Assignment 3.2: Peer Review Assignment
Post your prewriting assignments for review by: Sunday, April 7, by 11:59 pm
Complete your peer reviews by: Wednesday, April 10, by 11:59 pm
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Assignment 3.2 is the second step of the Comparative Cultures and Communication
Professional Blog assignment. As noted above, there are two (2) due dates for
this assignment.
Students must submit their work as a reply to the assignment. Work submitted
outside of the assignment (e.g., in a separate discussion board) is not eligible for
grading, and will not be accepted.
The rubric for this assignment can be found by clicking on the menu button in the
header of the assignment (the menu is represented by 3 dots).
In addition to submitting your Prewriting work to this assignment for review by 4/7/19
by 11:59 PM, you will also submit your Prewriting work to Assignment 3.1: Prewriting
before 11:59 PM on 4/7/19.
All Peer Reviews are due by Thursday, 4/10/19 by 11:59 PM.
All assignments close at 11:59 PM. The phrase "due by 11:59 PM" means
assignments must be submitted before 11:59 PM. Assignments not submitted before
the assignments close at 11:59 PM will not be accepted.
You are expected to submit your work far enough ahead of the deadline that you will
be able to cope with and overcome unforeseen challenges.
Overview:
For this peer-review assignment, students will be asked to speak to a number of
elements in their peers' prewriting work. The peer review process for this assignment
requires students to take responsibility for providing clear, actionable, helpful feedback
to their peers. The prompts for feedback in this assignment are less specific than they
were in the peer review assignment for Blog 1, in part because you are now more
familiar with the peer review and feedback process, and are therefore able to provide
more informed and thoughtful feedback.
For this peer-review assignment, you must:
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Submit your own work to the peer review assignment before 11:59 PM on 4/7/19.
Remember: In order for peer review to work, everyone must have something to
review, which means everyone must submit something to be reviewed.
Submit your prewriting work and feedback as a reply to the assignment. Students
who fail to submit their work and/or feedback to the assignment as a reply are
ineligible for grading, and their work will not be accepted.
Submit your peer reviews as a threaded reply to the writer you are reviewing.
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Provide clear, thoughtful feedback, and actionable suggestions and
recommendations.
Thoughtfully respond to your peers' questions after completing the rest of the peer
review (as detailed below), and provide actionable feedback in regard to your peers'
questions or concerns.
Review every submission in your group. Reviews are due before 11:59 PM on
4/10/19.
Peer Review Steps and Requirements:
Step 1: Reading
Always begin each review by first reading the writer's entire submission. Once you have
read the writer's submission, respond to the prompts below.
Step 2: Response Organization and Formatting
Clearly organize your feedback by creating headings as listed below. Bold and
underline each heading title so that they are clear and easy to identify. Your feedback
for each section will go under the appropriate heading in regular font (in other words,
your feedback under each heading will not be bolded, underlined, or italicized). Create
these headings:
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Thesis Statement
Sources - Number, Credibility, and Formatting
Focus
Blog - Completeness, Organization, and Formatting
Visual Elements - Value to blog, readability, any additional required
Responses to Questions (under this heading, you will clearly label "Question 1,"
"Question 2," etc. so that the writer can clearly identify which questions you are
responding to)
Step 3: Offering Feedback
You will review the work of all the members in your group. Respond to the feedback
prompts below. The prompts are intentionally broad to allow for students to respond
thoughtfully using the experience and prior knowledge they bring to this assignment. If
you need help figuring out how to respond to a particular section, look back to previous
assignment resources for inspiration. For example, if you are unsure of how to begin
offering feedback on a writer's thesis statement, re-visit the UNC Thesis Statement
handout that you were required to read for earlier assignments.
Your feedback must be clear and thoughtful, and your recommendations must be clear
and actionable.
The prompts for each section are listed below:
Thesis Statement
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Speak to the writer's thesis statement.
Consider elements such as clarity, conciseness, position, etc.
Consider whether it answers the "So what?" and "Who cares?" questions.
Offer at least one actionable recommendation.
Focus
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Speak to the writer's focus.
Consider elements such as topic manageability and narrowness.
Offer at least one actionable recommendation.
Source Review and Formatting
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Review the writer's sources by examining/visiting each listed source. Verify each
source using the CRAAP Test (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
Speak to the credibility, relevance, accuracy, usefulness, etc. of the sources.
Review and speak to citation formatting.
Offer at least one actionable recommendation.
Blog Completeness, Organization, and Formatting
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Speak to the writer's fulfillment of the outline requirements.
Speak to the organization of the writer's work. Consider clarity of organization from
your point of view as a reader.
Offer at least one actionable recommendation.
Visual Elements
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Speak to the writer's suggested use of visual elements. If the writer does not include
any visual elements, speak to that.
Consider relevance, utility, reader needs, etc.
Offer at least one actionable recommendation.
Responses to Questions
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Respond to the writer's individual questions. (Organize as indicated above.)
Offer clear, thoughtful responses, and actionable recommendations.
Assignment 3.1 Prewrite
United States & Pakistan: Colliding countries compared within Culture
Questions
1. Hello Peers, I struggled mostly on creating a thesis statement for my blog. What new
information should I include to beef up my thesis statement or what information
should I delete to improve this statement?
2. Also, since a conclusion depends on a thesis statement, I struggled creating a
conclusion to fully sum up my blog. Any ways in which I could improve my
conclusion, including new information, or presenting the argument even deeper?
Step #1: Get Familiar with Each Country
The United States is composed of a huge diverse population. This diversity contains
many different cultures, in which put forth their own influences on the American Culture.
Many different cultures influence American culture, and American culture also
influences the rest of the world.
The country of Pakistan is mainly influenced by Islam. Therefore, the countries culture is
mainly driven and follows Islamic beliefs. Also, Pakistan is intertwined with Indian
subcontinent culture. Many different ethnic groups compose the culture of Pakistan, and
some cultural aspects differ in different region due to the different ethnic groups
(Canada, 2018).
Thesis Statement
Even though the United States and Pakistan have constructed a lasting relationship with
one another, understanding the culture of Pakistan allows for an American to build
stronger relationships with Pakistanis. This relationship can further lead to success in
industry business between the two countries. However, not taking the time to develop a
strong understanding of a countries culture could lead to strong tensions and begin the
decline of a relationship.
Step #2: Know the Difference in Communication
Within the United States, personal space is to be respected when greeting someone
new followed by a firm handshake and eye contact. Americans usually don’t hug/kiss
others unless it is their relatives. Usually women and men are greeted in the same
manner, especially within the workforce. During conversion, it is suspected that the
counter speaker will occasionally nod their when they are in an agreeance with the
speaker as well as shake their head when they are in a disagreement. Also, in the
United States, pointing at someone is deemed to be disrespectful (CulturalAtlas, 2016).
However, if an American were to visit the country of Pakistan they must know that there
is a complete culture shift. Within Pakistan, there are several different regions with
varying ways of greeting each other, or people from a different area. Also, Pakistanis
who associate themselves with the main cities of Pakistan are more considerate of
different cultural issues within other countries (CulturalAtlas, 2016). Pakistanis who live
in rural areas may be more conservative of physical contact (Canada, 2018). So, a
handshake may be reciprocated in the city but may not be reciprocated in rural areas.
The greeting of women in both cities and rural areas are the same because women may
feel uncomfortable. In order to greet women, it is respected by placing the right hand
over the chest and taking a bow. Also, women may place their hands over their chest
for a reply to an offered handshake, being too uncomfortable to reciprocate the
handshake (CulturalAtlas, 2016). During conversation, Americans tend to make eye
contact however, in Pakistan eye contact is deemed to be a sign of arrogance and
being rude. In the US, people say “thank you”, whereas, in Pakistan people use
“blessings”. The biggest cultural difference is that in Pakistan, the left-hand is
associated with personal hygiene(unclean), so the right hand is always used to gesture,
touch people, offer items, or reciprocating a handshake. Another cultural difference is
Pakistanis may hook index fingers which signifies an agreement, and unlike the US a
thumbs-up is considered rude. Furthermore, winking is very inappropriate especially
towards opposite sex. Lastly, the use of the word “thank you” is different. In the US,
people say “thank you”, whereas, in Pakistanis substitute the word “blessings”.
Anyways, communication comes in all forms, seven percent comes from actual spoken
words, thirty-eight percent comes from the tone of voice, and fifty-five percent comes
from body language (RightAttitudes, 2008). Overall, understanding non-verbal and
verbal communication and knowing the difference each country interprets a certain form
of this communication can save someone from getting themselves in trouble when
interacting a citizen of the opposite country.
The Elements of Personal Communication
Figure 1: The division of how communication is perceived by those who can
communicate with on another (RightAttitudes, 2008)
Step #3: Know the Differences in the Dimension of Culture
Dimensions of Cultures
Figure 2: The scale and weight of the cultural Dimensions in the US, and Pakistan
The United States is driven by social control, so even though everyone is unique,
citizens will not differentiate that much with others. Also, with the United States being a
free country, there is a vast majority of individualism due to the allowed capability of
being able to do whatever someone wants to do to. However, this also represent a high
self-image of “I” instead of “We” is in the US. There is a lack of cooperativeness and
more separateness, leading to the US being highly driven by competition and success.
On the other hand, Pakistan is driven by the idea of a collectivistic society, and there
isn’t as much individualism because there is a long-term commitment in Pakistan
dealing with family, or relationships. Also, Pakistan sees an equivalent amount of
competition as well as having success associated with the quality of one’s life. Lastly,
Pakistan focuses on the past as well as the future an equivalent amount. Traditions are
kept and honored, while new traditions are being created.
The differences in individualism, masculinity, and long-Term orientation could cause
conflicts for an American dealing with business issues or ideas. With the US being such
an individualistic country, a business setting including Pakistanis and Americans would
cause a potential issue of company success or success within multiple companies
dealing with similar issues. Also, there would be a misunderstanding between company
success and quality of treatment the business provides for the livelihood of employees.
Lastly, a misunderstanding being led from a difference in long-term orientation would be
Americans working in the business would question the changing of how the business
would handle their job. While Pakistanis may encourage the change.
Step #4: Know the Political, Business, and Cultural Tensions that Arise
In 1947, the United States established a diplomatic relationship with the country of
Pakistan (StateGov, 2018). This relationship is built off of counterterrorism efforts as
well as trades and investments. The US has a primary focus to develop a stable, and
safe environment and economy for Pakistan (StateGov, 2018). Also, this relationship
between the two countries has led to a Pakistani-American community in the United
States composed of many entrepreneurs, doctors, and academics which benefits the
culture and business of America and enriches the culture of Pakistan
(EmbassyPakistan, 2019). The US and Pakistan have developed a mutualistic
relationship because each country benefits off each other, however, with terrorism rising
and tensions within Pakistan with other countries this relationship may be on target for a
downfall (EmbassyPakistan, 2019). According to ET, “the US-Pakistan relationship is in
serious trouble” (EconTimes, 2018). The serious troubling between the two countries
has to do with an upbringing of mistrust. This mistrust has risen due to the opinion that
Pakistan needs to do more on terror sanctuaries (EconTimes, 2018). Also, according to
President Trump, Pakistan has returned the favor of the aid the US granted them with
lies and deceit (Brookings, 2018). Since Trump, tweeted that, military efforts and
security assistance has been called off in Pakistan. The US-Pakistan relation has been
altering since the beginning; however, the US has been gathering more information that
Pakistan was providing a safe haven to Taliban. A high reasoning due to an altering
relationship is due to nuclear weapons. In 1990, the US determined that Pakistan was in
the possession of a nuclear device, leading to the US cutting off military and economic
aid (EconTimes, 2017). The US is also concerned that Pakistan could use their nuclear
weapons and go to war with India. The Trump administration is worried that these
nuclear weapons and materials in Pakistan could land in the hands of terror groups.
Wrapping Up
The US and Pakistan differentiate a lot within the culture identity between the two
countries. Becoming familiar with the differences in culture between two countries leads
to becoming more familiar and even more appreciative of a different country. This
familiarity and appreciation with a new country opens the opportunity to obtain a job in
that new country and excel at the job because one is able to fully dive in with the culture
switch.
References:
Afzal, M. (2018). The future of U.S.-Pakistani Relations.
Brookings.edu
Retrieved From: https://www.brookings.edu/blog/unpacked/2018/01/12/the-future-of-us-pakistani-relations/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
Evason, N. (2016). Communication of Pakistan.
Culturalatlas.sbs.com
Retrieved From: https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an
external site.
Evason, N. (2016). Communication of the United States.
Culturalatlas.sbs.com
Retrieved From: https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an
external site.
PTI. (2017). US worried Pakistan’s Nuclear-weapons could land up in terrorists’ hands:
Economictimes.indiatimes.com
Retrieved From: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/us-worriedpakistans-nuclear-weapons-could-land-up-in-terrorists-handsofficial/articleshow/60220358.cms (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
PTI. (2018). US-Pakistan relationship in serious trouble: Expert.
Economictimes.indiatimes.com
Retrieved From: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/us-pakistanrelationship-in-serious-trouble-expert/articleshow/60980644.cms (Links to an external
site.)Links to an external site.
Embassy of Pakistan, Washington, D.C. (2018). Pak-US Relations
Embassyofpakistanusa.org
Retrieved From: http://embassyofpakistanusa.org/ (Links to an external site.)Links to
an external site.
Hofstede-Insights, Country Comparison. (2017). Pakistan United States.
Hofstede-insights.com
Retrieved From: https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/pakistan,theusa/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
Canada. (2018). Pakistan.
International.gc.ca
Retrieved From: https://www.international.gc.ca/cil-cai/country_insightsapercus_pays/ci-ic_pk.aspx?lang=eng (Links to an external site.)Links to an external
site.
Belludi, N. (2008). Albert Mehrabian’s 7-38-55 Rule of Personal Communication
rightattitudes.com
Retrieved From: http://www.rightattitudes.com/2008/10/04/7-38-55-rule-personalcommunication/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. (2018). U.S. Relations With Pakistan
state.gov
Retrieved From: https://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3453.htm (Links to an external
site.)Links to an external site.
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