We know that group projects are often difficult and stressful. Here are some do’s and don’t’s to help ensure that your collaborative writing experience is a positive one.

Do’s

  • Try to have a positive attitude.
  • Start early. Collaboration requires an extra level of time management that working alone doesn’t.
  • Schedule a time to meet regularly.
  • Decide how to communicate (text, email, chat).
  • Decide who is responsible for each role in the composing process and decide how you will bring those parts together. 
  • Be inclusive.
  • Take turns being in charge.
  • Show up to meetings, and show up on time.
  • Stay focused during meetings.
  • Consult your professor if things are not moving in the right direction.
  • Visit the Writing Center to go over your individual contributions as well as the final project. 

Don’t’s

  • Procrastinate.
  • Be bossy/dominate the group.
  • Blow off your work. Nobody likes a slacker!
  • Play the blame game.
  • Give entirely negative critiques.
  • Divide the work too early (the paper won’t be cohesive).
  • Enable members who don’t work.

Ready to Edit?

Once all the group members have composed their individual parts, it’s time to sew it all together. As you piece the final project together, watch out for:

  • Repetition
  • Lack of consistency and style
  • Choppy transitions

Ready to Edit Some More?

Make an appointment in the Writing Center! We ask that all writers who contributed to the group document be present for the tutorial. If only one group member attends the tutorial, we can only work on the part of the project that the group member composed. If you were assigned the role of proofreader, you need to bring all of your group members with you. 

Keep in mind that we can only cover so much in a 30-minute or 60-minute appointment (we recommend 60 minutes for group work). Prioritize your needs and what your tutor can assist you with in the time you have together. The earlier you see us in the process, the more helpful we can be. Last-minute requests are tough because you don’t have much time to revise based on any suggestions.