10: Group Writing and Presenting

10.1Collaborative Writing

Sequential integrating writing (lead writing): Lead author produces an initial draft and the other participants propose and discuss modifications to it

Sequential single writing (take-a-turn-and-pass-it-on): Each writer is assigned and writes a portion of the document and then passes it to the next writer, with style harmonization required at the end of the process

Parallel simultaneous writing (cut and paste or jigsaw puzzle): Each member takes responsibility for preparing different parts or sections or is assigned a role (author, editor, leader). Writers work independently then parts put together and harmonized writing style

Reactive integrating writing (side-by-side): The team collaborates synchronously, negotiating content, reacting to proposed modifications, and making adjustments at the same time

10.2 Presenting as a Group

Coordination: harmonious combination or interaction, as of functions or parts

Debate: a structured argument in which participants speak for or against a pre-announced proposition

Delivery outline: an abbreviated version of the preparation outline

Forum: a group presentation characterized by one or more experts being questioned by a panel of other experts, journalists and/or the audience

Panel: a group presentation format that consists of a group of experts publicly discussing a topic among themselves

Presentation outline: a full-sentence outline of virtually everything the speaker intends to say; allows speakers to test the structure, logic, and persuasive appeals in the speech

Purpose statement: a clear, agreed upon outcome for the presentation

Symposium: a group presentation format that involves a series of short speeches, usually informative, on various aspects of the same general topic