Overview

Each week, you will submit a two-page journal entry on a topic defined by your instructor (below). These assignments are called journal entries because they require you to become self-aware, take a look at yourself and your relationships, and define a clear action plan for improvement.

Journal

You may have noticed as you’ve been reading your text – at the end of each chapter there is a section that provides guidelines for competence, effectiveness, or improvement (e.g., “Guidelines for Interpersonal Communication Competence” in Chapter 1, “Guidelines for Improving Self-Concept” in Chapter 2, and so forth). Use these sections to write this week’s journal.

Part 1

Out of the guidelines provided at the end of all 12 chapters, select three areas in which you excel from three different chapters. How do you know you excel in those three areas? Provide examples and evidence to support your position.

For example, I might choose monitoring my communication from Chapter 1, owning my feelings from Chapter 7, and showing respect and consideration from Chapter 12.

Part 2

Out of the lists provided at the end of all 12 chapters, what are three areas you will commit to improving upon? What are the barriers to your ability to be competent or improve in that area? What is your action plan for improvement? How will you know when you’ve improved? Please be very specific in describing how you will improve, and how you will know when you have improved.

For example, I might choose avoiding mind reading from Chapter 3, identifying my emotions from Chapter 7, and engaging in duel perspective from Chapter 11.

Part 3 (OPTIONAL and not graded)

In a brief paragraph, please discuss how the class has personally impacted your communication in unexpected ways.  Do you have any suggestions on ways to improve the course?

• Due: Sunday 11:59pm (PT)
• Length: Two pages
• Requirements:
• Use terminology from the text along with relevant example. 
• Use APA style for citations to the text, other course resources, and outside sources.
• Include a reference page for all sources you cite.
• MS Word format.
• Grading: 
• 5% of your final grade. 
• The Journal grading rubric is available here and on the Course Resources page.