SOCIAL PENETRATION THEORY
Topic: You may choose your own topic subject on two conditions: 1) it must be a research project (i.e., involve data collection and analysis) and 2) it must be clearly relevant to Communication Theory. As you think about topics that might be of interest to you for this paper, it might useful for you to think in terms research questions. Questions might be phrased in terms of how one communication phenomenon influences another, what formative processes are involved in human communication, or what the impacts of a specific communication event. You should limit the scope of your project at the outset, as research projects always take longer than expected.
To complete the assignment, you will select a communication theory (SOCIAL PENETRATION THEORY) and apply it to a real world situation (artifact), explaining how communication works in our everyday life.
Annotated bibliographies provide a source citation (APA format) and one-paragraph description of the source (7-10 lines no double space).
Paper Content:
1. Introduction: This section should consist of an introduction to your topic, engaging and encouraging us to read further. This section should be 1-2 pages that explain what artifact you are looking at (provide topic, history, etc.) and why you have chosen it. Crucial to this section is a thesis statement that tells us what you are doing with this paper (i.e. what is your overall premise for writing the paper? What are you trying to do?).
2. Body: In this section you will present a literature review (see example provided in class) and an analysis section. The literature review will provide the necessary framework for your paper, outlining the theory you have chosen (be sure to include major concepts/propositions/findings in the theory, its domain and the traditions it belongs to).Here you will begin to develop your arguments, defining concepts and explaining their import. You should include your 5 (or more) outside resources and draw on at least 7 concepts from class that pertains to your analysis. This section should be 2-3 pages.
The next section is your analysis. This is where you will apply your topic/artifact to the literature you have accumulated (i.e., you have provided the framework for understanding your arguments in your literature review. Now you are analyzing your topic within those parameters). Explain how you see the concepts you have chosen working within the context of your artifact.Critically evaluate the theory. Did it work in the real world (use chapter three to evaluate the theory).This section should 2-3 pages
3. Conclusion: This section of the paper should provide us with a summary of your arguments. You might ask yourself these questions: What do you want to leave us with? What is the most important thing we should remember? When youve answered them, write a conclusion that leaves us satisfied and reinforces your major points. 1 page in length.
Examples of artifacts:
Film
Television (news, shows, advertisements, etc.)
Print (books, magazines, print ads, etc.)
Interpersonal relationships (friendships, romantic/marriage relationships, families, Dr./Patient)
Public Speaking (movements, rhetors, political activism, political candidates, political advertising, etc.)
Organizational Communication
Group or Small Group communication
Popular culture
BELOW is the annotated bibliography and an outline for you to follow. Also I will be providing the text book that has information SOCIA PENETRATION THEORY
