Assignment Process
1. Select a Theory and a Topic
You will select a theory that we have studied in this course by reviewing those listed on the course syllabus. You should also review the theories included in the course textbook. Then, you should think of an example of a communication behavior that you have experienced in everyday life. It could be an experience with family members, friends, a work colleagues, or something you have seen in news media reports. You will use the theory of your choice to examine your topic in your Theoretical Review Paper. Consider which communication context you are focusing on in your paper (intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, organizational, cultural, public, or mass communication). Examples of previous student topics are available in the module on Theoretical Review Paper Guidelines.
2. Research
Research your theory and topic through the FIU Library databases. The course textbook may be used as a source, however, you will need a minimum of two more sources that are peer-reviewed academic journal articles. This constitutes a total of three sources that you must cite in APA style. Details on secondary research, APA style citations, and formatting are available in the module on Theoretical Review Paper Guidelines.
3. Organize Paper According to Themes
Organize your paper with two main sections: (1) Abstract, Problem Statement, Research Questions, Theoretical Framework; and (2) Review of Literature.
Problem Statement and Research Question(s) (approximately 1 page)
In the Problem Statement section, explain your topic precisely. Explain the significance of the topic, how much of an effect the topic/issue has on society and individuals. Help your reader to understand why it is a worthy topic.
After explaining the issue, form one or two research question(s) specific to a communication context.
Examples of research questions:
In what ways does symbolic interactionism affect intrapersonal communication to help college students self-esteem?
How might Expectancy Violations Theory explain cross-cultural dating practices?
Theoretical Framework (approximately 1-2 paragraphs)
Remember that you must select a theory to analyze your topic and research questions. Explain which theory you are using to examine your topic. It must be a theory that is being studied in this Communication Theory course and is found in the course textbook.
Review of Literature/theoretical review (approximately 4 pages)
In the Review of Literature section of your paper, you will write about what your secondary sources explain about your selected theory. You’ll write a thorough review and synthesis (not just a description) of the sources, with some discussion of how it connects with the topic of your problem statement. How does the theory help to explain what has occured in the communication experience of your topic? What are the implications of the theory in understanding the communication behavior? The Review of Literature section should be organized according to themes, with several subsections and subheadings. Be sure to write a solid conclusion to summarize your analysis of the theory as it applies to your topic.
