Reference no: EM133414779
Write a research or term paper that applies and analyzes a communication theory.
There are at leastthree options or possible approaches you can take to complete this paper.
One, you can develop a hypothetical study of communication, with a well-defended thesis, and apply at least one of the theories from your textbook in the paper. Two, you could select a theory, conduct a review of the relevant literature, and write a critique the theory using Griffin's criteria for evaluating a theory. Three, you could select one of the sub-disciplines (e.g., interpersonal, media studies, or health communication) and compare, contrast, and critique three theories commonly used by this sub-discipline.
No matter which option you choose, the paper should focus on communication and at least one theory. And you will complete the paper in at least 3 stages, which are described below.
Stage 1: Draft a 1-page pre-proposal where you describe which of the three options you've selected you intend to write about, including which theory or theories you might use. Evaluation of this paper is based upon the author's effort to focus on identifying an appropriate theory for study and quality of writing.
Stage 2: Draft the introduction of your term paper. This should include a brief review of the literature (specifically how the theory has been used in previous research) and a thesis. If you select option 1, you should include a description of what methods (e.g., interviews, surveys, observations, textual analysis) you would use to investigate the phenomenon. This stage of the paper should be approximately 4-6 pages long. This paper will be evaluated based upon the author's effort to develop their paper beyond the first stage to include a review of the literature, which attempts to summarize, analyze, and synthesize research related to the theory selected. In this stage of the paper, accurate use of APA will also be evaluated.
Peer Review: Bring two copies of your paper to class, in whatever stage it is in, for your peers to review and comment on in class.
Stage 3: In the third and final stage of the paper you will include application and analysis of the theory or theories you have selected. What this means is that you will describe how the theory is, or was historically, used to understand particular communication behavior. You will also offer some critique of the theory using Griffin's criteria for evaluating a theory. Your report should include the limits and opportunities the theory contributes to what we can study and know about communication. This final version of the term paper should be 10 pages long and follow the APA guidelines.