Dr. Nora Hoffmann, Head of Goethe University’s Writing Center, on Student Writing Groups
Overcoming the loneliness of writing.
A writing group is exactly what the name suggests: a group of people who write together. When we think of writing, we usually picture lone individuals with a pen and paper or a laptop. The very point of a writing group is not to be alone with your text, but to write together. A group can help lower the threshold to start writing, enable discussions about texts, writing strategies or difficulties, offer tips and feedback, provide structure through regular meetings, and provide a space to share progress and mutual support, direction, and motivation to keep going.
Students in particular often experience writing as a solitary activity, since it usually takes place when the semester bustle and social connection on campus have subsided or ended – including term papers during the lecture-free period and theses once all coursework is completed. While advisors remain formally available, peer-level exchange during this phase is often lacking. In his 2004 volume aptly titled “Die Einsamkeit des Schreibers” (The Solitude of the Writer), Gisbert Keseling traced various student writing challenges back to this isolation. It inhibits progress, resulting in a seemingly insurmountable writer’s block, and there is no one to discuss your text with. Especially for large projects like theses, which span several months and often coincide with uncertainty about the future, many students miss this vital exchange.
As obvious as the concept of student writing groups may seem, it’s still relatively new in the German higher education context. While writing groups have existed in the U.S. since the 1960s/70s, they were only introduced to German writing center practice in 2007 by Katrin Girgensohn. Her study was the first to describe autonomous writing groups in the university context, designed to promote peer-led, self-directed support through collaborative learning. Today, the idea has gained a foothold in Germany as a complement to other forms of writing support, such as curricular prep courses or optional writing workshops and consultations. Currently, 44% of writing centers in Germany offer writing groups.
Facilitated, open, and creative writing groups at Goethe University
At the Frankfurt Writing Center, various types of writing groups are offered – ranging from more structured to open formats – most of which are primarily focused on academic writing, although creative writing groups also exist. Each semester, there is a biweekly, in-person writing group for students working on their theses. It is moderated by writing tutors trained in writing pedagogy. The tutors provide input on different writing phases, guide peer feedback methods, and inform students about organizing their own writing groups. Between sessions, participants meet independently in small groups to work on their theses. The offer has been well received, with participants reporting benefits such as: “Peer-level exchange, motivated participants”, “Opportunities for exchange, appreciation of what has already been achieved, encouragement, new perspectives, honesty.” Students particularly value the interdisciplinary collaboration, which helps them view their own topics and writing from new angles. These small groups often form around shared research interests, giving students a taste of what a research community feels like.
An English-language equivalent, the Thesis Writers’ Group, follows a similar structure and is led by a native English speaker, reinforcing the language aspect. It brings together international students from English-language MA and PhD programs as well as domestic students. Participants cite solidarity and community support as main reasons for joining. Frequent discussion topics – besides writing itself – include academic framework conditions, such as pressure during the final phase, finding advisors, or communicating with them. Many describe the group as a “bulwark against the pressure and isolation of writing one’s thesis.”
In contrast, the Open Writing Group is less structured and more flexible. It takes place year-round, including during semester breaks, every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. via Zoom. Run in collaboration with Goethe University’s Academy for Educational Research and Teacher Education, it focuses on collective writing in a shared Zoom space to foster accountability and minimize distractions. Moderators lead focused 50-minute writing sessions and encourage regular breaks. Questions can be asked via chat. Breakout rooms for peer exchange or writing consultations with tutors are available as needed. Students can also connect via the group’s Discord channel outside the set times. An OLAT course provides supplemental writing resources.
Also highly popular is the Creative Writing Group, launched just two semesters ago. It meets biweekly during the semester and is led by a Writing Center tutor. Sessions begin with short inputs on creative writing topics, followed by writing time. Participants share and receive feedback on personal projects. Responses highlight the value of input, discussion, and feedback in an open environment, and show how the group boosts confidence in academic writing too: “Exchange, learning methods, new motivation for writing – even more confidence in writing academic texts.” Students also appreciate networking with like-minded peers, both in these sessions and through the OLAT course’s forum.
In addition to organized groups, the Writing Center provides materials, advice, and support for launching self-directed student writing groups. While a Facebook group exists for networking, many connections happen informally – especially during events like the “Long Night Against Procrastination”, where new writing groups often form spontaneously or via the Writing Group Matchup table. These groups are especially valued for enabling exchange between students from different disciplines and levels, offering diverse writing perspectives.
Lecturers are warmly encouraged to suggest writing groups to their students, share materials (available online), and support them in getting started – if desired, the Writing Center is on hand to support.
Dr. Nora Hoffmann holds a PhD in literary studies and has worked in writing pedagogy since 2012. She has led Goethe University’s Writing Center since 2018.
Writing Groups at the Goethe Writing Center & Support for Independent Groups:
Moderated Thesis Writing Group (biweekly, semester-long)
Thesis Writers’ Group (biweekly, semester-long)
Open Writing Group
Creative Writing Group
Support for self-organized writing groups
