COMM 102 Allied American University Social Penetration Theory Application Paper
Theory Application Paper (Final Paper) Instructions Comm 102: Interpersonal CommunicationSpring 2020We have been reading case studies (stories) all semester to help you better understand interpersonal communication. Now, it is time for you to write your own story. For your theoretical application paper, you will write a 3-4 page paper using one of the interpersonal theories listed below. The purpose of this assignment is for you to write a paper that applies an interpersonal communication theory to a practical situation using a story and explain how this theory functions within your story. This assignment is worth 100 points. For grading criteria, see the Final Paper Rubric located in the Final Paper folder on eCampus.Interpersonal Theories for Paper: 1.Choose ONE of the following four interpersonal theories:Ø Attachment TheoryØ Social Penetration TheoryØ Uncertainty Reduction TheoryØ Social Exchange TheoryThree PartsPart 1: Theory SummaryIn Part 1, you will provide a summary of your chosen interpersonal theory using research.You will find research for your chosen interpersonal communication theory and cite this research within your paper according to APA style.For Part 1, please be sure to complete the following instructions:Please clearly state the name of the theory, the original researcher(s) who developed the theory, and the primary purpose of the theory.Clearly explain the main components/assumptions/strategies/stages of the theory.Briefly explain how this theory is used to understand interpersonal communication.You must cite at least 3 legitimate, peer-reviewed sources in parenthetical citations within your paper.Helpful places to start: WVU Library website, Google Scholar, etc.Part 2: StoryIn Part 2, you will write your own original story applying the theory to a real life situation. A “Story” is a significant event that involves a character, setting, and plot that is structured with a beginning, middle, and an ending. By writing a story, it allows you to write about and share your own personal experiences, which will allow you to better understand how interpersonal communication theory functions in your everyday life. Please feel free to be creative. Make your story interesting and fun. You can use tension, humor, drama, etc. And remember that you can write in your own style as well (as long as you clearly provide all of the information in the prompt and use proper grammar, spelling, and sentence structure).For Part 2, please be sure to complete the following instructions:*Make sure that you follow the story format: ▪In the beginning of your story, make sure to clearly identify the main character(s).You can tell this story from a “first-person” perspective (“I/We”) or from a “third-person” (“He/She/They”) perspective. Please provide the following (in any order): oGive the main character(s) a name. (Who is this?)oIdentify the setting. (where AND when is the story taking place?)▪In the middle of your story, please provide the following: oInitiating Event. (What happened to the main character(s)?)oInternal Response to the Event. (What did the main character(s) think about the event?) oExternal Response to the Event. (What did the main character(s) do in response to the event?)oConsequence. (After the main character(s) acted, what happened?)▪In the ending of your story, please provide the following:oResolution. (How did it all end?)Part 3: Connecting Theory and StoryIn Part 3, you will briefly explain how your original story helps to explain how your chosen interpersonal communication theory is working in real life. Think of this as “connecting” Part 1 and Part 2.For Part 3, please be sure to complete the following instructions:Clearly explain how your chosen interpersonal theory is functioning within your story by using the main components/assumptions/strategies/stages of the theory.The last 1-2 sentences should briefly summarize how your interpersonal theory was useful way to analyze your original story.Paper FormatYour paper must adhere to the following format:Title Page: The paper should include a separate (that is, it does not count toward the 3-4 page requirement) title page as the first page of your document. The title page includes your title, your name, section # and class time, WVU ID#, and page number. See the “Example Title Page” located in the Final Paper folder on Ecampus. Use this example as the template! The title page should not include any other information, photos, etc.§Paper Layout: The paper must be 3-4 FULL pages in length (The Title Page, References Page, and Rubric do not count toward the total page count). The paper should be typed and double-spaced, use 12-point Times New Roman font, have 1” margins, have page numbers, and be stapled. There should be no additional spacing at the top of your paper or between paragraphs. You may need to change the default settings in Microsoft Word to meet these formatting requirements. You should also have Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 centered and bolded throughout your paper (See “Theoretical Application Paper Example” as an example).Reference Page and APA Formatting: You must provide a Reference Page with at least 3 sources. The sources should come from peer-reviewed journal articles, books, or e-books. The WVU library database is a very good place for information. Please DO NOT simply Google search and use unreliable online sources (e.g., Wikipedia, Sparknotes, etc.). Be sure not to plagiarize, as it is very easy to detect. Please see the “Academic Dishonesty” policy in the syllabus for consequences of plagiarism such as a zero grade and/or removal from the university.The reference page and in-text citations should be properly formatted following American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines. See “Theoretical Application Paper Example” as an example for proper parenthetical citations and reference formatting. An APA manual is also available in the library. Additionally, a tutorial is available at: http://www.apastyle.org/learn/tutorials/basics-tutorial.aspx.§Rubric: The paper should include a copy of the rubric. It must be attached as the last page of your final paper. See the “Final Paper Rubric” located in the Final Paper folder on eCampus.