I was assigned to do this research into the Relational Dialectics Theory in my introductory communication course. The Relational Dialectics Theory lays out contradictory forces through the use of internal and external contradictions that can be applied to the communication of any interpersonal relationship to understand people. My research is quality research and can be proven by looking at the purpose and central concept, the identification of the audience and how they affect the message, and examples to execute the message strategy.
The purpose of the research paper was to persuade the audience that the theory is a good theory. I stated in my thesis, “The Relational Dialectics Theory is a strong theory that illuminates the inherent struggles in all relationship in multiple contexts.” To prove that I went on to the central concept by looking at how the theory is broad and represents an understanding of people that is simple, used responses to the dialectics, and gave examples of the theory applied to different types of relationships.
Before writing, I had to analyze who my audience was and how they affected the way I conveyed my message. My audience was not only my professor of the course, but I attempted to write it for an educational purpose of anyone looking into the communication field and looking at theories as I explain what the theory is and the components of it. Also, communication scholars could potentially be the audience of my research. That is why I used professional language, but broke down the theory and made each component easy to understand at a collegiate level. I explained each part of the theory using using professional language and then used examples that were easy to understand, for example, “The internal contradiction that RDT looks is the connection vs. autonomy. This deals with the internal struggle in the relationship when there is a want to spend a lot time with the other person, but want to spend time alone. RDT addresses this issue and saying that the only way to battle this struggle is to have a balance. An example of this issue is the relationship of Billy and Sally. Billy loves Sally very much and wants to spend time with her, but he also feels like he wants to spend some time by himself and read a book.” All of these affected my message by forcing me to think critically but write simplistically so anyone could read it.
During my writing, I executed the message strategy by making sure I did the research and found out as much as I could to understand the theory. I chose sources from journals and reports, one of which the author was Leslie Baxter who came up with the ground work for this theory. This allowed me to go in depth about the theories and how they were applied to different relationships.
In summation, my message had skillful construction and execution because I set out to persuade the audience that the Relational Dialectics Theory is a good theory. I identified the audience and used that to portray that message, used scholarly yet simplistic, writing and found good resources. I complied those things and produced quality work.
Destiny Mitchell Communication Portfolio 