Collaborative Versus Individual Writing Processes
University of Phoenix

Collaborative Versus Individual Writing Processes
“Collaborative writing is a slippery concept. It is clear that collaborative writing refers to writing in groups but there are as many ways to write in groups as there are possible combinations of individuals.” (What is collaborative writing?, 1991, ¶ 1) To write a team paper effectively many components are essential to think about before starting. For example, how does a team brainstorm, revise, edit, proofread, and deal with conflict together? How does a team combine each member’s different creative thoughts and ideas into one? Doing research about how teams write together before starting the project will help with the process once the team is ready to begin. Even though everyone has creative differences, collaborative writing is more effective than individual writing because each person brings a variety of thoughts to the table and five heads are better than one.
“In an article on the technology and processes of collaborative writing, David Farkas offers four possible definitions useful in approaching collaboration through an analysis of processes. For his purposes, collaboration is:
1. two or more people jointly composing the complete text of a document;
2. two or more people contributing components to a document;
3. one or more person modifying, by editing and/or reviewing, the document of one or more persons; and
4. one person working interactively with one or more person and drafting a document based on the ideas of the person or persons. ([Farkas1991] p. 14)” (What is collaborative writing?, 1991, ¶ 3) Collaborative writing is a group interacting together on a project with the team’s ideas and input merged in an organized manner with an agreed upon final product. For collaborative writing to be successful, each participant needs to communicate and discuss each contribution. This works toward achieving a common goal or point of view for all members. Once a mutual goal is set, the road is mapped for an unimpeded flow of ideas.
The collaborative writing process and the individual writing process are not the same. Collaborative writing is more effective than the individual writing process. When writing individually, the persons own style, opinions and ideas transpire alone. No outside assistance or guidance is available without the danger of possible plagiarism. When writing with a group, the team as a whole contributes to the selected topic making each style, opinion and idea combined and perfected.
Brainstorming and topic selection. When brainstorming for a collaborative writing project a team differs in methods for pre-writing and preparing from an individual’s project. For example, one method is developing an idea web. Another is to make a list or an outline of topic sentences and main ideas. An additional method is to free write. When free writing, brainstorming includes an evaluation of values, concerns, passions, beliefs, or issues in society to assist in choosing a subject. As for a team, each member brings individual brainstorming ideas and topic selection styles to the project. As a group, they discuss, brainstorm and select a topic together based on the information brought to the table.
Revising the written work. “Studies have shown again and again that the best way to learn to write is to re-write.” (Gocsik, 2004, ¶ 5) Revising a written document differs individually compared to revising a document as a team. For example, one individual may review his or her own written content to ensure all ideas, topics and supporting information is accurate and thoroughly explained. When revising as a team, the group can divide the first draft into sections. Each team member can take the selected section of the document and revise it per each individual’s particular standards. The next step would be to switch sections with another team member to review and correct mistakes through new eyes. By doing this, more mistakes can be discovered and corrected as a team, as opposed to an individual revising on his or her own.
Editing and proofreading. Editing and proofreading go hand-in-hand. Multiple strategies are available when done as an individual or as a group. An individual may learn as they write more to improve on commonly made errors. One may review using the tools available, such as the spell and grammar checker. Then wait a day after the material is complete to re-read it silently, then read again aloud to identify areas needing improvement and make adjustments as required. Completing these steps, helps make certain the paper is well organized, the transitions between paragraphs are smooth and all evidence completely supports the main topics and thesis statement. Working in a group is truly beneficial. Each member may identify one or more errors others may have missed. When each review and all input are completed, the strongest writer in the group can combine the different edited and proofread versions and finalize the document.
Resolving conflicts. While working on a collaborative project conflicts may arise. As a team, resolving all conflicts as they present themselves is critical in order to prevent escalation and the occurrence of unnecessary additional issues, which would prevent the final product from coming together. Although group collaboration is ultimately more successful, a conflict can present itself because of many different ideas and creative thoughts being brought to the table. “Once the team understands the conflict, it can then choose an appropriate approach to resolve it. Ralph H. Kilmann and Kenneth W. Thomas, authors of the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument, have identified five general approaches to dealing with conflict: 1) avoidance, 2) accommodation, 3) competition, 4) compromise, and 5) collaboration. Conflict resolution is situational and no one approach provides the best or one right approach for all circumstances (Thomas, 2002). There are, however, general guidelines which can be used to decide which of these approaches will be most effective in certain situations.” (Porter, J.D., 2003, ¶ 7) For Team A compromise and collaboration are the most effective and appropriate techniques to resolve team conflict. When the team communicates individual viewpoints on a conflict, this affords all team members the opportunity to understand each individual’s outlook of the situation. This open communication provides all involved the opportunity to share personal opinions and ideas on what the problem may be, and how to resolve it. Using these techniques demonstrates understanding and respect to everyone involved, so all can feel comfortable discussing what the team agrees on and how to fix the problem at hand.
Identity development. After meeting with each other, and doing research together, a team identity begins to develop. With a common goal in view that all the participants are aiming to reach, a collective personality starts to materialize. As each person contributes to each paragraph, subject, and topic, the personalities characterize through the final product. Taking each team member’s style and ideas, then combining them shows everyone’s different contributions in thought, opinions and approach. Eventually while writing with each person’s suggestions and methods, the paper slowly but surely develops with the collective group style. The identity of the team is displayed by the different strengths of each member. The team begins to take on a personality of its own as all members are working toward the same goal from different directions and different backgrounds.
Challenges. All challenges need to be addressed directly, resulting in a mutual agreement between all team mates before a draft of the paper even begins. As a team, the importance lies in anticipating all possible challenges that could arise during the writing process. Some examples include scheduling conflicts, differences in presentation, organization, ideas, topics or delivery. Once the team finishes listing the challenges, they will need to create a set of rules with all contributions, and produce an outline to ensure the members have voiced every possible issue. Upon reaching a team agreement, everyone must cite all references and acknowledge the sources of new information through the research obtained. Plagiarism is a crime, by state laws and University laws. Plagiarizing is punishable by legal actions and may result in failing the course and expulsion from the school. While writing an individual paper or a group assignment, double-checking and reviewing all written work is essential to confirm all thoughts are individualized and all quoted statements are referenced and exact. This same concept applies when writing with a group but is a little more serious. If someone within the team plagiarizes any information, the individual may be asked to withdraw from participating in the team project. If an honest error has occurred, the team’s responsibility is to teach the individual how to research properly and cite works for future reference. This is an appropriate action because plagiarism is unethical, and within the team environment, it can appear as though the entire team plagiarized. Over all, the responsibility of each student is to ensure no plagiarized work is submitted. All members of the group are at risk of punishment for plagiarism for one person’s criminal action. Different actions can be taken based on the team’s shared decision. Then the team as a whole would decide what actions to take, as a certain amount of trust will be lost.
Determining a good collaborative paper involves multiple steps with everyone’s participation. The group needs to contribute fully and incorporate individual thoughts and opinions toward the project, making each personality shine throughout the assignment. Then combine each person’s views and ideas together to reach the common goal and make it flow smoothly. Each member then views the first completed draft, and adds his or her comments and suggestions for improvement. After each member has provided his or her input, a compilation of the edited drafts will need to be collected and reviewed as a team. Then take all proposals into account, review and discuss them to compose the final product, making sure all viewpoints are considered. The next step is for the team to reach a consensus that the assignment incorporates all the main ideas accurately, and each person approves of the delivery and wording. Once all objectives are completed and the team cannot find any errors or areas for improvement, and the team is satisfied with the final product. Then the manuscript may be submitted. References
(2007). Ford mission statements. Paper presented at the MANAGEMENT 201 , Washington, DC. Abstract retrieved from http://www.gwu.edu/~umpleby/mgt201/
Farkas, D. (1991). What is collaborative writing?. Collaborative Literary Creation and Control: A Socio-Historic, Technological and Legal Analysis, (), . Retrieved . Retrieved from http://mako.cc/projects/collablit/writing/BenjMakoHill-CollabLit_and_Control/whatiscw.html
Gocsik, K. (2004). Revision: cultivating a critical eye. Dartmouth Writing Program. Retrieved from http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/student/ac_paper/revise.shtml
[Hey]. (1949). ;lkjadsfb, (), , wwww.whatiup.com.
Ho, K. (1989). OOOOOOL. In GToijlkfjd ( p. 8). Retrieved from fkdsljsdklfceirmn
Porter, S., J.D. (2003). Managing conflict in learning teams. Retrieved from Apollo Library: http://www.apollolibrary.com/LTT/download/ManagingConflict.pdf
What is collaborative writing?. (1991). Collaborative Literary Creation and Control: A Socio-Historic, Technological and Legal Analysis, . Retrieved from http://mako.cc/projects/collablit/writing/BenjMakoHill-CollabLit_and_Control/whatiscw.html