Theory Example Assignment Details
Assignment Overview
You will each be assigned a theory (based on stated preferences) and will be responsible
for finding and explaining an example that illustrates some or all of that theory. This assignment
has two parts: a written explanation and a presentation in class. Your task is to find an example
(either media – such as television, movie, magazine article – or personal experience) that
illustrates either all or part of that theory. In the class period after we finish covering that theory,
your example will be due. Once theories have been assigned, a calendar of due dates will be
made available to confirm presentation dates.
Written Portion
The written portion of the assignment includes a description of the example (and links or
details of the example if example is from a media source) as well as a description of how the
example illustrates the theory or a portion of the theory. An example of this written portion of the
assignment, as well as an outline with required headings for this portion, will be provided. The
written portion of the theory example will be posted to the class WolfWiki to allow other
students to access the theory examples. The theory example must be posted prior to class on the
due date in order to be considered submitted on time. Directions for posting to the WolfWiki will
be provided.
Your written portion will include the following sections (with headings)
1. Summary of Theory: This section will provide a summary of the theory in your own
words. This summary should be a paragraph in length (approximately 4-5 sentences).
2. Explanation of Example: Explain the example you have selected to illustrate some or
all of your assigned theory. Summarize the story/plot/experience that you are using as an
example. If the story or a clip is publicly available online, please link to that source here.
Your explanation should be 1-2 paragraphs, depending on the length of your example.
Relating the Theory and Example: Explain in a clear and thorough way the connection
between your example and the theory. This will include specific references to portions of
the theory and of your example.
Assessment of the Theory: Provide an assessment of the usefulness and/or limitations of
the theory based on your example. For example, perhaps your example may have
demonstrated most but not all of the theory. Your assessment should be at least a short
paragraph in length (3-4 sentences) but may be longer if you have more to critique.
Presentation Portion
The presentation portion of this assignment will be done in class on the due date. You
will share your example (or a portion of the example) with the class, provide an explanation of
why the example illustrates the theory, and briefly assess the theory in light of the example.
Video/audio clips should be no more than 2 minutes in length (you may choose to show only a
portion of a longer clip that is provided in your written assignment). Your total presentation
should be 6-7 minutes in length. Be prepared to answer questions from your classmates about the
example.
A rubric that covers both the written and presentation portions of this assignment will be
provided online. On the day you present, you are required to bring a printed copy of this rubric to
class.
Comments or Additions
You are encouraged to use the examples generated by your classmates to aid in your
learning. You can also add to an example under the “Comments or Additions” heading that will
appear on each wiki page. Please wait until after a classmate’s presentation before adding or
commenting on that wiki entry.
Late Work Policy for Theory Example
If you miss class for an unexcused absence on the day you are to present but your written
work is submitted on time, you will receive a 0 for the presentation portion of the assignment but
will receive credit for the written portion. If you miss class for an unexcused absence on the day
you are to present and do not have the written assignment posted before class, you will receive a
0 for the presentation portion of the assignment. Your grade for the written portion of the
assignment will be reduced by 10% if the written work is submitted by 5 p.m. that day. Written
work submitted up to 24 hours after the due date will take a 20% penalty. Work submitted up to
48 hours after the due date will take a 30% penalty. No work will be accepted after 48 hours.
If you miss class for an excused absence on the day you are to present, you will be
allowed to present your theory example upon your return to the class (unless prior arrangements
are made in the case of anticipated absences). If you are missing class due to an anticipated
absence (such as traveling for a sports team), you will be expected to post your theory example
by the assigned due date unless prior arrangements have been made. If you miss class for an
excused, but unanticipated absence (such as illness with documentation), you will be expected to
present your theory example in the following class period and have submitted your written work
prior to your return to class.
Working with the Wiki
1. Go to:
http://wikis.lib.ncsu.edu/index.php?title=COM_230_Section_002_Communication_Theory
(alternatively, go to http://wikis.lib.ncsu.edu and select “courses.” From the list of courses
categories, select “social sciences” and then select our course from the list).
2. In the upper right corner, choose “log in” and log in using your unity ID and password (note:
if you logged in to another university page recently, you may still be logged in. If the upper right
corner says “log out,” you are already logged in.)
3. From the Theory Listing, click on the name of your theory (be sure to check the date listed
next to the theory if your theory is listed more than once).
3. To the right of your theory’s name, you will see a link marked “Edit.” Select this link. An
editing page will open.
4. After each heading, leave a blank line and then enter your text. After each paragraph, leave a
blank line so the paragraphs are broken up. (Hint: You will want to type your entry into a
program such as Word and save a copy in case you have problems using the wiki. You will be
able to copy over each paragraph to the wiki).
If you want to add a link to a webpage type [http://www.example.com link name], using the
brackets and entering the URL of your site (including the http://) and replacing “link name” with
whatever you want the page to read. For example, if you replaced “link name” with “Example
from an Episode of Friends,” people would click on that phrase to follow your link.
5. When you are done adding content to the wiki, choose “save page.” Verify that your theory
example appears as you wish it to appear and that all links are functioning properly.
RUBRIC – Theory Example
A
B
C
D
F
Written
Summary of
Theory
(15%)
Concisely and
coherently
summarizes theory,
highlighting key
points
(15)
Covers majority
of key points but
shows shallow
understanding
(11.5)
Misses several
key points of
theory or
shows little
understanding
(10)
Summary
addresses
little of
relevance to
the theory
(8.5)
Written
Explanation
of Example
(15%)
Example is
pertinent to theory
as demonstrated in
thorough
explanation (15)
Covers main
points of
theory,
demonstrating a
general
understanding
(13)
Example is
pertinent to
theory;
explanation is
fairly thorough
(13)
Connection is
clearly made
demonstrating an
understanding of
both the theory and
example and
including specific
examples (25)
Clearly explains
strengths and
weaknesses of
theory based on
example (20)
Example has
minimal
relation to
theory;
explanation is
weak
(10)
Connection
between
theory and
example is
questionable
or unclear (16)
Example is
unrelated to
theory and
or is not
explained
(8.5)
Written
Relation of
Theory and
Example
(25%)
Example is
somewhat
pertinent to
theory;
explanation has
gaps
(11.5)
Connection
between theory
and example is
somewhat
appropriate but
has questionable
aspects (19)
Makes
assessment in
general terms
with loose
connection to
example (15)
Makes broad
assessment
unrelated to
example;
assessment
may be
unclear (12.5)
Explanation is
vague,
unclear, or
incomplete;
assessment is
inappropriate
(7)
Written
Assessment
(20%)
Oral
Explanation
of Example
and
Assessment
(10%)
Thorough and
concise
explanation;
explains major
issue(s) with
theory based on
specific parts of
example (10)
Oral
Relation of
Theory and
Example
(10%)
Written
Style
(5%)
Clear and concise
explanation;
reflects an ability
to articulate theory
details (10)
Free of grammar
and spelling errors;
formatting of
written work meets
assignment criteria
(5)
Connection is
made showing
a general
understanding
of theory and
example
including some
examples (22)
Discusses
strengths and
weaknesses of
theory with
some relation
to example
(17.5)
Explanation
mostly
complete but
may be off on
time; accurate
assessment but
somewhat
lacking in
examples (9)
Explanation
mostly
complete but
may be off on
time (9)
May contain 23 errors in
spelling or
grammar;
formatting of
written work
meets criteria
(4)
Explanation is
somewhat vague
or missing
important
information;
assessment is
somewhat vague
or unclear (8)
Explanation is
somewhat vague
or missing
important
information (8)
May contain
several errors but
is still readable;
work generally
meets formatting
criteria
(3)
Connection
between
theory and
example is
not made or
is not
appropriate
(13)
Assessment
is vague
and/or
unrelated to
example (10)
Explanation
and/or
assessment
lacking or
irrelevant (6)
Explanation is
vague,
unclear, or
incomplete (7)
Explanation
is lacking or
irrelevant (6)
Contains
numerous
errors in
grammar or
formatting
that may
interfere with
readability
(2)
Contains
numerous
errors that
interfere
with
readability
(1)
TOTAL out of 100:
Points