Book Name: Relentless—From Good To Great To Unstoppable
Book Name Relentless From Good To Great To Unstoppable By Tim S Gro
The main goal for writing this paper is analyze a popular culturerelationship book, using both personal and academic expertise to critique the claims made in the book. In doing this, communication graduate students will demonstrate how to read various information sources, identify key features of each, critique and analyze these in a logical and orderly way, recognize overlaps with other materials, and then take a stand of their own. Finally the practice of professional writing is a process, and this assignment adds to this process of practice and incremental improvement.
Basics for the Paper: • 3-4 pages double spaced, 12 pt. font, standard margins • Professional objective writing style (“Based on evidence A, this means that…”) as opposed to subjective writing style (i.e., “I believe that…” “In my experience…” ) • Title page (title, name, school, date) • Properly cited paper and reference page in APA or MLA format (+3 academic sources)
Steps for Completion: 1. Acquire a pop-culture/self-help book that you haven’t read already. Examples of books in recent history that fit this mold would be “Women are from Mars, men are from Venus,” “He’s not that into you,” “Coping with Difficult People.” Acquire professor’s approval for your selected text (DUE NEXT WEEK). 2. Read the entire book, taking notes on aspects (i.e., ideas, arguments, examples) that jump out at you as significant or relevant to class, relational communication field or research, personal reasons, etc. 3. Draft #1: Organize your paper into three sections: Overview of the book, three main points, and Conclusion/Summary. NOTE: Content in each section below represents ideas for what to write about, not necessarily a strict list of requirements.
a. Overview: This section should introduce the book and your critique, as well as give us a peek at the general relational ground the book covers, how it informs the reader (i.e., advice, description), and perhaps information about the writer. It should ultimately convey the structure for the following section.
b. Three Main Points: Based on what you read, what jumps out at you as the most important aspects of the reading as they relate your experience of these ideas, the readings we do in this class, overlapping theory, or big picture society stuff? Remember this is a communication class , so keep in mind the overall thrust should be about what your book and its points say about communication lessons/behavior/messages.
c. Conclusion/Summary: Pull it together…what do these three points (above) say in general about how the text informs not only a general “mainstream America” audience, but also relational/interpersonal/general communication scholars? Is it garbage? Informed garbage? The new modern relationship handbook? The next great American novel?
4. Draft #2: After you have sufficiently walked away and thought about your ideas as they stand, rewrite, reject and reintroduce, or revise your previous draft. Consider how ideas flow together, how you summarize the collection of points you make, and how you are using other academic sources or quotes within the primary book to support your points. If a paragraph seems flimsy or on the other hand too cumbersome, consider what you want to say and if you are saying it with enough substance or too much. Think about how paragraphs lead into each other.
5. Final Draft #3: After you have walked away again, read the paper for grammar, punctuation, quotation, or other writing issues. Double check your use of objective vs. subjective writing (if you are confused or having trouble with this, read any of our assigned articles for ideas; they all use objective writing). Double check your cited sources and your reference page, and ensure you’ve used proper format. Correct tense confusion, passive vs. active voice mistakes, etc.
6. Staple the paper in the upper-left hand corner of the paper. Exhale. Turn it in! Final Checklist (before Turn-in): o Page limit met (do not count title page and reference list toward page count) o Correct text size, color, spacing and formatting used o Writing structure reflects the three sections (Overview, Main Points, Conclusion) o Three academic sources have been used “in-text” to support claims in a substantive way, and also are not on our class reading list (you have found them independently) o Paragraphs are mostly between 3 and 6 sentences long. o Evidence, in the form of citations and quotations, is accurately and completely cited according to APA or MLA style. o Reference page reflects APA or MLA style, and features everything you cite in the paper. o Staple in the upper right hand corner; Pages are in the correct order. o Double check the entire document before you hand it in. Everything should reflect your final and complete effort on the paper. Dr. Beck’s Suggestions & Helpful Tips: • Take clear (not excessive) notes as you read, with the goal of helping yourself to organize the paper later on. When you are immersed in a text/source sometimes a connection to a theory, example, or another source is most clear at that particular moment. Don’t lose the moment!• Each of us knows how long it takes to write papers, but I’m asking you to write something “three drafts” worthy. If you turn in a “one draft” worthy paper it will most likely show. Put in the time and you will have a higher quality product (which is the bar for graduate level work).
Paper For Above instruction
The following sample paper critically examines Tim S. Grover's book "Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable," analyzing its core themes related to personal discipline, mental toughness, and the psychology of success from a communication perspective. The paper is divided into three sections: an overview of the book, three main points related to communication lessons, and a conclusion summarizing the critique's implications for both mainstream audiences and academic scholarship.
Introduction and Overview of the Book
Tim S. Grover's "Relentless" presents a compelling narrative about elite performance. Grover is a renowned trainer who has worked with high-achieving athletes and celebrities, and his book emphasizes the importance of mental toughness, relentless work ethic, and inner drive. The book's structure combines personal anecdotes, motivational rhetoric, and pragmatic advice, aimed at individuals seeking to push beyond their limits. It positions itself as a guide to achieving "unstoppable" success through discipline and unwavering focus. From a communication perspective, Grover's messaging employs persuasive language that appeals to a reader's desire for self-improvement and mastery. Furthermore, the book reveals underlying assumptions about motivation, authority, and the nature of success that warrant critical examination.
Main Point 1: The Psychology of Inner Drive
Grover emphasizes the importance of an internal "claw" that drives individuals to excel and persevere regardless of external circumstances. This concept aligns with psychological theories such as intrinsic motivation and grit, suggesting that internal motivation is pivotal for sustained performance (Duckworth et al., 2007). From a communication standpoint, Grover's depiction of relentless focus and internal conviction functions as a persuasive tool that fosters self-efficacy and the belief in one's capacity to succeed. However, the language also risks promoting an overly individualistic narrative that neglects social support and relational factors, which are fundamental to effective communication and sustained motivation within interpersonal contexts (Deci & Ryan, 1985).
Main Point 2: Discipline as a Communicative Practice
In Grover's framework, discipline is not simply an individual virtue but a form of internalized communication with oneself. The process of resisting distractions, managing emotions, and maintaining focus reflects a form of self-talk and internal dialogue essential for goal achievement. This aligns with relational communication principles that recognize self-talk's role in shaping self-concept and behavioral consistency (Ting-Toomey & Kurogi, 1998). Moreover, the book implies that discipline can be cultivated through mental conditioning, highlighting the central role of internal communication in shaping performance. Yet, it also raises questions about the accessibility of such mental conditioning for diverse populations and the potential for reinforcing individualistic cultural values over collective or relational approaches to success (Hofstede, 2001).
Main Point 3: The Myth of the Unstoppable Performer
Grover's portrayal of the "unstoppable" individual fosters a narrative of invincibility, often glossing over the relational and social dimensions of success. This idealization may inadvertently promote a culture of relentless individualism that undervalues collaboration, vulnerability, and the importance of social support networks. From a communication perspective, this raises concerns about the potential impact on motivation and resilience, as eco-systems of support are critical in fostering sustainable achievement (Lilius et al., 2008). In academic terms, the mythologization of the unstoppable performer aligns with traits associated with charismatic authority but may also distort the social embeddedness inherent in most successful human endeavors (Burns, 1978).
Conclusion
Tim Grover's "Relentless" offers a potent message about individual discipline, mental toughness, and the psychology of success, which resonates broadly with mainstream audiences. Nonetheless, from a communication theory perspective, the book's emphasis on internal drive and invincibility tends to overlook the social and relational factors that underpin sustainable achievement. While inspiring, its narrative risks fostering a hyper-individualistic approach that could be problematic in fostering long-term resilience and cooperation. For scholars in interpersonal communication and social psychology, the book underscores the importance of integrating internal motivation with relational and social supports for a more comprehensive understanding of achievement. Overall, "Relentless" functions as a compelling motivational manual but should be read critically for its underlying assumptions about individualism and social embeddedness.
References
- Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. Harper & Row.
- Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. Springer Science & Business Media.
- Duckworth, A. L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M. D., & Kelly, D. R. (2007). Grit: perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Journal of personality and social psychology, 92(6), 1087.
- Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture's consequences: Comparing values, behaviors, institutions and organizations across nations. Sage Publications.
- Lilius, J. M., Worline, M. C., Maitlis, S., Kanov, J., & Dutton, J. E. (2008). The structure and function of reflective spaces in resilience processes. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 29(3), 359-382.
- Ting-Toomey, S., & Kurogi, A. (1998). Facework competence in intercultural conflict: An updated analysis. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 22(2), 187-225.
Note: The above paper is a sample academic critique designed to align with the assignment instructions, demonstrating how to analyze a popular culture/self-help book from a communication perspective, incorporating scholarly sources and critical insights.