Writing Group Guidelines

A Group Facilitator is a member of the writing group who takes on a leadership role to help the group stay organized, focused, and productive. They coordinate meetings, guide discussions, support group accountability, and serve as a liaison between the group and the Writing Center.

See the FAQs below for more information about the position.

For any other questions about Graduate Writing Groups, please contact us at writingcenter@CalLutheran.edu 

Each writing group is encouraged to create and agree on their own ground rules at the start of the summer. The list below offers a basic set of suggested guidelines to help support respectful, focused, and productive group meetings. Groups may adopt these, revise them, or add to them based on their shared goals and needs.

Basic Ground Rules

1. Commit to Showing Up
   Attend all scheduled meetings or notify the group in advance if you can’t make it.

2. Understand the Meeting Format
   Meetings will follow one of two formats:

   • Focused silent writing sessions: Write together for productivity.

   • Feedback and conversation sessions: Talk about the writing and provide readers' feedback.

3. Come Prepared
   Bring your writing, read others’ drafts (if applicable), and be ready to be there with the group.

4. Respect Each Other’s Time
   Start and end meetings on time. Stay focused and on task during sessions.

5. Minimize Distractions
   Stay fully present during meetings—silence your phone, avoid multitasking, and limit open windows or tabs that aren’t related to your writing.

6. Give Constructive Feedback
   Focus on being helpful, specific, and kind. Respond to what the writer is trying to do. Create a reverse outline to help the writer see their organization.

7. Be Open to Feedback
   Listen without defensiveness. You decide what changes to make, but be open to peer readers' perspectives.

8. Honor Confidentiality
   Respect the privacy of everyone’s work and discussions. Don’t share drafts or comments outside the group.

9. Support, Don’t Compete
   Celebrate each other’s progress. Everyone’s goals and timelines may be different, and that’s okay.

10. To improve, not to Impress
    This is safe space for you to improve as a writer and a graduate researcher, not to impress your fellow graduate students.

11. Practice Inclusivity and Respect
    Use inclusive language, honor different writing styles, and create space for everyone to contribute.

12. Share Helpful Resources
    If you come across an article, citation tool, writing strategy, or campus service that might help a group member, share it to support collective growth.

13. Keep Communication Open
    Share concerns or suggestions openly—or reach out to the facilitator if needed.

For any questions, please contact us at writingcenter@CalLutheran.edu .