Description
OVERVIEW
The goal of reflective writing is to interact with and integrate new information and apply it to
what you already know and practice, thereby achieving personal growth. You will write a total of
four reflection papers in this course. Each paper has a specific topic. All four papers have the
same basic purpose, structure and format. Each paper must maintain a good balance between 1)
examination and discussion of relevant course materials on the topic and 2) self-reflection on
how these phenomena play out in your own interpersonal communication contexts.
INSTRUCTIONS
Begin each paper with a specific reference or a quote from the week’s assigned readings. Use
this reference to anchor your discussion and reflections. Discuss the assigned topic by
comparing, contrasting, and synthesizing a variety of course materials by different authors. You
may also include additional sources and Scriptures. Provide a personal response to the topic and
course materials. Reflections may include new insights about yourself, your communication
style, and your relationships; realizations about existing communication barriers, challenges, and
opportunities in your personal and/or professional arena; communication strategies and skills that
you discovered and applied; and observed outcomes emerging from changes you have made.
Each paper must also include a biblical worldview/faith journey perspective as well as a brief
discussion of how your behavioral blend (as described by Carbonell) influences your
communication and actions on the given topic.
Each paper should be between 900 and 1,000 words long (3 pages of text). The content should be
engaging, substantive, and interesting. It should be written in a focused and concise manner and
be well organized with a logic progression of ideas and transitions that are clear and maintain
flow of thought. Submit as a Word document, formatted according to current APA style, free of
grammar, spelling, and other writing errors. A title page is expected, but an abstract is not
needed. Repeat the paper title on page 2 according to APA format, but do not use any
subheadings. Use APA style for both in-text citations and the reference page, while making sure
references correspond and are correct.
Reflection Paper: Communication Patterns Assignment
Petersen described and illustrated the importance of emotion regulation in interpersonal
communication using humorous terms such as the Flat-Brain Theory of Emotions, the Flat-Brain
Syndrome, and the Flat-Brain Tango (Chapters 3-7). Examine your emotion regulation skills,
feelings-versus-thoughts differentiation, and communication habits. Reflect on your
interpersonal communication behaviors in private and professional/public contexts.
Reflection Paper: The Role of Talker Assignment
Schultze and Badzinski provided Bible-based guidance for making sure the content of our
communication is truthful, honest, transparent, authentic, self-disclosing, relationship-enhancing,
faithful, and encouraging (Chapters 5-6). Petersen offered principles for making sure our talking
processes are effective, constructive, and balanced (Chapters 10-13). Examine yourself and the
messages you send in the role of talker in light of this material.
Reflection Paper: The Role of Listener Assignment
Page 2 of 2
Petersen offered guidance for making sure our listening practices are respectful, non-judgmental,
supportive, and constructive (Chapters 14-16). Schultze and Badzinski described the process of
attentive listening (Chapter 1). The also provided Bible-based principles for resolving
interpersonal conflicts and maintaining relational harmony (Chapter 7-8). Examine yourself as a
listener and communication partner in light of this material.
