Topic: Collaborative Writing

10-second review: Analyzes the roles and assumptions of three people who are constructing a letter to a state official. What happened?

Title: “The Oral Language Process in Writing a Real-Life Writing Session.” RW Shuy and DG Robinson. Research in the Teaching of English (February 1990), 88 – 100. A publication of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

Summary:

1. The three failed to define explicit goals before writing.

2. Had preconceived stereotypes about the type of language that is appropriate for this type of letter to a state official: “…without any further delay,” “…to our mutual satisfaction,” “…help expedite this matter,” “Thanking you, I remain….”

3. The roles of each participant shifted during the writing of the letter and one person basically took over the leadership, the person in authority, in writing the finished product.

Comment: Thus, the final letter was neither direct nor clear in purpose, the language was stilted and, in the end, the collaboration broke down. RayS.