topic Sentence: This sentence introduces the topic of your paragraph. All other sentences in the paragraph should support this statement. Each paragraph needs a topic sentence. Make some general points about principles/barriers.
B) Explain two principles of competent/effective interpersonal communications. Remember, you are "explaining", not just listing.
C) Why do the principles matter?
D) What are at least two barriers to communication? This also needs to be "explained," not just listed.
E) Use an example to illustrate your understanding of the principles and barriers. (You will need a paragraph for this. Be sure to provide as many details as possible and show how your example demonstrates how at least one principle and barrier can occur).
F) How can your couple or group of co-workers overcome the barriers you have listed?
Transition to next section, on ideas of the self.
III. Analyze the role of communication in developing and maintaining one's self-concept, self-image, and self-esteem.
A. Topic Sentence:This sentence introduces the topic of your paragraph. What central point(s) do you want to make about ideas of the self and communication?
B. Definitions of key terms - self-concept, self-image, and self-esteem.
C. Supporting Evidence:What do experts say is the relationship between communication and psychology? Don't forget citations - (Bevan & Sole, 2014, p.75).
D. Avoid just using a quote from a source. Explain what you think the author means.
E. Why does this matter generally? Why does this matter for your couple?
Transition to next section on self-disclosure
IV. Differentiate appropriate levels of self-disclosure (and emotional intelligence - optional) in various relationships - Use at least 3 paragraphs. We understand that you have not read the section on emotional intelligence yet. So, covering this topic is optional. However, you will have to cover this for the final paper. Therefore, you might want to read ahead and address that theme here to get feedback on your understanding.
A. Topic Sentence: What central point do you want to make about self-disclosure (and emotional intelligence)? If you cover emotional intelligence, try to connect to self-disclosure.
B. What does it mean to "differentiate" and what do Bevan and Sole have to say about "appropriate" communication? Think about context and goals.
C. It is always a good idea to define key terms. So, what is self-disclosure? If you are ambitious, go ahead and define emotional intelligence as well.
D. What levels of self-disclosure are necessary for your audience (either a group of co-workers or a couple)?
E. As an added bonus, you can answer this question - How will emotional intelligence help them?
Transition to next section on gender and culture
V. Analyze the impact of gender and culture on interpersonal communications.
A. Topic Sentence:What central point(s) do you want to make about culture and gender? Think through how awareness of both of these themes can help your audience improve as communicators.
1. Supporting Evidence: The best papers will use an academic source and personal experience. Don't forget citations (Bevan & Sole, 2014, p.75).
B. Again, it is a good idea to define key terms.
1) With that in mind, what is culture and what is gender versus sex?
2) Why is culture intertwined with communication? Consider both the ways we think (how we form our values and beliefs), the ways we talk, and nonverbal communication including proxemics and haptics.
3) Is the idea of gender orientation useful here? If so, define that term as well.
4) How does cultural training in gender orientation influence how we communicate?
5) How does communication (and cultural training about gender) influence our gender orientation?
C. Why does this matter generally? Why does this matter for your couple or co-workers?
VI. Conclusion- Thesis statement revisited with highlights of your key points. Avoid introducing new themes and simply copying and pasting your introduction.
Sample References
Bevan, J. L., & Sole, K. (2014). Making connections: Understanding interpersonal communication (2nd ed.) [Electronic version].
Schoenberg, N. (2011, January 17). Can we talk? Researcher talks about the role of communication in happy marriages. McClatchy-Tribune News Service.