Overview
No matter what type of relationship we are in—whether in terms of coworkers, friendship, romance, or family members, all relationships impact who we are. This paper requires you to analyze an interpersonal relationship using communication concepts/theories and principles from the text.
1.Introduction: Start by grabbing my attention. Then describe the relationship. Who are the participants? What is the history of the relationship? What is the current status of the relationship? This information should be relatively brief. Next, preview the body of the paper by indicating the terms/concepts you will use to analyze the relationship.
2.Body: In this section of the paper you will analyze the relationship using interpersonal communication concepts, terms, topics, etc. This is by far the longest section of the paper.
First organize the body of the paper around the stages of friendship or romantic relationship development (see your textbook). These stages can provide an excellent outline for the paper. You do not have to talk about every stage but use it as an organizational tool. The key here is to talk about the communication interaction that creates that stage and what communication moves the relationship to the next stage. You can also talk about the communication interaction that will help you to improve your relationship or maintenance the relationship.
Select at least four concepts that we’ve discussed in class and apply them to your relationship. You may discuss these concepts and how they affected the communication in your relationship as you take us through the stages, or you may want to discuss them apart from the stages in terms of how they have played out in your relationship while you were in that stage of the relationship. Use evidence to support your claims and use it in each stage---using direct quotes from the text (definitions), and specific examples from your relationship. If you fail to give evidence, it will significantly lower your grade.