COMM 172 DAC Good Communication is Glue Essay

COMM172 Fall 2022Final Project
Step 1: Identify a metaphor, gestural sequence or narrative structure that you can defend as a
conceptual system that structures cognition, guides behavior or facilitates social action.
Appropriate sources for this conceptual metaphor include scientific publications you may have
read in other classes, educational materials, political discourses, popular media etc. .
Examples of conceptual metaphors:
• Reading, writing and transcribing genetic information in a paper about DNA.
• Romantic relationships as contracts, journeys, or battles in a drama TV show.
• Immigration as a virus in political speeches.
Step 2: Develop an argumentative thesis that shows the relevance of this metaphor. Use the
following research questions to help brainstorm a thesis.
• What kinds of reasoning are possible because of this conceptual metaphor that wouldn’t
otherwise be possible?
• What are the social and cultural consequences of the use of this metaphor? How might
this metaphor relate to or implicitly enforce a cultural or social norm?
• How does this metaphor relate to embodied activities or the experience of the body in
space?
• Does this metaphor serve as a bridge across cultures by appealing to our shared
embodiment? Or does it show how metaphors are culturally specific and therefore can be
roadblocks to cross-cultural understanding?
Remember to define key terms and demonstrate your understanding of course concepts before
using them for your argument!
Example theses (based on above example metaphors)
• Because of entailments X Y and Z, the conceptual metaphor that considers genetics as a
process of reading and writing is incapable of accommodating productive new
computational approaches to DNA, and therefore is a roadblock to scientific progress.
• Because they consider their relationships as battles, characters in T.V. drama X are unable
to participate in social actions based on collaboration and solidarity.
• By describing immigration as a virus, political commentator X forecloses discussion of
immigration policies based on cooperative, bilateral relationships with nations from
which immigrants originate.
Step 3: Compose your project. You may write a traditional essay of 1200-1500 words, or you may
make a multimedia project (eg. a video presentation) with a 300-500 words written explanation
of the importance of the multimedia component. Rationales for a multimedia project include an
interest in gesture or a preferred method for visually demonstrating the spatial component of
metaphor. For either format, use at least 3 course texts.
Step 4: Submit on Canvas by December 9th at 11AM (the end of our final exam time).
Final project rubric
Explanation of
key terms and
concepts
A
Explanations of all
relevant course concepts
are clear, accurate, concise
and phrased in the
student’s own words.
B
C
D
Important course concepts
are explained accurately
with some reliance on
direct quotation.
Some explanations
inaccurate or missing.
Explanations rely on
direct quotations.
Explanations are
mostly missing or
inaccurate.
Thesis
Thesis is a clearly stated,
creative application of
conceptual metaphor
theory to an appropriate
domain.
Thesis is not clearly about
Thesis relates to conceptual
a conceptual metaphor or
metaphor and is from an
is not from an appropriate
appropriate domain.
source.
Argument for
relevance of thesis
to course topics
Relevance of thesis to
course topics is clear and
persuasive. Question of
“who cares?” is clearly
addressed.
Argument makes some
connections to course
concepts and attempts to
explain the stakes of its
claims.
Argument fails to connect
the thesis to relevant
debates discussed in the
course. Reader is left
wondering “who cares?”
Thesis is not
connected with
course topics.
Structure,
citations and style
Structure reflects and
serves content. Citations
are clear and consistent.
Style is compelling and
appropriate.
Structure adequately
supports content. Citations
are clear and consistent.
Writing style is
appropriate.
Structure is misleading or
confusing. Citations are
missing or inconsistent.
Writing style is mostly
appropriate.
Structure is mostly
lacking. Citations
are missing. Writing
style is
inappropriate.
Thesis is confusing
or missing.
Frequently Asked Questions
•
•
Should I quote the texts directly?
o Direct quotations are acceptable but paraphrases are
preferred as they demonstrate your ability to state the
argument in your own words.
What style is appropriate for a multimedia project?
o Instead of following norms of academic writing,
consider norms of professional multimedia projects
including legibility, accessibility and aesthetic
uniformity.
•
•
•
What citation style should I use?
o Any style (MLA, APA etc.) is fine. Cite your sources and
maintain consistency throughout the paper.
Can I cite a text we didn’t read in the course?
o You may at your own risk. It is safer to stick with course
texts which have been selected for their pertinence to the
topic.
How strict is the word limit?
o Not very strict—more of a guideline.