This document outlines the requirements for a final analysis paper assignment for an Introduction to Communication course. Students must analyze a type of communication interaction exemplified in the movie The Devil Wears Prada, focusing on at least three communication principles and one communication theory. The 3-5 page paper must describe the interaction, discuss how principles and theory apply to examples from the movie, and be formatted according to APA style with references. Topics are limited to interpersonal relationships, organizational communication, small groups, or intercultural communication.

1. COM 203: Introduction to Communication Final Analysis Paper
150 points
Your final paper will be related to the movie The Devil Wears
Prada. We will watch this movie during class time, but if you
are absent from class on the day(s) the movie is shown, it will
be your responsibility to obtain a copy of the film and watch it
outside of class on your own time. The movie exemplifies many
of the different types of communication interactions we have
learned throughout the course. Pick
1 type of interaction
that you will focus your paper on:
Ø
Interpersonal relationships (both romantic and friendship)
Ø
Organizational communication (superior/subordinate, and
colleagues)
Ø
Small group communication
Ø
Intercultural communication (remember this is not just based on
race/ethnicity but may also
include people from different social circles or different
priorities)
Note: When making this decision it is important to consider
which topic is of most interest to you. You may want to watch
some of the movie before making your decision. Therefore, I
recommend you take notes on each type of interaction so that
you can make your decision at a later time.
Within each of these types of interactions you will see a number
of different communication principles we have learned
throughout the course. You will pick a
minimum of 3 principles
to focus on:
Ø
Verbal communication (language, language functions,

2. connotative/denotative, concrete/abstract, direct/indirect
perception checking)
Ø
Nonverbal communication (nonverbal codes)
Ø
Listening and adapting to others (listening styles, barriers to
listening, noise, perception
checking)
Ø
Leadership and power
Ø
Organizational climate and culture (upward/downward,
communication traits, bureaucracy)
Ø
Diversity (labeling, prejudice, discrimination,
ethnocentrism/chauvinism, cultural
dimensions, role-taking, assuming similarity/differences, in-
group/out-group)
Ø
Relational escalation and de-escalation
Ø
Conflict and conflict resolution
Ø
Mass communication and media literacy (convergence, platform
agnostic, media multi-
taskers, media addiction, concentration of ownership, hyper-
commercialism, product placement)
Note: Each bullet point counts as one principle. For example
you might choose (1) verbal communication, (2) leadership and
power, and (3) organizational climate and culture. Within each
of these categories you can focus on as many subtopics as you
wish. However, if you only discuss language, its functions, and
connotative/denotative language that only counts as one
principle, not three!
Finally, you must include a
minimum of 1 communication theory

3. we have discussed in class:
Ø
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
Ø
Expectancy Violations Theory
Ø
Uncertainty Reduction Theory
Ø
Social Penetration Theory
Ø
Social Exchange Theory
Ø
Relational Dialectics Theory
Ø
Structuration Theory
Ø
Systems Theory
Ø
Theory of Bureaucracy
Ø
Social Identity Theory
Ø
Identity Negotiation Theory
Ø
Cultivation Theory
Ø

4. Social Cognitive Theory
Ø
Critical Cultural Theory
Ø
Parental Mediation Theory
Ø
Agenda-Setting Theory
You will write a
3-5 page essay
explaining your topic to someone with no background in
communication. This means that you must explain your
arguments fully and show me that you understand the concepts.
Ø
First, you must clearly describe the communication interaction
you have chosen to focus on (Is it a friendship? A romantic
relationship? Professional relationship? Group? Etc.) Tell us
who the characters are and describe the relationship in general.
What is their communication like? How do you know that they
are friends, or partners, or colleagues? Provide specific
examples from the movie that relate to what we have learned
about that type of relationship.
Ø
Second, you will discuss at least three communication
principles and how they relate to the relationship of focus. Each
principle should be fully explained and you should provide
specific examples from the movie. Make note of things that
were done well and not so well. Explain how the characters
could have improved communication in that instance.
Ø
Third, you will use at least one communication theory to help
explain the communication you witnessed in the movie. You
must first explain the theory in detail. What is it used for? What
are the main tenets? Then, explain how the theory can be

5. applied to the specific communication interactions you
discussed in your paper. Use specific examples.
Please keep in mind the following information:
ü
Your paper should have a clear introduction and conclusion.
Your conclusion should relate back to your introduction and tie
your whole paper together. Bring it full-circle.
ü
Include a clear thesis statement. This should be a 1-2 sentence
overview/summary of your paper. What is the goal or purpose
of your paper?
ü
Use APA formatting: typed, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, title
page (with running head and page numbers), in-text citations
(Author Last Name, Year), and a reference page. See OWL at
Purdue website.
ü
Cite at least 5 sources. Use research findings from previous
studies (academic journal articles) that help support what you
saw in the movie or challenge it. You may cite the book as one
of your sources.
ü
Please adhere to the page limit. If you go over 5 pages, you will
need to cut it down.
ü
Be sure to proofread your paper for formatting and grammatical
errors before submitting it.
ü
Your paper must be turned in on Blackboard at the start of class
on the due date listed on the syllabus. Late papers will not be
accepted.