CHARACTER STUDY PAPER
Purpose: This purpose of this assignment is to assist you in understanding nonverbal communication behaviors that we have discussed in this course. This assignment asks you to watch an episode or two of a favorite television show or a movie and track the nonverbal behaviors of one character and then write a paper explaining the nonverbal behavior of your selected character. Your paper should follow proper writing guidelines and demonstrate understanding and application of concepts, ideas, and theories in Nonverbal Communication. Before you complete the final paper you will submit a rough draft of the paper using the outline provided on eCampus.
Introduction: Include a clear introduction with a thesis statement that overviews the paper.
Part 1: Describe the television show you watched with a brief, but clear overview. Then give an overview of any necessary details from the specific episode, episodes, or movie you watch for this assignment.
Part 2: Describe the character whose nonverbal behavior you tracked. Include any details in this section that would help the reader understand your paper even if they have never watched or even heard of the show and character you are writing about. Include a brief rationale for why you chose this character and television show.
Part 3: After tracking the nonverbal behavior of your character, select at least four concepts from the course (i.e. kinesics, proxemics, touch, face, vocal cues, chronemics, eye behavior, etc.) that are applicable to your character. Thoroughly explain each concept. In your explanation be sure to define each concept and provide a general example (not an example from what you watched) to help support your explanation. *The bulk of your paper should be in Part 3 and Part 4.*
Part 4: Explain the nonverbal behaviors of your selected character in detail. Include the concepts that you defined and discussed in Part 3 and describe how they were enacted by your character. Describe any patterns in nonverbal behavior that you noticed. Does your character have a nonverbal “style” and if so, what was it? Be sure to be thoughtful in your application of nonverbal concepts and include specific ideas and examples from the show. *The bulk of your paper should be in Part 3 and Part 4.*
Conclusion: Include a clear conclusion that overviews the paper and makes a final statement about the nonverbal behavior of the character you wrote about.
Draft Requirements
Your draft should be completed using the outline template provided on eCampus. The goal of completing the draft is to outline or bullet point list what you think you will include in each section of the paper which will help you stay organized and help you meet the goals of the assignment. Completing this draft is worth 25 points.
Final Paper Requirements:
• Your paper must be 4-6 FULL pages (not including title page)
• Title Page (an example title page is linked on eCampus)
• Double-spaced, Times New Roman font, 1” margins, running head including page numbers
• Headings for Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, and Conclusion
• Submit on eCampus in .doc, docx, or .pdf format
