Part One: Explain the concepts in the essay, including a brief explanation of each of the key terms of the essay;
Part Two: Give a brief overview of the book. Describe the credentials of the author and the methodology for researching the topic and the prescriptions; and
Part Three: Describe and assess how the terms of the book applies to our class understanding of interpersonal communication. Would you recommend this book? Why or why not?
Background on the Assignment:
In this written assignment, examine how the insights you gained from this course relate to those of a popular self-help book that is intended for readers who want to improve their self or their personal relationships. This reflective assignment should include three parts – it is strongly suggested that you provide subheads to identify the specific parts of the essay.
Part One: Explain the interpersonal concepts you will be addressing or exploring in the essay, including a brief explanation of each of the key terms. For instance, if your self-help book is one that focuses on self-disclosure, I would expect you to define self-disclosure, perhaps different models of self-disclosure as per the course manual, the required textbook for this course, etc.
Part Two: Give a brief overview of the book. Describe the credentials of the author and the methodology for researching the topic and the prescriptions. Specifically, consider writing 300 words that will serve to summarize the key points in the book and perhaps only two sentences introducing the author and their credentials to write such a book. Consider writing a few sentences on how the author came to his/her conclusions. Perhaps, he/she conducted a survey to analyze results or it could be that he/she performed an ethnographic study whereby he/she observed humans in what they do best: communicate!
Part Three: Describe and assess how the terms of the book apply to our class understanding of interpersonal communication. In this section, I encourage you to unpack the key concepts which you have previously explained in Part One of this assignment (see above). Here, I want you to critically assess whether the author is providing new insights to the concept you are exploring. For instance, say you are looking at the interpersonal concept of listening, discuss whether the author is building from pre-existing theories or models or whether he/she is suggesting a new theoretical framework for how we listen. Finally, you may discuss whether you would recommend this book.
Sample Solution