Assignment Guide: Exploring Body Modification and Communication
Assignment Overview:
Objective: To analyze and establish connections between a chosen form of body modification, its communicative aspects, and the methods by which this communication is conveyed.
Length: 6 (full)-8 pages (this does not include a title page or reference page)
Focus Areas: Performance, intercultural, nonverbal, interpersonal, or other communicative ideas
Steps to Complete the Assignment:
1. Choosing a Body Modification:
Select a specific form of body modification (e.g., tattoos, piercings, scarification, body painting, etc.) that interests you. Be specific here. Don’t just pick “tattoos” pick a specific type of style/culture to really get in-depth with the topic. You don’t need to pick a hyper-specific topic to start, but consider how hard it is to write about “tattoos” and be thorough and complete in only 6 pages.
Consider its cultural, historical, or personal significance.
2. Research and Gather Information:
Conduct comprehensive research on the chosen body modification.
Explore its cultural, historical, or social context and its evolution over time.
Investigate its communicative aspects: What messages, meanings, or symbolism does it convey? How do different cultures or societies perceive it?
3. Identify Communication Aspects:
Analyze how the chosen body modification communicates to others.
Consider its role in self-expression, identity, belonging, or social signaling.
Examine nonverbal cues, intercultural differences, or interpersonal interactions related to this modification.
4. Connect with Communication Concepts:
Explore various communication theories or concepts that align with your chosen body modification and its communicative elements (this can include theories and ideas not discussed in class).
Relate these theories or concepts to how the modification communicates messages to different audiences or within specific contexts.
5. Structure of the Paper:
Introduction:
Introduce the chosen body modification and its relevance in today’s society.
Provide an overview of the paper’s structure and objectives.
Body:
Present detailed information about the body modification, its historical/cultural context, and significance.
Discuss its communicative aspects and how it conveys messages or meanings.
Connect the modification to communication theories or concepts, exploring its significance in various contexts.
Conclusion:
Summarize the main points discussed in the paper.
Reflect on the significance of understanding body modification as a form of communication.
Suggest potential areas for future research or exploration.
6. Writing Style and Citations:
Use clear and concise language, maintaining a formal tone throughout the paper.
Ensure proper citations and referencing of all sources used.
Follow a consistent citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) as per the instructor’s guidelines.
7. Revision and Proofreading:
Review and revise the paper for coherence, clarity, and logical flow of ideas.
Proofread thoroughly to eliminate grammatical, spelling, or typographical errors.
Additional Tips:
Engage with a diverse range of scholarly sources, including academic journals, books, and reputable online resources.
Create an outline before starting the paper to organize your thoughts and structure the content effectively.
Grading Criteria:
Research depth and breadth-50 points
Connection and analysis of body modification and communication-50 points
Organization and clarity of the paper-40 points
Writing quality and mechanics-30 points
Proper citations and evidence usage-15 points
Proper References Page in APA Format-15 points
The goal of this paper is to give you something to do your own research on and create a paper that could be expanded upon as a future research paper or potential conference paper in the future. This will be due at 11:59 pm on May 26th.
Submissions should have ample detail, a clear pattern of organization with a focused approach, and citations used throughout the paper to reflect the research.
Papers should be in 12-point font, Times New Roman, and double-spaced.
