Writing Accountability Groups (WAGs)
Writing accountability groups (WAGs) are semi-structured sessions with a core group of participants that are held regularly to help motivate, promote accountability, and develop regular writing habits. Join Writing Accountability Groups (WAGs)
Frequently Asked Questions About WAGs
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Anyone! Students, trainees, post-docs, faculty at all levels.
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A WAG is an active writing group that meets once a week over a 10-week block and follows a strict agenda of 15 minutes of updates and goal-setting followed by 30 minutes of individual writing, and then 15 minutes of reporting and wrap-up (there is no peer review of your writing – the WAG is focused on developing a process and habit of writing). A WAG is limited to 4-8 members and you MUST commit to attending at least 7 of the 10 weekly sessions.
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You meet with your fellow WAG members for one hour a week over a 10-week period. During the weekly WAG session, you will be engaged in some form of a writing activity for 30 minutes and the remaining 30 minutes are spent goal-setting and reporting on progress.
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WAGs meet wherever is convenient for your group.
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WAGs meet whenever is convenient for your group.
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WAGs exist to help people establish good writing habits (and learn time management and organization skills). The focus is on the writing process, not writing outcomes; there is no content review of writing. WAGs are also good opportunities to build professional and personal relationships.
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A group of 4-8 people meet for one-hour a week over a 10-week period (WAGgers must commit to attending at least 7 of the 10 sessions). The first 15 minutes of every WAG is a participant report-out on the prior week’s writing goals and the plan for that day’s writing session; then there is a 30-minute timed communal writing period; the final 15 minutes is spent reviewing what each member accomplished during the writing session and a statement of the writing goals for the next week.
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Join the Writing Accountability Groups (WAGs) on Teams Follow the instructions in the Posts section once your request to join is approved. Need assistance? Contact us at [email protected]
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Yes, we have pre-post assessment data showing that WAGgers report increased writing frequency (writing daily or almost daily vs. monthly or rarely) and reduced writing session duration (participants report writing for shorter periods of time [desired outcome]). WAGgers also report better time management and organization skills.