Effective Interpersonal Communication

COMM 1100 – Effective Interpersonal Communication

Assignment #2 – Relationship Analysis Paper

This assignment is designed to evaluate your competency at applying course concepts to 1) describe and 2) analyze specific features of the communication in a relationship you have been in, or are in presently. Then, 3) make recommendations based upon your analysis and description that might improve your relationship, and the communication between you and this other person, using concepts and suggestions for action from the text.  You may select any type of relationship be it a friend, family member, co-worker, boss, teacher, or significant other, or anyone else with whom you have some kind of relationship. However, make sure that you select ONE relationship (so if you start talking about your family, focus on your relationship with one specific member).

a.      
In your description use ANY and ALL concepts from the text that apply to inform the reader (me) about what your relationship is, what sort of communication takes place between you and this person, and show how communication in this relationship occurs. Focus on the main features of the relationship and the predominant forms of communication that occur between you and this person. Paint a picture of the relationship and the communication in it. You must use at least 4 concepts as descriptive tools.

b.      
In your analysis you need to explain to the reader (still me) why communication occurs the way it does as you have described it, and why the relationship exists as you have described it. In this sense, you need to EXPLAIN why things are as they are.  What are some causal factors that contribute to the quality of your communication and the quality of your relationship with this person?  You must use at least 4 concepts to explain communication and your relationship.

c.      
In your recommendations section, you must apply material from your text that supports at least 2 suggestions for enhancing communication and improving the relationship.  You should identify specific behaviors and ways of thinking that could be improved, and then point out how to improve them (i.e., what would you and the other person do differently in your behavior to improve communication and the relationship overall).

Thus, in describing the relationship you must DEFINE the nature of the communication and the relationship, and in analyzing the relationship you must EXPLAIN the reasons for why things exist as you have defined them, and in recommending changes you must JUSTIFY your recommendations for change by referring back to what you have described and analyzed.

EXAMPLE TOPICS: You might describe how the relationship has followed certain stages in its evolution and how the communicative behaviors with that person show which stage you are in now, or identify what type of conflict(s) you have with this person and how conflict occurs. You might explain how differing communication styles, or how differences in individual needs establish the conditions for conflict, or how those same styles and differences contribute to maintaining and rejuvenating the relationship, or how different perceptions or needs influence your communication and your relationship etc…., but think first about what you think and know about the relationship and your communication with this person…and then consider what terms from the text are most applicable.