Posted: May 27th, 2015

Theoretical Essay

Theoretical Essay

Order Description

Objective
A theoretical essay is when you argue that an existing theory in conflict coaching or a related area needs to be extended in a particular way, is simply wrong, should be applied to a specific context, or should not be applied to a specific context. The theoretical essay requires that you have thorough knowledge of the theory base and can make an original argument for or against the theory in the ways described.

Project Criteria
Develop a thesis statement and present research that either supports or refutes your assertion. Alternatively, you may develop a “purpose statement” that asserts the purpose for your paper; i.e., you may argue that the CCC model should not be used under X, Y, and Z situations.
Overview the Purpose of the Essay – summarize the basic theoretical argument you are going to make in a purpose statement or a thesis.
Literature Review – Summarize relevant literature on the theory, its development and previous applications. Also review the literature that critiques this theory and its applications. Use a minimum of ten peer-reviewed scholarly resources from Google Scholar, the Sullivan library, or other university libraries. General Google searches, magazine, newsprint, blogs, or unsupported media are not allowed. If the source does not have a list of resources at the end of the article, it may not be used. If you need research help, view these library tutorials or contact the library.
Presentation of Original Theoretical Argument – present your ideas/critiques in a logical flow of a scholarly nature.
Critique Your Own Theoretical Argument – what are the critical weaknesses in the arguments you have just put forward.
Follow APA style format for a manuscript that would be submitted to at least a level two journal.

Process
This paper should be a clear, concise, and well-synthesized paper with meaningful content. The paper includes a title page, an abstract, the body of the paper (introduction of the concept with a purpose/thesis statement, literature review, discussion of findings, summary and recommendations that either supports or refutes the original purpose/thesis statement), and an APA style reference page.

Furthermore, it is expected that the paper contain many paraphrases and citations from other authors as you tie your research into conclusions and recommendations that are based on course concepts. It is not desired to have a paper full of direct quotes from other authors. This paper is meant to be representative of your thoughts and understandings, not other authors, and is graded based on this expectation.

Required Text(s) and Resources:
Jones, S., Brinkert, R. (2008). Conflict coaching: Conflict management strategies and skills for the individual. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. ISBN: 9781412950831

Stober, D., Grant, A. (2006). Evidence based coaching handbook (1st ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 9780471720867

Goldsmith, M., Lyons, L., McArthur, S. (2012). Coaching for leadership: Writings on leadership from the world’s greatest coaches. (3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer, an imprint of John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 9780470947746