Spring 1993

Writing A Group Paper
Karen E. Young, CLAS 1993

Frequently, effort that arises from group work comes out fragmented and contradictory. Concentrated group effort, such as that which arises from the production of a group paper, creates a more unified presentation. The following outline of how to write a group paper is just that--an outline. In the course of many hours of group work, I and my groups in various classes have found that this is the best way to write a group paper. But this method must be flexible; every issue and every group is different. I hope that this outline might serve as a good starting point for groups who wish to produce group papers.

First Meeting:

• The group identifies the main aspects of the issue they wish to address.
  
• The group discusses strategies for approaching each aspect of the issue.
• The group appoints one member as editor of the paper, with responsibilities for transitions, introduction and conclusion.
  
• Each other member of the group then chooses an aspect of the issue to address.

Between the first meeting and the second meeting:

• Each member of the group writes their segment of the paper (first draft).

Second Meeting:

• The group meets to peer-edit each segment of the paper.
  
• The group also discusses strategies for transition and conclusion.

Between the second and the third meeting:

• The editor puts the paper together, with introduction, transitions, and conclusions.

Third Meeting:

• The group edits the paper as a whole, targeting areas for elaboration, areas of overlap, and areas of inconsistency.

Between the third meeting and the fourth meeting:

• The editor implements any changes made on the paper.

Fourth Meeting:

• The group meets to edit paper one last time before presentation.

Note from the TRC: Faculty and TAs in some disciplines are finding that undergraduate students learn a great deal from writing papers cooperatively, as Ms. Young details above. To get more information about cooperative learning, call or come by the TRC (Hotel D).