This paper must focus on a specific relationship. The directions are below but they are also on the syllabus if you’d like to look there.
Paper should be 6 pages.
You have two choices:
Choose a significant relationship in your life, such as your relationship with your spouse/boyfriend, girlfriend, your relationship with your parent/guardian/sibling, or your relationship with a longtime friend.
If you don’t want to write about yourself, choose a couple (romantic or friendship) you know that has been together several years, such as your grandmother and grandfather, your best friend and her husband, etc. Interview the members of the couple separately. You will listen to their stories of their relationship and analyze it.
In either case, feel free to change the names of the people you are writing about to protect their privacy.
Structure for Relationship Analysis Paper
Introduction
Identify the interpersonal relationship that will be the topic of the paper and briefly preview what the paper will discuss.
Background/History of the Relationship
What is the nature of this relationship?
How did it begin?
How long has this relationship existed?
How has this relationship progressed, evolved, changed, and/or developed?
Details of the Relationship
What needs does this relationship meet?
What are the rewards/demands of this relationship?
Communication within the Relationship (You can find these concepts in chapter 10)
If you are writing about a romantic relationship, describe the love style of each person in the couple and how each person’s love style impacts the relationship.
If you are writing about a friendship, describe the type of friendship (reciprocity, receptivity, association) that occurs in this relationship.
If you are writing about a family relationship, discuss the family type (traditional, independent, separate) and the family communication pattern (equality, balanced split, monopoly) represented in the relationship.
Conflict and Power within the Relationship
How is power used in this relationship?
What has been the nature of the interpersonal conflict in this relationship?
How has conflict handling style (competing, accommodating, avoiding, compromising, or collaborating) played a role in this relationship?
What conflict management strategies do the people in the relationship use?
Effectiveness of the Relationship
Are there any problems or areas that need to be improved in this relationship as you see it?
If so, what specific changes could improve this relationship?
If not, identify what factors make this relationship successful.
Conclusion
Sum up what you have told me.
