Writing@CSU

Writing Guides

Working in Groups

Why Work in Groups?

Writing Tasks Suited to Group Work

Papers Requiring "Original" Research

Papers Requiring Library Research

Any Type of Argument

Interpretations

Cultural Analyses

Lab/Field Reports

Any Type of Evaluation

Fact and Fiction: Common Fears about Group Work

My individual ideas will be lost...

I could write it better myself...

My grade will depend on what others do...

Group work will take more time than if I did it myself...

My group members aren't as smart as I am...

We won't be able to agree...

I don't have time to meet out of class...

I would learn more doing it on my own...

I'll end up doing all the work...

What to Expect in Group Work

Wrong Decisions

Unequal Commitments

Choosing Group Members

Time in Common to Meet

Individual Strengths and Weaknesses

Guidelines for Group Work

Initial Decision-Making

Agree on a Meeting Format

Construct Rules for Discussions

Construct a Timeline

Agree on Penalities for Missing Meetings Deadlines

Discuss what Each Member Brings to the Group

Idea-Generating and Research Tasks

Library Research

Evaluating Sources

Deciding on a Focus

Coming to Consensus on the Main Point and Organization

Writing the Paper Together

Determine What the Final Paper Should "Sound" Like

Divide the Writing Tasks

Gather to Write Together

Delegate Various Responsibilities

Using Group Time Profitably

Appoint a Secretary

Be Strict about Deadlines

Dealing With Problems in a Group

Clarify Your Expectations Early

Monitor the Group

Discuss Problems

Addtional Resources

Library Resources

Related Resources View Related Resources
Print-Friendly Page
Authors & Contributors

Writing@CSU Home Page | Writing Guides | Working in Groups

Partial Meetings

Back to I don't have time to meet out of class...

Meet in two different groups, with one person in common. Take good notes so that one person can communicate what you decided/talked about to the next group. This can work until the "final" decision stage of what the focus of the paper will be and the final changes to the draft. For these, you'll need probably to meet at least once (for the decision making) or pass the draft around continuously until everyone is ready to sign off on it.

Copyright © 1993-2009 Colorado State University and/or this site's authors, developers, and contributors. Some material displayed on this site is used with permission.