6g Collaborate.

The texts you write are shaped in part by conversations with others. You might also consider using online tools that facilitate collaborative writing, such as Google Docs or wikis, to gather ideas and generate drafts. Writers often work together to come up with ideas, to respond to one another’s drafts, or even to coauthor something. Here are some strategies for working with others:

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  1. Establish a regular meeting time and exchange contact information.
  2. Establish ground rules for the group. Be sure every member has an equal opportunity—and responsibility—to contribute.
  3. With final deadlines in mind, set an agenda for each group meeting.
  4. Listen carefully to what each person says. If disagreements arise, try paraphrasing to see if everyone is hearing the same thing.
  5. Use group meetings to work together on particularly difficult problems. If an assignment is complex, have each member explain one section to all the others. If the group has trouble understanding part of the task, check with whoever made the assignment.
  6. Expect disagreement, and remember that the goal is not for everyone just to “go along.” The challenge is to get a really spirited debate going and to argue through all possibilities.
  7. If you are preparing a group-written document, divide up the drafting duties. Set reasonable deadlines for each stage of work. Schedule at least two meetings to iron out the final draft by reading it aloud and working for consistency of tone. Have everyone proofread the final draft, with one person making the corrections.
  8. If the group will be making a presentation, be sure you know exactly how much time you will have. Decide how each member will contribute to the presentation. Leave time for at least two practice sessions.
  9. Make a point of assessing the group’s effectiveness. What has the group accomplished? What has it done best? What has it been least successful at? What has each member contributed? How could the group function more effectively?