Collaborative Writing Strategies

Here are some strategies which students have found helpful in collaborative writing projects.

• Be sure all group members understand the assignment.

• Decide on the major components of the project.

• Agree on the writing objectives. Discuss matters of style, including documentation.

• Divide up the tasks among group members. Each member, however, shares responsibility for the whole product. Be prepared to take over some portion of the work if a group member is unable to do so.

• Set up schedules for updates and revising drafts.

• Double check all information from sources to be sure all source material is cited and cited correctly. 

• Integrate the components of your project so that it reads like a coherent whole. Allow extra time to assemble and integrate the components.

• Give credit to all members of the group who participate, but do not credit individuals who do not.