General Purpose and Audience

Communication Studies examines all modes of communication, including theories of communication, group communication, information theory, intra- and inter-personal communication, marketing, organizational communication, propaganda, public affairs, public relations, speech communications, rhetoric, mass communication, web-based communication, and social media. All industries and all human interaction depend on the ability to read, write, compute, communicate, and think critically. Communication studies majors are prepared for many careers in the arts, in health communication, the business professions, politics, public advocacy or government work, education, training and media, as well as further graduate and professional study in law, social services, and education. Majors may find jobs as varied as proofreaders, actors, lawyers, copywriters, television or radio announcers, journalists, technical writers, sportscasters, advertising executives, market researchers, publishers, producers, graphic artists, counselors, recruiters, and many other careers. Audiences include educators, various employers, peers, the general public, voters, consumers, and other specifically targeted groups, depending on what area and career the person pursues.

Types of Writing

  • Abstracts

    • Summaries of articles or research reports including background information, methods, results, and discussion of the research

  • Literature Reviews/ Annotated Bibliographies

    • Summaries and evaluations of sources for research proposals

  • Research Prospectuses

    • Plans for a proposed study, including research questions or hypotheses, methods of acquiring data, testing of hypotheses, and analyzing of data

  • Research Proposals

    • Plans of action

  • Critical Essays

    • Analyses and critiques of both scholarly articles and public discourse

  • Outlines/ Scripts

    • For speeches, written reports or debates

  • Analytical Reports

    • With references and sources, perhaps utilizing interviews and case studies

  • Case Studies

  • Business Letters and Memos

  • Reflective Essays

Types of Evidence

  • Qualitative Analysis
    • Observations, case studies, interviews, focus groups
  • Quantitative Analysis
    • Surveys, experimentation, content analyses
  • Critical Approaches
    • Rhetorical criticism, discourse analysis, textual analysis

Writing Conventions

  • First person is acceptable in many communication studies classes

  • Write clearly in a formal voice, applying critical thinking skills

  • Demonstrate creativity and artistic expression

  • Writing should be carefully proofread for errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and typographical errors

  • Academic, scholarly sources are required to establish credibility

Documentation Style

MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association) are the most commonly used styles

Individual professors may stipulate what style they prefer.

Sources Consulted

Arai, Aimi. “Writing in Communication Studies.” Sacramento State University, http://www.csus.edu/wac/wac/students/major%20sites/communication_studies.html Accessed 26 Sept. 2017.

University of Miami. “Communication Studies.” 2017, https://com.miami.edu.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Writing Center. “Communication Studies.” 2017, http://writingcenter.unc.edu.

University of North Carolina Wilmington. Career Center. “Communication Studies.” http://uncw.edu/career/communicationstudies.html. Accessed 25 Sept. 2017.