Essay Part 1 (15 points, due Tuesday, September 26) The beginning of a finished essay will include it's main proposition, or thesis statement.

Essay Part 1

(15 points, due Tuesday, September 26)

The beginning of a finished essay will include it's main proposition, or

thesis statement. But when

planning

an essay, you first need to establish a

problem to be solved or question to be answered, either of which will later help

compose your thesis. Part 1 of this essay project is to identify your

communication problem or question of interest. The problem or question can

arise from your own communication experiences or observations, or from some

of the kinds of sources (media, books, etc.) mentioned above. A communication

problem might be stated like this: "Many people seem to be inadequate at

arguing effectively." Or a communication question like this: "Why do people seem

generally inadequate at arguing effectively?"

Your assignment for Essay Part 1, then, is to establish the communication

problem or question that will be the objective of analysis using the theory that you

select later. The task components of Essay Part 1 are to:

1.

State your communication problem or question of interest. State it

clearly, concisely, and in a way that draws attention and interest. (3

points)

2.

Explain how you arrived at this problem or question — what have you

observed or experienced that presents the problem or raises the

question? (3 points)

3.

Explain how it is a problem or question of communication. Here you

may want to consider our definition of communication and its key

concepts. How does the problem or question align with the definition

and its elements? (4 points)

4.

Having made at least a cursory review of communication theories

presented in our textbook, state one or two theories that you think

might help address your communication problem or question, and why

they apply. (3 points)

5.

Conclude with a brief statement that succinctly summarizes and ties

these introductory points together. This will help set the stage for Essay

Part 2 in a few weeks. (2 points)