Being able to discern the main points and implications of theories discussed in Griffins "First Look at Communication theory" chapter 5 (symbolic interactionism).
Paragraph #1 should describe the theory you are reviewing:
Paragraph #2 should identify what you consider to be the implications of the theory:
Summary and Implication Papers
The goal of Summary and Implication (S&I) papers is to summarize AND provide insight into a theory described in the Griffin text. Being able to discern the main points and implications of theories will be an important skill to develop in the longer papers as well.
GUIDELINES
Your final draft should be two paragraphs and no more than one double-spaced typed page with one-inch margins and 12-point Times New Roman font. Points will be deducted for not following this format.
Paragraph #1 should describe the theory you are reviewing:
-Try to begin with a sentence that identifies the general focus of the theory. For example, define the issue being addressed or the theorist's general perspective.
-The remainder of the first paragraph should identify the theory's key concepts, major points or arguments. For example, identify the claims the theory is making or the assumptions being advanced. As an alternative, you might identify the primary variables or "things" that a theorist examines, and summarize the relationship between those variables, according to the theory.
-This first paragraph is descriptive in nature. In other words, provide enough information to present the basic framework of the theory and all its important parts. You will not have room to expand beyond the key concepts. Lastly, you should not evaluate the theory (i.e., state whether or not you think it's good or bad).
Paragraph #2 should identify what you consider to be the implications of the theory:
-Assume that the theorist's claims are true (whether you agree with them or not). Think about what the theorist's ideas imply about communication processes or human interaction in general or in particular contexts. For example, you might describe other conclusions about communication that could be drawn from the theory that are not specified by the theorist. In a sense, you are to identify what else ought to be true if the theory is assumed to be true.
-Your goal is to identify four claims about communication that are implied by the theory, but not already stated by the theory. Thus, this paragraph should not reiterate assumptions that are part of the theory or implications stated by Griffin in the chapter. Implications should not simply restate what the theory is already telling us. Provide four statements, that we can imply are true if the theory is assumed to be true.
-This paragraph involves extending the theorist's ideas, not evaluating them. Thus, you should not dwell on whether you think the theory is good or bad, right or wrong, clear or ambiguous, or whether you "like it."
-Focus on generating general claims implied by the theory, rather than using personal anecdotes to exemplify an implication.