| Introduction The Impact Paper is a form of writing that examines and observes the progress of the writer through the analysis of their individual experience. While reflective in nature, these essays explain and analyze the development of the student and also discuss future applications. When writing a personal essay, like the Impact Paper, it is important to use descriptive language. In doing so, you are demonstrating to your instructor that you are familiar with the subject matter of the course, and that you have thought critically about your development as a student during the semester. This paper is based on your own experiences, so it is expected that you will write about yourself, your own ideas, and your own opinions. As a result, it is completely acceptable to use first person pronouns such as “I” or “me” in this essay. You can be as creative as necessary. That being said, don’t let a focus on creativity take precedence over the important task of articulating to your instructor what “impact” taking this course has had on your life outside of class. Assignment Description The Impact Paper is a three to four-page reflection essay. After re-reading your journal entries, you will examine your skills and weaknesses in the field of nonverbal communication, as you have encountered them herein. You might (you don’t have to) reflect on some of the following: What are you “best” at when communicating nonverbally? In what area do you struggle the most? Have any of your primary relationships changed or been affected by the material you have learned in class? Are there any areas of nonverbal communication that you want to work on improving in? Is this material more applicable in your personal or professional life? Did you find that you already knew a lot of the information we covered in class? Are you behaving differently on dates/with your friends/at work based on things you have learned in class? Has learning about various actions and behaviors been eye-opening or disappointing? What have you noticed about yourself as far as “tells” or actions that you are now able to identify based on what you’ve learned? Because this is an informal reflection essay, you do not need to format this paper in APA. However, the following guidelines still apply: Typed, double-spaced pages in twelve-point Times New Roman font, with one inch margins all around. Complete sentences, correct grammar/spelling/et cetera. Length matters; try not to exceed the page limits. |
