Option #1 – Interview of an Effective Communicator
I. Overview:
Select an individual to interview who has excellent communication skills (not a family member or
friend). This person should be someone who can help you meet the communication needs you
identified in PCAP I. Ideally, this person should be in the field you are in or hope to enter. However, it
can be anyone you believe can help you achieve your communication goals because they themselves are
a skilled communicator.
Your paper should be double-spaced and 3 – 4 pages long, double spaced. You do not need to repeat
the questions in your papers. However, please include the section heading and the number of the
question you are answering. (Note: This interview can be done through Zoom if in-person meetings are
prohibited due to Covid.)
II. Paper
1. Provide a context of the person you interviewed including their job title, their place of employment,
date and time of interview.
2. Put into a persuasive argument why this person is uniquely suited to help you to improve your
communication skills. Make sure to describe your communication needs and goals using the
vocabulary and concepts from the course and text.
3. How does the person view themselves as a communicator? What do they view as their
interpersonal communication strengths and weaknesses?
4. What life stage is your interviewee in? How does this stage interface with your specific life stage in
terms of communication?
5. What do they think are the most important communication skills in their field?
6. How has the individual acquired their communication skills? How do they continually improve their
communication skills?
7. What suggestions did they have for acquiring career-oriented communication skills?
8. Take one of the suggestions of the interviewee about communication and analyze it using one of the
models/theories of communication presented in the class.
9. Return to your PCAP 1 analysis of the Communication Self Assessment. What new information did
you gain from the interview that you can apply to your strengths or ideas for improvement of
concerns?concerns?