Write On!

Write On!Creating an Online Dissertation Writing GroupObjectivesLearn about the UCEA Graduate Student Online writing group. Complete pre-writing group exercises in Writing Group GuideBecome leaders for your writing group- either through UCEA or through your own institution. Purpose of a Writing GroupSomewhere in the range of 30-70% (depending on the area) of students who begin their dissertation dont finish. Being part of a group increases motivation, accountability, and decreases isolation. Group members can give you a fresh perspective and valuable feedbackA.B.DOur ExperiencesWhat experiences have you had in writing groups? What was good? What was terrible? What sorts of writing did you do? How did you critique? What was the format? Format3-5 students in each group, grouped by methodological or content interests. Students can be from the same institution, or from different institutions. Students will meet at least once a month in an online forum. Possible ObstaclesWaning commitmentCompetition among membersUnaligned expectationsFor feedbackFor timelinesOthers? Things to think about before the 1st meetingHow often will the group meet and for how long?How will the group meet? Google hangouts, iChat, in- person, etcWill members have roles? Will those be permanent or change? For example:A facilitator keeps the discussion on task. A convener sends reminders, sets locations and calendar, and holds a copy of the Ground Rules. A time keeper monitors agreed upon time allocations. A note taker writes down keep points made during feedback. 7Things to think about before the 1st meetingWhat format will you follow at each meeting?How much time is spent on the dissertation process and how much on writing feedback? Some possible 1 hour meeting schedules:

10 minutes for around the group updates, 2 minutes per person.30 minutes of feedback each for Person A and Person B.10 minutes of silent reflective writing10 minutes to preview next weeks agenda10 minutes for around the group updates, 2 minutes per person.30 minutes of feedback each for Person A and Person B.15 minutes of discussion about a writing process book5 minutes reflection 5 minutes previewing

Things to think about before the 1st meetingWhat kinds of work will the group read? Loose ideas, free writing, outlines, rough drafts, polished drafts, drafts that have been seen by outside readers? Dissertationrelated only? Or grant proposals, interview protocols, survey drafts, posters, conference papers, CVs and job letters?When, how and how much work will members submit for feedback?How many days are needed for thoughtful feedback? How will feedback be given? Ie, track changes, written comments, just orally, etc.How many pages can be given?How will documents by shared? Ie, Drop box, email, etc.

Things to think about before the 1st meetingWhat kind of feedback is reasonable to expect?Feedback on ideas? Methods? Grammar? Flow? How detailed should feed back be? What is the initial commitment?You should expect the group to take a bit of time to become normal. Perhaps commit for 4 weeks and then reconvene to see if members need to leave, rules need to change, etc. Complete the documents: Writing group ground rules agreement, Personal goals, Writing inventory, Group work inventory, and Schedule (included in packet).

Page 5- 7 of guide. Point students to it after you have discussed. Have them pick two areas on the sheet on page 7 and work it out with their table groups (pretending that those are their writing group members). Give them 5 minutes. Discus for 3.

10The First MeetingIntroduce yourselfDiscuss goals, habits, expectations, and prior experiences. Establish ground rules Set a scheduleEnd with reflective writingSo, now have students conduct a first meeting. Give them 10 minutes to jot ideas for page 8,9, 10. Then they will then discuss goals, habits, expectations, etc with their table mates.

11Reflective WritingWrite about your take-aways from that days session. Set goals Things to do the next time you sit down to writeThings to accomplish in a week. Things to do before the next session

Tell them we will do this at the end of our session! 12Activities for Writing GroupChecking in: share what is going on with your work, obstacles, successes, etc. Give feedback:Prepare comments before and let author ask questions, work through issues with the group. Provide feedback during your timeGo through a piece paragraph by paragraph. What are some norms for constructive criticism? How can we be both good givers and takers of feedback? Activities for Writing GroupHelp a member brainstorm solutions to problemsSpend time writingDiscuss a reading- something from a writing book, a well written article, etc.Suggestions are included in your guideHelp each other create a writing planIf you have time, show them your writing plan and give them a few minutes to think through their writing plan. 14Sharing tips and tricksWe are all in different phases of our writing process, and all come with different work flows, outlooks, etc. Share your process with your members- this can be very helpful! EvernoteProspectusWriting ScheduleWhat are some tips and tricks you have discovered?

15Intermediate MeetingsOnce you have set up the ground rules, your meetings should stick to a certain format. Here is one way to do it: Before meetingRead and comment on persons work Read assigned readings if pertinentDuring meeting Touch base (3 minutes per person)30 minutes of feedback for writer10 minutes discussing reading or general problems (what are common problems we are having with writing? What are peoples strategies?) Reflective writing 5 minutes Evaluation MeetingAfter a given amount of time, you may want to evaluate how the writing group is going, re-evaluate ground rules, set new priorities, etc. This meeting might follow this format: Before meetingGo through inventories again. Has anything changed? How can the writing group better meet your current needs? During meetingDiscuss what goals you have reached in the last 10 weeks and what goals you still haveDetermine if any members would like to leave the group- no judgment! Go over ground rules again- does anything need to change? Should we revisit the structure?

UCEAs RoleTell people about writing groups and help pair them up. Provide information about how to facilitate a writing groupProvide a sign up surveySigning Up

Go to the online sign up sheet:

http://tinyurl.com/mwfuq5e

Answer a few questions so we know how to form groups.