Final Project Communication 118, introduction to interpersonal communication and culture

COMM118: Interpersonal Communication & Culture

Suggestions on structure Keep in mind the following general guidelines for coherent paper structure:

1. An intro paragraph with at least a thesis statement about your research question as well as a descriptive sentence of what you did. (e.g., ‘I observed data from … to see if …’, or ‘I analyzed data from … using the concepts of …’). You may or may not ‘give away’ the ending to your paper here, depending on your preference.

2. A few paragraphs in which you explain the theoretical concepts that you used. These must come directly from your readings, and cover in some detail the aspects of these concepts that apply most directly to your analysis (e.g., you may list all the potential functions of narrative but discuss at some length the one(s) that apply to your data). This section must include both your own paraphrasing, as well as direct quotes from the readings (and NOT my slides!). Check minimum requirements for references.

3. One to three paragraphs in which you provide a general description of your data. If you are analyzing a scene from a movie or TV show for which you provide a transcript in the appendix, simply provide a short 1-2 paragraph description of the scene and its placement in the movie or show. Do not provide the whole plot, just what is necessary to understand the clip. If you are doing observation, then provide the observation notes at this point, about 3 or more paragraphs if need be (remember the principles of thick description to understand just how much detail is necessary).

4. A couple of pages of analysis, in which you apply your previously mentioned concepts to the data.

5. One paragraph in which you summarize the findings of your analysis. 6. A concluding paragraph in which you tie your findings to your research question

and the overall bigger question. This typically mirrors your introduction to some extent but adds to what was covered in it.

Sticking somewhat closely to this structure is not simply a matter of mechanics, but will help ensure that your writing is focused and your argument consistent and clear. This structure is a simplified version of how many academic papers are structured: introduction, literature review and theoretical framework, data, discussion, then conclusion. Make sure to include your references, and if you are using a transcript, to include it in full as an appendix at the end (does not count towards your page limit).