Introduction:
A relationship of trust is most important within interpersonal and small group communication. The ability to communicate openly, frankly, and without fear of reprimand or becoming excluded (implicitly or explicitly) from the group is critical while achieving group goals and objectives.
To obtain trust requires the skilled use of perception checks and coping with the emotion of fear to self-disclosure and confront others. Each of these elements is a key factor in communication and our personal identity. Interpersonal skills to influence others and be open with family members, work associates, or group members is a challenge; yet the ability to competently resolve conflict is a great power.
‘You statements’ are an act of bias creating unequal footing to negotiate resolutions to problems. When making ‘you statements,’ power is given to the other person while making the speaker of the ‘you statements’ appear to be standing on higher, but loosely based ground (“You make me angry . . . ” “You are such a selfish little . . .” “You . . .”). ‘You statements’ also have the unpleasant ability to introduce emotions which tend to cloud and confuse issues. They start fights when our emotions and rational thoughts are not balanced.
Assignment:
Meet with a friend (close or casual), work associate, teammate, romantic partner, clique member, group member, or family member. You must confront a minimum of three different individuals with three separate perception checks. Engage an open discussion involving a perception check for the purpose of confronting these selected individuals regarding issues of conflict you have with them. Make sure your situation is appropriate for the perception check or no points will be awarded. Follow the instructions in completing your essay and making your observations.
The structure of the essay is as follows:
Paragraph 1 - Introduction. Give a good hook, define a perception check and introduce the purpose of your paper by way of a thesis.
Perception Check #1.
Paragraph 2
- Give a brief background of the situation.
Paragraph 3
- Set off your perception check by giving it its own paragraph and using quotation marks.
Paragraph 4
- Start a new paragraph and describe the aftermath of the encounter including step #4 of the perception check process. Stick with the facts of what happened and leave discussion and evaluation for the latter part of the essay.
Perception Check #2. Same as check #1
Paragraph 5
- Give a brief background of the situation.
Paragraph 6
- Set off your perception check by giving it its own paragraph and using quotation marks.
Paragraph 7
- Start a new paragraph and describe the aftermath of the encounter including step #4 of the perception check process. Stick with the facts of what happened and leave discussion and evaluation for the latter part of the essay.
Perception Check #3. Same as check #1
Paragraph 8
- Give a brief background of the situation.
Paragraph 9
- Set off your perception check by giving it its own paragraph and using quotation marks.
Paragraph 10
- Start a new paragraph and describe the aftermath of the encounter including step #4 of the perception check process. Stick with the facts of what happened and leave discussion and evaluation for the latter part of the essay.
The Analysis of your perception checks:
Paragraphs 11 to the end - This is the body of the essay and your thoughts on the perception checks. Be sure to bring in three concepts from the book and class to support your observations. This should be more than half of your essay. Cite information from the textbook in this section to strengthen your thesis.
Conclusion. Give everything meaning and resolution.
Click HERE for a link to a format example.
Comm 2110 Signature Assignment Rubric:
Writing Process - 20 Points
Grammar, style, and construction is at a university level. -1 for each mistake.
Organization 1 - introduction - 10 Points
Give a good hook, define a perception check and introduce the purpose of your paper by way of a thesis.
Perception Check #1 Verbatim Dialogue - 5 Points
Set off your perception check by giving it its own paragraph and using quotation marks.
Perception Check #1: Analysis - 5 Points
Your analysis including step #4 of the perception check process. Discussed what worked and what didn't, then move on.
Perception Check #2 Verbatim Dialogue - 5 Points
Set off your perception check by giving it its own paragraph and using quotation marks.
Perception Check #2: Analysis - 5 Points
Your analysis including step #4 of the perception check process. Discussed what worked and what didn't, then move on.
Perception Check #3 Verbatim Dialogue - 5 Points
Set off your perception check by giving it its own paragraph and using quotation marks.
Perception Check #3: Analysis - 5 Points
Your analysis including step #4 of the perception check process. Discussed what worked and what didn't, then move on.
Analysis I: Personal Reflection - 10 Points
Your insights as to what is going on.
Analysis III: Vocab and Textbook - 10 Points
Did you bring in concepts from the book and class to support your observations?
Analysis III: Competence - 10 Points
Are your checks complete, appropriate and well thought out for the situation?
Conclusion - 10 Points
Wrap things up and put a nice bow on top.
Total points - 100 (%2 for grade)