At a loss for words?

At a loss for words? 214 Evans Library | 205 West Campus Library writingcenter.tamu.edu | 979-458-1455

Managing Group Writing Projects

Where Do I Start? • Remember… This is a groupassignment. Get everyone involved. Keep a good attitude and open communication. Start now!

Guidance for Group Meetings • Come prepared. Use agendas to stay on topic. Keep track of time and honor established limits. Take detailed notes. Respect team and class deadlines.

Creating a Successful Collaborative Writing Project • Know your team. • Plan the timeline. • Brainstorm and outline. • Compose a first draft. • Compose a second draft. • Prepare a final version. • Proofread. • Revel in success.

Step 1: Know Your Team Exchange contact information. Become acquainted with everyone. Set up your first meeting.

Your First Meeting • Review the assignment together. Ask questions and set general expectations for success. • Compare schedules and set a regular meeting time and place. • Define and delegate roles. Be honest about strengths, experience, and prior time commitment when deciding on roles.

Your First Meeting • Agree upon rules for future meetings. • Decide how potential conflicts will be resolved. Think about using technology to make progress between meetings. • GoogleDocs • SurveyMonkey • Doodle

Step 2: Plan the Timeline • At your first meeting, create a basic plan for the whole project, including individual and group deadlines. • Establish expectations for the next step: brainstorming and outlining.

Step 3: Brainstorm and Outline • There are many ways to generate ideas, but we will focus on the group brainstorming session. Choose a method and commit to it. • Start by identifying the type of writing, the audience, and the purpose of the document.

Brainstorming Techniques • Share your ideas with the group. Don’t hold back, and don’t be judgmental. • Pick the strongest ideas, and then discuss them further. • Decide on your main points.

Group Outlining • Once you have your main points, develop sub-points for each topic. • Create a group outline to give to each member. • Divide the work into sections based on interests and strengths. • Make sure to divide the work equitably!

Step 4: Compose a First Draft • Members should individually compose their sections based on the group outline. • Once finished, send the sections to an editor who will combine them into one document.

Step 5: Compose a Second Draft • Once the editor puts the document together, meet again to read the whole paper together and revise. • Discuss the edits and revamp the outline. • Group members should improve their sections based on the new outline and re-submit them to the editor.

Step 6: Prepare a Final Version The editor should combine revised sections to create a final polished product. • The editor should develop a consistent voice, formatting and style. • Consider submitting the paper to turnitin.com.

Step 7: Proofread • Everyone must check the final printed copy. • All members should look for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. • Carefully check the paper for proper documentation and citation. • Discuss and agree upon final edits.

Step 8: You’re Done! Once the group has proofed the final version and the editor has made the last changes, you’re done! Reflect on what you have learned about your strengths and weaknesses and how this will affect future group work.

For More Help… Schedule a group appointment with the UWC. We can help you at any stage!

We’ll help you find the write words. U N I V E R S I T Y J X I G Z P O E N H B W D E T LQ ILR D R C K K K PPT R T I V R M X STX J P T B C Z P BYOU C I S K E WV J D A E N S I NN Q O G P E G ICJ C T O B Y PXE G KG V E F G B S R MC E V Q R M Check us out on… 214 Evans Library | 205 West Campus Library writingcenter.tamu.edu | 979-458-1455

At a loss for words?