How we use pair writing

Find out what pair writing is, when to use it and how to do it.

Pair writing means to write content with someone else. This could include a member of your team, a subject matter expert or anyone with an interest in your work.

When to pair write

You can choose pair write if you want to:

• get help with complex or technical information
  
• build on or improve relationships with a service or colleagues
• help services understand user needs
• meet tight deadlines by writing together and check content as you go along
  

How to pair write

1. Plan your session

   If you choose to pair write, you will need to book a meeting, session or workshop. The length of the session depends on how complex the content is.
   

   You may prefer to have several smaller sessions or one may be enough depending on the size of the project and how complex it is.

   Before you begin to write, choose a tool for managing the draft. The tool you choose will depend on how you want to work with your partner. For example, Microsoft Word with tracked changes can allow you to have discussions before changes are made and keep a track of them.

   It is best to share your screen so you can both work on the same thing.

2. Start a session

   When you come to write with your partner, it's always best to clarify what both of your roles will be. For example, if you are working with a subject matter expert, you may want to ask them to make sure the content is factually accurate.

   To structure the session, define user needs at the start as this will help you both work with the same thing in mind. It is also important to think about the main questions users will have on the subject you're writing about and what they're trying to do.

   Now is also a good time to check if any content needs to be included for legal reasons.

3. After the session

   The content produced during a pair writing session will not be the finished product. You may both have actions to complete. To make sure any deadlines can be met after a pair writing session, you could:

   • agree timescales for any actions
   • send drafts of content for feedback (word or pdf with track changes)
   • book further pair writing sessions if needed
4. Publish content

   When you are both happy that user needs and business needs are being met, you can publish the content.