The gift of writing groups: Critique, community and confidence

Abstract

A key benefit of participation in doctoral writing groups is that members become more ‘confident’ in their scholarly identities, particularly when members critique each others' work. Such groups are spaces that privilege collaborative practices and peer learning as members provide each other with reciprocal feedback on their writing. This chapter explores the feedback offered in writing groups through the lens of gift exchange to consider how membership in a writing group develops important ties of mutual responsibility, reciprocity and trust, all of which contribute to members’ sense of belonging to the academic community and consequently build confidence in their scholarly work and identities.