what is communication?

You must submit each paper on D2L under Assessments > Assignments. Do not email me your paper—submit it on D2L. To do so, first save your paper in .doc, .docx (MS Word), or .pdf format and then attach it to the appropriate submission folder under Assessments > Assignments. If I cannot open your document, your paper will receive the grade of zero. Each paper is worth up to 100 points.

The what is theory paper’s length is 2,500 words. The what is communication paper’s length is 2,500 words. An accurate word count must be placed at the top of the first page of your paper. Failure to have an accurate word count at the very top of the first page of your paper will result in a failing grade. Your paper needs to be typed and single-spaced. Your paper should use Times New Roman 12 pin font and standard margins. In MS Word, use either the Normal or the No Spacing style (upper right on Home tab) and then change your font to Times New Roman 12 pin/size (upper left on Home tab). Please do not space between paragraphs. Indent paragraphs. Since your paper is submitted online, please do not put your name, the course, or my name at the top of your paper. Every paper needs to begin with an accurate word count (which can be found in the lower left in MS Word) placed at the top of the paper, and then you should begin your first paragraph.

Each paper should be written in academic prose and, likewise, be polished and precise as well as adequately developed and supported. Paragraphs should begin with a bold claim or thesis statement (i.e., a declarative sentence that encapsulates what the paragraph is about) that is then supported by the rest of the paragraph. When a new bold claim is made, a new paragraph should begin.

Use the APA format to cite in-the-text-of-your-paper all outside source material, including the textbook and the supplemental readings. Include a proper works cited page. The works cited page should NOT be counted in the word count for your paper. Spell and grammar check (F7 in MS Word).

The what is communication paper should answer: What is communication? To answer this effectively, as well as to try to make this assignment a little more manageable, I highly recommend that your paper answer the following questions in order:

1 What are the central elements of communication?

2 What is the nature of interpersonal communication?

3 What is the nature of group and public communication?

4 What is the nature of mass and cultural communication?

5 What are the purposes, possibilities, and limits of communication at the dawn of the twenty-first century, i.e., the age of (digital) information?

6 What (then) is communication and why is that insightful and important? How has theory helped you arrive at this new insight and appreciation?

You must submit each paper by its deadline—the what is theory paper is due at the end of Spring break; the what is communication paper is due at the end of Finals week. The deadline for each paper really is the dead line. Late work is never accepted. Make-up work is never offered.

Each paper is to be an original work by you. Do not recycle work or writing from another class. Avoid plagiarism as well. Such behavior constitutes academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty will be treated very seriously. See the section Academic dishonesty for further clarification as well as for guidance in avoiding plagiarism.