Communication is one of the most intriguing characteristics of the human species. Unlike other species that are often limited to sounds and gestures, humans can write their thoughts and ideas on paper. These written thoughts and ideas can be shared immediately or at a later point in time. The individualistic nature of writing allows one to be imaginative yet truthful. It also allows one to be reserved yet personal. We often depend on our own personal experiences and knowledge to convey our understanding of the subject matter. However, what happens when we are asked to write collectively or collaboratively? As with any task there are always advantages and disadvantages in how you approach or decide to tackle a specific task. Let's take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages I have encountered.
One advantage of collaborative writing is the sharing of ideas. The old adage "two heads are better than one" holds true to form in the realm of writing. We all have different views on subject matter mainly because our lives have traveled different paths. This difference in life's experiences can produce unparalleled brainstorming. .
Another advantage of collaborative writing is that the task of the writing is lessened. You are not forced to come up with all of the writing material on your own. You can breakdown writing assignments into smaller parts; parts that will be written individually and reconstructed later to form a more massive written piece. The breaking down of writing assignments can be dispersed according to each individual's strengths and/or weaknesses. .
Nevertheless, collaborative writing can have its share of drawbacks and disadvantages. It can produce conflicting information due to misinterpretation or miscommunication. The risk of each individual not being on the same wavelength can often times produce a lack of clarity and direction in the final product.