COM 324 Response Paper 1 - Irwin Mallin, IPFW Communication

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COM 324 – Organizational Communication – Fall Semester 2010 – Instructor: Irwin Mallin

Response Paper 1 – Critique of Theory – Due at the Beginning of Class on Thursday, February 10

In the first part of this course we are looking at the different early approaches to studying and understanding communication in organizations. Since you've all been part of organizations of one form or another for some time now, you should be drawing upon your experience to develop opinions about the theories we discuss. Some theories may strike you as particularly useful in developing your understanding (as when our class discussion or your reading of a theory leads you to think, "Ooh, that explains it!"). Other theories may strike you as not so useful (as when you think, "Gosh, that's stupid!"), while others may strike you as incomplete (as when you think, "Yeah, but what about the times when....?")

This paper is your chance to explore those reactions in depth. Choose any theory from Chapters 2 or 3 in the 5th edition (or Chapters 1, 2, or 3 in the 4th edition) and write a paper in which you evaluate the theory. The paper should have a paragraph or two in which you explain the theory and its uses in your own words. There should also be a thesis statement early in the paper in which you "make the call" on the usefulness of this theory. In one sentence, this statement will tell your readers whether the theory is always, sometimes or never useful and why. Then draw upon your personal workplace experiences to demonstrate the strengths and/or shortcomings of the theory as well as how the theory may be used to guide organizational practice.

Your goal here is to make an argument, illustrate it with examples from workplace events/practices you have participated in or observed, and explain how those illustrations support your argument. That is, you are progressing from your initial reaction to the theory to a developed argument. That is, you are moving from saying "Gosh, that's stupid" to "This theory is deficient because....," from “Ooh, that explains it” to “This theory is useful because....,” or from “But what about the times when...” to “This theory’s utility is limited by....”

Generalizations will not lead to good papers. Support any assertion you make with a specific example from your workplace. When I read the paper I should be able to "see" the workplace events/practices to which you're referring.

You may define the theory you write about as broadly or as narrowly as you wish, but the paper will be stronger the more you can focus your critical insights. In other words, you should write about what you have the most to say about.

The best papers will have reasonably detailed analysis, display creativity, insight, and be logically organized. They will also demonstrate your understanding of and ability to apply the theory you choose. Of course, they’ll also be grammatically correct and free of spelling and punctuation errors. Include an introduction in which you set up your paper as well as a conclusion in which you wrap up.

The essay should be between three and five pages in length. It should be typed (double spaced, margins of 1" all around, font no larger than 12). It should also be stapled. Of course, keep a copy of your paper. Be sure to keep a copy of your paper.

IMPORTANT: USE THE FOLLOWING SECTION HEADINGS IN YOUR PAPER EXACTLY AS THEY APPEAR HERE

I. INTRODUCTION (includes brief attention-getter, thesis statement and preview)
II. THE THEORY (very brief explanation – just a paragraph, maybe two – in your own words)
III. MY ANALYSIS (the bulk of your paper)
IV. CONCLUSION

Hints for success for this paper:

•Make sure you do everything called for in these directions.
•Don't wait until the last minute to do this! Start now, take your time, and use the services of the Writing Center in Kettler G19 if you need to.
•You are invited to show me a draft or discuss potential paper topics in office hours or by appointment.

For students required to produce a communication major portfolio, this paper can serve as evidence under for the learning objective "Be able to articulately explain communication concepts and theories relevant to your major."

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