The purpose of this study is to describe and interpret the process by which pupils collectivelybuild a text during discussion of a group task. The study also has two further aims: firstly toexemplify task-oriented, interactionist and genre-specific conversational moves; and secondly todescribe, interpret and compare symmetric and asymmetric co-operative and competitive conversationalmoves, and laughter, in the interaction. At the same time, the way in which the participantsconstruct gender is also discussed.In spring 1997, conversations with pupils were video recorded; the pupils being in the finalyear of compulsory education at school. The pupils were divided up into six groups of fourpupils. The groups were determined according to gender, two all-girl groups, two all-boygroups and two mixed groups. By dividing the groups in this way gender aspects were takeninto account. The conversations of each group were recorded on three separate occasions withouta teacher being present. The task which the pupils were given was to talk about and write apoem together. The conversations were then transcribed, described and interpreted.The results showed the pupils in the different groups used different conversational stylesduring problem-solving. This was partly dependent on whether the group was all girls, all boys,or a mixed group. The pupils' conversational styles and the groups' conversational patternswere categorised and evaluated according to their didactic function.This study belongs to the field of research called "Swedish at School." It deals specificallywith interaction, function and learning in pupils' collective text-building as they solve a problemthrough discussion. Learning in these problem-solving group discussions is promoted bythe four-dimensional conversational style i.e. dominant, asymmetric, task-oriented and grouporiented,being shown by at least one pupil whose style is accepted by the group. The criteriaused in these learning conversations can also become a support for teachers when forminggroups. Group discussions are generally regarded by teachers as providing excellent occasionsfor pupils to learn. However, the study also shows that this type of activity can be pedagogicallycomplicated for the teacher to lead, and it is not always an effective way for pupils to learn. / digitalisering@umu