Relationship analysis

You must choose a person (friend, colleague, partner etc.) and meet FACE-TO-FACE with them at least two times for at least 30 minutes each meeting. This should be a time when you are alone with the person and can talk with them. Watching a movie is not the same as having a conversation.

▪ The purpose of each meeting is to talk. But be aware of what occurs as you talk. Heighten your awareness and sensitivity—use all your perceptions.

▪ After each meeting, write down your observations and reactions from the meetings. You should note your perceptions of the meeting as well as communication principles that were evident.

▪ Concepts and terms from the textbook must be used when writing your paper. If you incorporate additional sources, they need to be cited on works cited page. Use the textbook as your source for paper and provide works cited page in MLA style.

The outcome of this activity is a critical analysis of the relationship. It should be 3-4 pages. The paper must be typed, with standard 1-inch margins, 12-point font, and must be double spaced with works cited page. The format for the paper:

I. Introduction

The introduction gives an overview of the paper. You should state what kind of relationship you have with that person (friend or intimate) and where and when the meetings took place. This is the main material for the analysis of the relationship with that person. Be sure to include elements from the transactional communication model (e.g. physical / internal context, message formation, noise etc.).

Describe the relationship and where and when the meetings took place.

A. Meeting 1

B. Meeting 2

II. Analysis

This is the body of the paper. You analyze the relationship based on your observations and past experiences with that person. You can compare and contrast the episodes to highlight specific aspects of the relationship (e.g. nonverbal communication, style of conversation, verbal communication etc.). Show how these concepts relate to each other and explain how these concepts shape the relationship. Support your claims with specific examples from your meetings and use research from the textbook. What would you like to improve about the relationship?

III. Evaluation

Summarize your thoughts and feelings by describing the health of this relationship and your role in shaping/changing its future.