Final Paper Draft: Interpersonal Communication in COM200 Course

This final paper draft for COM200: Interpersonal Communication explores the principles and barriers to effective communication, emphasizing the importance of honesty, active listening, and nonverbal cues. It analyzes the role of communication in developing and maintaining self-concept, self-image, and self-esteem, highlighting how these aspects influence interpersonal relationships. The paper differentiates appropriate levels of self-disclosure in various relationships and discusses the impact of gender and culture on communication styles, including how awareness of these themes can help improve communication. The author uses examples to illustrate key concepts and suggests strategies for overcoming communication barriers within both personal and professional contexts. The paper concludes with a restatement of the thesis and key points discussed throughout the analysis, drawing on academic sources and personal experiences to provide a comprehensive overview of interpersonal communication dynamics.

Running Head: Insert your title
Final Paper Draft
Student’s Name
COM200: Interpersonal Communication
Instructor’s Name
Date (Sample March 19, 2014)

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Introduction AND Thesis Statement
The communication is the procedure of conveying and receiving verbal and nonverbal messages.
It is a process where two or more persons pursue to create shared meaning by using verbal and
nonverbal messages. The communication is a key aspect in the routine lives. The effective
communication will assist in constructing strong relationships. Here are various ways to enhance
communication and there are also barriers which hampers the communication. This paper will
explain the ways to enhance communication skills and the way to be a capable communicator. It
helps in gaining and maintaining strong relationships if a person communicate effectively and
comprehends the ways to enhance communication skills.
I. Explain the principles of and barriers to competent/effective interpersonal
communications.
A) Topic Sentence: The communication can be verbal or nonverbal but learning about the
barriers which hampers effective communication can be helpful in enhancing overall
communication skills.
B) Explain two principles of competent/effective interpersonal communications.
It is a simple task to take accountability for own communication behavior but individuals fail to
obey to it. In order to boost this significant principle, a person can be honest and precise. At the
time of engaging in a conversation with a person who does not appropriately comprehend the
topic in the question, represents possibility of being dishonest and sometimes even unreliable. It
happens generally when a person has no experience in a task but pretends as he/she have enough
knowledge of the task in the question.

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C) Why do the principles matter?
The principles matter as these help in effectively communicating with others. The
communication is considered as key in relationships and Bevan and sole describes how to
successfully communicate.
D) What are at least two barriers to communication? This also needs to be “explained,” not
just listed.
The persons engaged in the conversation may not always make eye contact or agree with others.
It is required to listen and appraise the opinion of others before reacting. It also happens in some
incidents that the physical gesture speak negatively more than the actual response. Controlling
body language is equally important as the verbal response. A simple eye roll can conceivably
represent annoyance which can make other party misinterpret which is tried to communicate.
E) Use an example to illustrate your understanding of the principles and barriers.
The interpersonal communication is considered very significant in the relationships and
marriages. But it can be in effective in the long term relationships. It is very hard to maintain
long term relationship for me and John, as he works all the time out of the city. The
communication between us is also not consistent. But when you love someone, you make it
worth. So we do videos and express feelings.
Misperception is the additional barrier which can end the relationship. I hate it when I text to my
boyfriend and he takes 2 to 3 hours to reply back and that too with one word reply. When I tell
him the issue, he says that he was not ignoring but busy in the meeting.
F) How can your couple or group of co-workers overcome the barriers you have listed?
The barrier faced can be overcome by giving full time to each other. John and I can collaborate on the
weekends and holidays. Giving time each other can be helpful in overcoming the barriers.in the other
case, the individual should inform his girlfriend that he is going to attains meeting and will not be able to
respond messages and calls.

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II. Analyze the role of communication in developing and maintaining one’s self-
concept, self-image, and self-esteem. – At least 3 paragraphs.
A. Topic Sentence: This sentence introduces the topic of your paragraph. What
central point(s) do you want to make about ideas of the self and communication?
How a person represents itself depend on the self-concept, self-image and self-esteem. A person should
be aware of the partner’s self-concept, self-image and self-esteem.
B. Definitions of key terms – self-concept, self-image, and self-esteem.
Improving self-image like enhancing skills takes time along with the practice. Emerging good self-esteem
comprises inspiring a positive attitude towards own along with the world around. It helps in appreciating
worth. It also includes behaving accountability towards others. Self-esteem is a self-respect and is not
regarded as self-absorption.
C. Supporting Evidence: What do experts say is the relationship between
communication and psychology? Don’t forget citations - (Bevan & Sole, 2014, p.75). (2
to 3 sentences)
D. Avoid just using a quote from a source. Explain what you think the author means.
(2 to 3 sentences).
E. Why does this matter generally? Why does this matter for your couple? –
(Minimum 3 sentences).
Transition to next section on self-disclosure – 1 sentence.

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III. Differentiate appropriate levels of self-disclosure (and emotional intelligence – optional)
in various relationships – Use at least 3 paragraphs. We understand that you have not read the
section on emotional intelligence yet. So, covering this topic is optional. However, you will
have to cover this for the final paper. Therefore, you might want to read ahead and address that
theme here to get feedback on your understanding.
A. Topic Sentence: What central point do you want to make about self-disclosure
(and emotional intelligence)? If you cover emotional intelligence, try to connect to self-
disclosure. (1 to 2 sentences)
B. What does it mean to “differentiate” and what do Bevan and Sole have to say
about “appropriate” communication? Think about context and goals. (3 sentences)
C. It is always a good idea to define key terms. So, what is self-disclosure? If you
are ambitious, go ahead and define emotional intelligence as well. (Minimum 2
sentences)
D. What levels of self-disclosure are necessary for your audience (either a group of
co-workers or a couple)? (2 sentence)
E. As an added bonus, you can answer this question - How will emotional
intelligence help them? (Minimum 3 sentences)
Transition to next section on gender and culture – 1 sentence.

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IV. Analyze the impact of gender and culture on interpersonal communications. – Use
at least 3 paragraphs.
A. Topic Sentence: What central point(s) do you want to make about culture and
gender? Think through how awareness of both of these themes can help your audience
improve as communicators. (1 Sentence)
1. Supporting Evidence: The best papers will use an academic source and
personal experience. Don’t forget citations (Bevan & Sole, 2014, p.75). (At least
3 sentences)
B. Again, it is a good idea to define key terms.
1) With that in mind, what is culture and what is gender versus sex? (At least 4
sentences)
2) Why is culture intertwined with communication? Consider both the ways we think
(how we form our values and beliefs), the ways we talk, and nonverbal
communication including proxemics and haptics. (At least 4 sentences)
3) Is the idea of gender orientation useful here? If so, define that term as well. (At least
2 sentences)
4) How does cultural training in gender orientation influence how we communicate?
(At least 2 sentences)
5) How does communication (and cultural training about gender) influence our gender
orientation? (At least 2 sentences)

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C. Why does this matter generally? Why does this matter for your couple or co-
workers? (You will likely need at least 3 sentences)
V. Conclusion - Thesis statement revisited with highlights of your key points. Avoid
introducing new themes and simply copying and pasting your introduction. (1 Paragraph)

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Sample References
Bevan, J. L., & Sole, K. (2014). Making connections: Understanding interpersonal
communication (2nd ed.) [Electronic version]. Retrieved from
https://content.ashford.edu/
Schoenberg, N. (2011, January 17). Can we talk? Researcher talks about the role of
communication in happy marriages. McClatchy-Tribune News Service. Retrieved from
ProQuest Newsstand. Document ID: 2240370261