Analysis of Collaborative Writing

ANALYSIS OF COLLABORATIVE WRITING

Analysis of Collaborative Writing

Karissa Jackson, Ed Medina, Alvina Guerra, Claudia Garcia

University of Phoenix

COMM105

September 9, 2008

Analysis of Collaborative Writing

Research papers have always been a stable in the halls of academia. They persuade an

individual to learn to look for and find information on any particular subject for which the paper is going to be about. The writer uses this information to put together the essay in a way that it will achieve his or her desired goal, whether the goal is to inform, persuade, or show cause and effect, among other things. Individuals on a regular basis normally do this process; however, it has become increasingly more of a requirement to write a research paper in collaboration with other people in a team effort. This can bring a new set of challenges and rewards for all members in the group. This essay will illustrate the major differences, advantages and disadvantages between individual and team writing; also, the particular challenges faced when writing in teams.

Prewriting activities such as brainstorming and topic selection can be more stimulating and rewarding when done as a team rather than as an individual because of its synergetic qualities. The team’s efforts give greater results than the sum of its individual counterparts. For example, brainstorming for a topic for the paper, its style, and its purpose is less cumbersome because of the different experiences, ideas, and abilities that each member has to offer. They all contribute in a different way. Teams make revisions easier because when one member writes his or her portion of the paper, another may read it and recognize a better way of stating the same idea. In contrast, the individual may see his or her work as the best and final version and sometimes cannot see past that....