Cross-Gender Communication

Assignment Description:
This assignment asks you to deliver your research in the form of an academic research essay of 1000-1200 words, utilizing at least 5 sources with not more than 3 from the web.
Paper Format: 1000-1200 words; 1.5 spacing; Ariel or Calibri font size 12; separate title page including name, id, title, and date; page numbers; in-text citations and work cited in APA form; and 1” margins. Assignment Goals:  This assignment has three interrelated goals:
1. To ask you to take on a sophisticated research essay, working with primary sources, on a subject “Cross-Gender Communication Differences in the Workplace” i.e., Understanding cross-gender communication differences and how to be more effective in the workplace.
2. To encourage you to develop skills in delivering complex research effectively in written form.
3. To help you develop skills in presenting a powerful and articulate argument about a topic, using evidence to substantiate your claims.
Detailed Assignment: All, Introduction to Communication, students are required to complete an extended piece of academically rigorous research writing, designed to reinforce the theories and models related to Communication, Identify and use different types of communications, evaluate uses and effects of communication, locate, read and understand relevant resources on communication, and interpret local and global events in terms of communication concepts.

Theme: Effective “Cross-Gender Communication Differences in the Workplace”

Your research paper should include an argumentative thesis that represents your claim about your topic. This argument should be supported by evidence derived from both primary and secondary research. You should utilize at eight sources. The source can be online or print as an appropriate to your topic, but be sure to consider the ethos and credibility of the sources related to your topic. Source materials should be cited appropriately, using APA style for parenthetical documentation and your works cited.

Evaluation Criteria:
In brief, research papers are graded according to the following criteria:
Topic:
Interesting, nuanced; not clichéd or banal; appropriate for the assignment objectives and class theme
TITLE: Catchy, well-written title that gives the reader a sense of topic and argument
Thesis Statement:
Clear, precise, and well defined; sophisticated in both statement and insight, connecting to a larger issue
Argument:
Underlying argument developed in the essay matches thesis statement; essay delivers on the “promise” of the thesis; avoids tangents and digressions; author’s argument is clear and sophisticated; it is showcased and drives the essay (rather than evidence driving the essay)
Introduction:
Shows attention to audience and hooking the reader; clearly establishes topic and argument
Background & Definition:
Provides adequate background or theoretical framework to support the central argument; fully utilizes conceptual framework; defines relevant terms at the appropriate place
Conclusion:
Ties the paper together; resists relying exclusively on summary; demonstrates attention to crafting of language; works in conjunction with intro to bookend the argument
Evidence:
Strong, efficient use of specific forms of data to support the argument; uses both primary and secondary evidence. Synthesizes multiple arguments from different types of sources appropriate to topic – strong sense of the conversation about the topic & proof of rigorous research
Evidence-Integration and Analysis: Effective use of summary, paraphrase, and direct quotations to support claims; polished use of signal phrases and attributions; consistently and more efficiently comments on, adds to, qualifies, and critiques source material.
Evidence- Ethical use:
Ethical use of source material; provides context and appropriate citation/documentation
Visual Evidence:
If uses visuals, uses as evidence to support argument rather than as decoration; includes image source citations after works cited/bibliography
Structure-Coherence and Fluidity:
Well-constructed, purposeful coherent structure; arrangement of paragraphs leads the reader through argument effectively; good sense of forward momentum
Structure-Cohesive/Coherent Paragraphs:
Each paragraph has a logical, Cohesive purpose
Transitions:
Fluid transitions between paragraphs and ideas; demonstrates conceptual relationship between items/ideas; develops, reinforces or builds on central claim; if uses subheads, uses them in conjunction with transitions rather than instead of and creates rhetorical, compelling subheads
Ethos:
Clearly establishes the ethos of the author as a writer and researcher
Style: Clear, consistent, and engaging; appropriate to topic and audience; avoids bias
Crafting:
Shows attention to crafting language and structure through word choice, sentence structure, rhythm, voice, pacing, and efficient use of rhetorical appeals and strategies of development
Design and Delivery:
Attention to aesthetics of design
Correctness:
Demonstrates mastery of appropriate conventions of academic discourse, format, grammar, punctuation, source citation, and language usage

Evaluation Rubric:

The students identified different types of media communications by critically explaining and analysing effective communication issues by applying different media communication theories. (5 Points)
The students identified and evaluate gender communication and its uses and effects in the work place. (5 Points)
The students demonstrated the knowledge of different cultural and political issues involved in media communications by locating, reading, and understanding relevant media resources. (5 Points)
The students interpreted local and global events in terms of media communications, law, ethics and principles related to media practices. (5 Points)