How to Set Up Effective Writing Groups For working with rough drafts, try setting up groups of four or five students. Groups of three can work too, but can seem skimpy. Groups with roughly even numbers of males and females or same sex groups work well. Sometimes you can just let the students group themselves with good results. For other kinds of workshops, try different sizes.
Pairs can often work quickly and efficiently.
Or combine two groups into an 8-10 person group. Try sorting writers according to levels of writing ability. Make sure strong writers have someone to challenge them. If a student is a weaker writer or seems to be having problems socially, try to team with a sympathetic person. Experiment with having them work with both new and familiar students.