Com 4

Part 1

    Communication Apprehension

    One of the most frustrating challenges at work is communication apprehension. However, there are ways to overcome this challenge.Prepare: As you prepare to write this discussion post, take a few moments to do the following:

    • Read the writing prompt below in its entirety. Notice that there are three tasks:

      1. Identify one or two forms of communication apprehension you have experienced on the job.

      2. Explain at least two strategies to overcome the communication apprehension.

      3. Discuss the role of communication in being a professional.

    • Review your notes on Chapter 5: Developing Confidence: Coping with Insecurities about Interpersonal Communication.

    • Read Chapter 6: Interpersonal Communication in the Workplace.

    • Review the grading rubric.

    Reflect: Take time to reflect on a specific experience you had in the workplace where you faced the challenge of communication apprehension. Think about how to overcome this challenge. What changes can you make to improve how you communicate at work? Reflect on communication as both the problem and solution.Write: Based on course materials and your own reflections, address the following:

    • Describe a time you found yourself in a situation where you faced a specific form of communication apprehension in the workplace described by Bevan and Sole. Be sure to explain the apprehension itself and how you experienced it. If your work experience is limited, consider a time when you were working with others in a different context, such as school or a club.

    • Based on what you’ve learned from class this week, explain some specific strategies you can use to overcome the communication apprehension(s) you listed and make yourself a more competent communicator.  

    • Use the text to discuss the role of communication in being a professional.


    Part 2

    Attraction in Interpersonal Relationships
     
    Chapter 7 addresses various elements that attract us to other people when we first enter a relationship. It might be just one thing that we like about another person or it could be several things.Prepare: As you prepare to write this discussion post, take a few moments to do the following:

    • Read the writing prompt below in its entirety. Notice that there are two tasks:

      1. Identify what attracts you to others, based on one of the attraction theories covered by Bevan & Sole.

      2. Share an example of friendship you had that did not start off on solid ground, and explain what happened.

    • Review Chapter 7 in the course text. Focus especially on the section on attraction theory and identify what attracts you to others.

    • Begin with a solid explanation of attraction theory as described in our text. Then, use that theory to think through what attracts you to others. Do not forget to share an example from your own experience.

    • Review the grading rubric.

    Reflect: Take time to reflect on how we are attracted to others and what role communication plays in this process. Think about the role of first impressions and how they influence final friendship outcomes.Write: Based on attraction theory (outlined in our text), address the following:

    • What do you look for in other people when you first meet them? This could be a potential romantic partner or even a platonic friend. List as many qualities as you can think of and how they are related to what you’ve learned in this class about communication.

    • Relate your personal experience to attraction theory (Section 7.3), as described in our text.

    • Share an example of a time when you developed a friendship/relationship with someone whom you did not get along with at first. What initially attracted you to the person?  What changed for you?

    Thoroughly address all three elements of this prompt by writing at least two to three sentences on each element. Use the course readings at least once to help you make your points. Consider copying and pasting these tasks into a word file and addressing each of them separately.