The primary distinction between shared and interactive writing is who holds the pen. The teacher holds the pen and acts as the scribe in shared writing. The instructor also serves as an idea summarizer, questioner, and prompter for rapid spelling and print selections. Students are expected to keep their writings on topic and within length limits. They work in small groups or individually and are encouraged to edit their work before they submit it. In interactive writing, students take turns holding the pen while others speak freely about what they see on the page. Students can add to, subtract from, or otherwise change what others have written on the board. Each student is responsible for ensuring that his or her contribution is related to the topic and does not go beyond the limit of time. Like shared writing, participants in interactive writing should be allowed to edit their work before they submit it. Interactive writing is used by teachers to get ideas across quickly and effectively. Students are given freedom of expression but also have to stay within the theme of the lesson. They can add to, subtract from, or otherwise change what others have written on the board - this means that conversations can happen right on the page! Shared writing is done in groups of two or three. Everyone has a copy of the text and uses it as inspiration for their own piece, which they write independently from one another.