COM 320 Week 4 Observation Paper

Instructions

Visit a restaurant, movie theater, park, shopping mall, or other public venue.

Observe individual verbal and nonverbal behaviors in one of these settings for at least one hour.

Record copious notes on the verbal and nonverbal behaviors you observe, and assess the meaning behind them.

Write a 700- to 1,100-word paper describing your observations.

Describe the location, time, and day, and preview the remainder of the paper in the introduction.

Address the following questions in the body of your paper:

• Analyze the ways the individuals used space to communicate. Did they violate other’s personal space, or maintain an unusual distance from people with whom they communicated?
• What did clothing, jewelry, and material possessions reveal about the individuals?
• What did the individuals’ appearances reveal about the formality or context of the situation?
• Was the verbal and nonverbal communication congruent?
• How did other nonverbal behaviors affect your perceptions of each individual?

Address the following question in the conclusion:

• What is the most valuable lesson learned from this observation?

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.