Collaborative Writing

At some point you will more than likely collborate with others in order to produce a superior end product such as, a report, a resume or a project. With each team member contributing to the planning, designing and writing you can draw on eachother's skills and create something that all will be impressed with.


When to collaborate

1. The project needs special expertise in many subject areas
2. The merging of different ideas and philosophies will benefit the project
3. The project could be very large, time consuming or of great importance and therefore requires a team approach.

Advantages and Disadvantages

• The more minds working on the project the better
• You can get immediate feedback from your collaboration partners
• Partners can help eachother through difficult points in the process and can ease stress and frustration
• Partners will write better when they know that others depend on their contribution to the project.
• Partners become more involved and connected to a project when they work on it in collaboration
• Collaboration can be demanding on your time and energy
• Partners are exposed to criticism from their peers
• Conflicts can arise among partners about workload and participation

The process of collaborative writing can add a whole new dynamic to your writing style and technique. Lasting partnerships can be formed through the effort, and the final result can be a project that you are proud to put your name on.

Oliu, Walter E., Brusaw, Charles T., Alred, Gerald J. (2007). Writing That Works (9th edition). New York: St. Martin's.