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| Communication Theory Paper - Part 1 |
| Article Abstracts/Summaries Assignment |
| The first part of this paper assignment requires you to collect and abstract or summarize 8 scholarly articles (15 for graduate students) which are directly related to a communication theory of particular interest to you. Your first task is to identify a communication theory that you find particularly interesting/meaningful. This selection process is important. Please don't take it for granted - remember it's easier to write about something that interests you than it is to plough your way through something that bores you to tears. Put some time into this first task. Here are some tips for selecting a communication theory. |
| Identifying a Theory of Interest |
| 1. The required text for this class is a particulary useful resource. The range of communication theories covered in Littlejohn (1999) is quite remarkable - there is truly something for everyone. You could start by identifying a general communication context (intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, organizational, mass, national/cultural) of interest to you and reading the corresponding chapter/s in the text. Each context chapter describes numerous communication theories. |
| 2. Or, perhaps another (communication) class has exposed you to a communication theory or problem area that you would like to further investigate.... |
| 3. Or, if you have no idea of what you're interested in simply browse through the text until something catches your eye.... |
| 4. If all else fails, see me. We will talk about your interests and try to identify a theory that captivates you. |
| The Search for 8/15 Sources |
| Once you have identified a communication theory of interest, you need to collect 8/15 articles which are related to this theory. One of these must be a seminal piece (i.e., an early or first work by the author(s) of the theory you are investigating). Others may be further elaborations (extensions or intensions) of your selected theory. Strive to vary your sources, for this will make for richer analysis in Part 2 of this paper assignment (i.e., try to go beyond the writings of one or two theoreticians/researchers). Here are a couple of helpful search strategies: |
| 1. Consult CommSearch 95 on CD-ROM and/or Communication Abstracts. Topics in communication theory published in communication scholarl journals are indexed in these sources. |
| 2. Researchers in other disciplines may also have written about your selected theory. Therefore, it may make sense to search in other databases. Try using the CD-ROM databases in the Lincoln Park or Loop libraries. Specific databases you might want to use include, but are not limited to the Periodical Abstracts, Social Science Index, PsychLit, ERIC (education), ABI-inform. All these are accessible via the DePaul Library Web Page. Information about articles relevant to the communication theory you have chosen can be accessed through a "key-terms" search. For instance, if you were interested in uncertainty reduction theory and you conducted a search using the key terms "uncertainty reduction theory" the accessed database would locate and list all references containing the combination of words "uncertainty" and "reduction" and "theory" in their titles or published abstracts. Some databases will even contain these abstracts. No, you may not use these for your paper. You must produce your own article abstracts/summaries. |
| Writing the Abstract |
| Once you have compiled a list of 8/15 articles, you need to locate and copy them. You are now ready to abstract your 8/15 sources. |
| Content |
| First, read and take notes on each article. Keep the following requirements for each abstract in mind as you do so. |
| 1. An abstract is really an article reduced to its essence. For the purposes of this class, it is a condensed summary of an essay, article, chapter or other work, written in your own words. |
| 2. Begin an abstract with the complete reference/citation for the work you are summarizing. Make sure your references follow one of the recommended style manuals (APA, MLA, Chicago, Turabian). |
| 3. Next, in your own words, state the central thesis of the work you are abstracting. |
| 4. Summarize the content of the work, following the same order as the author(s). Select only the most important points of the piece and their central supporting details. |
| 5. At the end of each abstract, offer a concluding sentence that reflects the author's conclusion or lasting position on the subject matter. |
| 6. Each abstract should be brief, clear, accurate, and objective. |
| Form/Mechanics |
| Each article abstract/summary must be typed onto a single page. I encourage you to proofread your work so as to eliminate spelling, grammatical and punctuation errors. |
| The deadline for this assignment is indicated on the class schedule. Paper - Part 1 should be handed in during regular class period. A late Paper - Part 1will be lowered by a third of a letter grade for each day it is overdue. |
| Grading |
| This assignment is worth 5% of your final grade. Estimate that each abstract will be worth approximately half a percentage point. One percentage point will be given for mechanics (i.e., spelling, grammar, sentence construction, punctuation, neatness), following directions (i.e., each article on a single page, following a style manual), page numbers, cover page, and reference page. Any student found guilty of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade for the course and may be subject to further disciplinary action. Plagiarism constitutes academic dishonesty. If you are unsure of what constitutes plagiarism, please ask. |
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