Topic Selection for Individual Speech Presentation
Review this week's lecture. Think about a communication topic that you would like to learn more 
about. Look at the Table of Contents in your textbook for more ideas. E­mail your instructor early 
in the week to obtain speech topic approval for an informative or persuasive speech. Research 
your topic and create a good thesis statement. prepare at least three sentences for the main ideas 
concerning your topic. You will continue with this next week. Nothing is due yet in the Dropbox 
for your speech. Presentations are due in Week 6.
Note: Notify your instructor now by e­mail if you do not understand how to choose a speech 
topic.
Assignment: Conflict Analysis
Conflict Analysis Part 1: Observe an instance that you are not personally involved with where 
conflict is present (you will need to be a bit of a covert operator to accomplish this). Answer the 
following:
In a several detailed paragraphs, describe the conflict scene.
1a. Who was involved in the conflict? What was the relationship between the participants prior 
to the conflict? Did it appear as if the relationship between the participants had any impact on 
how either person responded to the conflict?
1b. When and where did it take place? Was it formal or informal? Planned or unplanned? What 
impact did the location and time have on the outcome?
1c. What transpired? (be specific)
Many times when we face conflict, there is a surface­level problem and an underlying problem. 
The surface­level problem acts only as a symptom of the real problem. Consider both.
1d. What was the surface problem?
1e. What was the underlying problem or the real problem? If this is unclear, what might you 
speculate the real problem to be?
There are many conflict management strategies that can be employed when dealing with 
conflict. Consider which were present in this conflict.
1f. Which conflict management strategies were employed by each of the participants? Did the 
conflict management strategies change during the course of the conversation? How do you 
know? (Note: Use the conflict terms on pages 188-189 in your text).
1g. What was the outcome? Was there a winner? A loser? Did there appear to be an impact on 
the relationship? If so, what was that impact?
1h. Looking back, describe at least two variables that could be changed in this scene to alter the 
outcome.
Conflict Analysis Part 2: Much of the learning in this course requires you to draw conclusions 
about your experiences and observations based on the concepts we have read about and 
discussed. Taking this into consideration:
2a., 2b. List two specific things you learned about conflict as a result of this exercise. Reference 
material from the text, threaded discussions, lecture, terminal course objectives, and so forth. 
Answers that demonstrate application of the course material and effective critical thinking will 
earn the greatest amount of points.