There are no tried and true rules on whether or not to accept the advice given when your work is critiqued. It is your decision. But when it comes to giving a critique, you'll find a truckload of advice out there.
I remember the first guidelines I was ever given were harsh. They outlined the process, reiterating time and again the importance of "telling it like it is" and being honest about whether or not you thought the writing was good. The guidelines persuaded one to include harsh criticism so the writer could develop the thick skin all writers need when they get rejections throughout their career.
I say let new writers spread their wings before you shoot them out of the sky!
Among the dozens of Internet articles I looked at online, my favorite, found on ehow.com, outlines four steps one should take when critiquing another’s creative writing. It is neither quick nor easy, but if you follow this outline, I'm positive you’ll find the process of critiquing beneficial to both you and the writer.
How to Critique Creative Writing
by Cassandra Harris
by Cassandra Harris
e-how Member
Critiquing another writer's work can be daunting the first few times, but following these simple guidelines will help you write a thorough, helpful review, and can help you avoid common pitfalls in your own writing.
1. First Read for General Impression
Read the entire piece through once. This initial reading is for a general impression of the work. Don't skim, but avoid laboring over specific elements of the piece. If you see an occasional spelling error or typo, go ahead and mark it. If there are numerous mistakes throughout the piece, just add a general request for a spell check at the top of the story.
2. Write Constructive Comments
After the first reading, write a short paragraph giving your initial impression. Keep your comments constructive. If you found your mind wandering during the story, don't just remark that you were bored. Find sections that held your attention, and suggest the writer keep that pacing throughout the piece, pinpointing the sections that could use some work.
If one character left you cold, credit the characters that you found compelling, and suggest the lacking character be developed more like those. If the humor in the piece fell flat, find the author's strengths (action, dialogue, description, etc.), and suggest leaving the humor out to let those strong points shine through.
3. Second Read for More Detailed Analysis
Now do a second, closer, reading. This read is for continuity, character development, dialogue, descriptive passages and plot points. Make notes in the margin (or in a word processor file, if reading online, noting the page and paragraph in question before each comment) as you go.
Try to note the writer's strengths as well as weaknesses. What were your favorite moments? Which descriptions made you feel most present? Which character(s) did you find most compelling? Did any plot shifts pleasantly surprise you? Did you feel lost at any point?
Does the plot seem plausible? Is the pacing good, or did you feel rushed, or find yourself getting restless waiting for something to happen? Are there any continuity errors, like sudden name changes or location shifts?
4. Review and Rewrite Constructive Comments
Review the paragraph you wrote after your initial reading, adding any specifics that might clarify your first impression. Maybe your first reading left you wanting more action and less dialogue, but after your second read, you realized it was only one section of dialogue that was a problem for you.
Again, keep it constructive. Harsh criticism won't help the writer develop her strengths to make up for her weaknesses, it will just leave her feeling inadequate. Likewise, don't give a review of pure praise, unless you truly found the story flawless. Help the writer craft this story into the best work it can be.
1. First Read for General Impression
Read the entire piece through once. This initial reading is for a general impression of the work. Don't skim, but avoid laboring over specific elements of the piece. If you see an occasional spelling error or typo, go ahead and mark it. If there are numerous mistakes throughout the piece, just add a general request for a spell check at the top of the story.
2. Write Constructive Comments
After the first reading, write a short paragraph giving your initial impression. Keep your comments constructive. If you found your mind wandering during the story, don't just remark that you were bored. Find sections that held your attention, and suggest the writer keep that pacing throughout the piece, pinpointing the sections that could use some work.
If one character left you cold, credit the characters that you found compelling, and suggest the lacking character be developed more like those. If the humor in the piece fell flat, find the author's strengths (action, dialogue, description, etc.), and suggest leaving the humor out to let those strong points shine through.
3. Second Read for More Detailed Analysis
Now do a second, closer, reading. This read is for continuity, character development, dialogue, descriptive passages and plot points. Make notes in the margin (or in a word processor file, if reading online, noting the page and paragraph in question before each comment) as you go.
Try to note the writer's strengths as well as weaknesses. What were your favorite moments? Which descriptions made you feel most present? Which character(s) did you find most compelling? Did any plot shifts pleasantly surprise you? Did you feel lost at any point?
Does the plot seem plausible? Is the pacing good, or did you feel rushed, or find yourself getting restless waiting for something to happen? Are there any continuity errors, like sudden name changes or location shifts?
4. Review and Rewrite Constructive Comments
Review the paragraph you wrote after your initial reading, adding any specifics that might clarify your first impression. Maybe your first reading left you wanting more action and less dialogue, but after your second read, you realized it was only one section of dialogue that was a problem for you.
Again, keep it constructive. Harsh criticism won't help the writer develop her strengths to make up for her weaknesses, it will just leave her feeling inadequate. Likewise, don't give a review of pure praise, unless you truly found the story flawless. Help the writer craft this story into the best work it can be.
2 comments:
Your method of critiquing is explicit and peppered (or sugared) with positive ways to help a writer. The “tell it like it is” is often not correct as it is one person’s opinion. You are spot on. As we say to little children “Good job!”
How very true. Harsh criticism never encourages, only discourages. A good writer should never be afraid to be a generous writer by helping other writers be better writers.
Post a Comment