Disgruntled Peony
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- Posted: Thu, 14 Dec 2006 18:48:56 +0000
If there's one thing there's plenty of in the Writers' Forum, it's criticism. Some of it is constructive, some of it not so much... and sometimes, it turns into an all-out flamewar. There are many different opinions on what construes constructive criticism, but I thought I'd put in my two cents. So, without further ado, I give you:
For the critics:
Remain objective. Before you start your critique, keep this in mind: nothing puts a critique more in danger of being misinterpreted or brushed off as a flame than excessive use of the personal "you". Remember, the point is to critique the story, not the person who wrote it. It's far easier for a writer to accept and analyze a critique if it's written in a non-accusatory manner.
If you liked something about the story, point it out. It's polite to let a writer know if there was something enjoyable about their work. It tells them that the critic took the time to read it and isn't just out to point out the flaws in their story and make them look bad.
Point out problems and shortcomings in a polite manner. Everyone knows about this part of a critique, right? Wrong. Some people only pay attention to the first half. Remember the first point, 'Remain objective'? It especially applies here. Writers are often very tender about their work and have a tendency to take criticism personally if it's given in a harsh fashion. Pointing out the flaws in a story is fine. Being mean about it will only bring about pain, anger, and flame-wars.
Give suggestions for improvement. Pointing out what's wrong with a story is easy, but going the extra mile and providing suggestions that will help improve a writer's work in the long run is worth the extra effort. It's one of the major differences between a good critic and a great critic.
For the writers:
Read it, take a break, then read it again. One of the most important steps to dealing with a bad or mixed review is to step away from the computer and re-read it after the initial emotional impact has worn off. When writers react solely on emotion, they can miss valid or important pointers in the critique that could help them improve their writing skills.
Make sure the criticism is really constructive. If the review is a well-thought-out response to the story that provides suggestions on how to improve it, chances are good that it's a decent piece of criticism (or at least has a couple of good points). If it's a rude, pointless rant that basically says the story is terrible without pointing out specific flaws or giving advice on how to fix said flaws, chances are good that it isn't.
Pay attention to how often problems are brought up. If one or two people comment on a specific problem, it's worth taking a look at, but not necessarily urgent. If, on the other hand, half a dozen people point out the same problem, it's probably a big and/or easily noticeable one.
Remember, not every recommendation has to be followed. In the end, it's not up to the reviewers to decide which pieces of advice are good and useful--it's up to the writer. What works for one story won't necessarily work for another. So, while it's important to pay careful attention to criticism and suggestions, it's equally important to take everything with a grain of salt.
Questions, comments and recommendations are welcomed. Also, if anyone has anything they'd like to add to my tips on giving and/or taking constructive criticism, feel free to post them. If I think they're good, and that they aren't simply rehashes of what I've already said, I'll give them an old-fashioned quoting.
Peony's Pointers on Constructive Criticism
For the critics:
Remain objective. Before you start your critique, keep this in mind: nothing puts a critique more in danger of being misinterpreted or brushed off as a flame than excessive use of the personal "you". Remember, the point is to critique the story, not the person who wrote it. It's far easier for a writer to accept and analyze a critique if it's written in a non-accusatory manner.
If you liked something about the story, point it out. It's polite to let a writer know if there was something enjoyable about their work. It tells them that the critic took the time to read it and isn't just out to point out the flaws in their story and make them look bad.
Point out problems and shortcomings in a polite manner. Everyone knows about this part of a critique, right? Wrong. Some people only pay attention to the first half. Remember the first point, 'Remain objective'? It especially applies here. Writers are often very tender about their work and have a tendency to take criticism personally if it's given in a harsh fashion. Pointing out the flaws in a story is fine. Being mean about it will only bring about pain, anger, and flame-wars.
Give suggestions for improvement. Pointing out what's wrong with a story is easy, but going the extra mile and providing suggestions that will help improve a writer's work in the long run is worth the extra effort. It's one of the major differences between a good critic and a great critic.
For the writers:
Read it, take a break, then read it again. One of the most important steps to dealing with a bad or mixed review is to step away from the computer and re-read it after the initial emotional impact has worn off. When writers react solely on emotion, they can miss valid or important pointers in the critique that could help them improve their writing skills.
Make sure the criticism is really constructive. If the review is a well-thought-out response to the story that provides suggestions on how to improve it, chances are good that it's a decent piece of criticism (or at least has a couple of good points). If it's a rude, pointless rant that basically says the story is terrible without pointing out specific flaws or giving advice on how to fix said flaws, chances are good that it isn't.
Pay attention to how often problems are brought up. If one or two people comment on a specific problem, it's worth taking a look at, but not necessarily urgent. If, on the other hand, half a dozen people point out the same problem, it's probably a big and/or easily noticeable one.
Remember, not every recommendation has to be followed. In the end, it's not up to the reviewers to decide which pieces of advice are good and useful--it's up to the writer. What works for one story won't necessarily work for another. So, while it's important to pay careful attention to criticism and suggestions, it's equally important to take everything with a grain of salt.
Questions, comments and recommendations are welcomed. Also, if anyone has anything they'd like to add to my tips on giving and/or taking constructive criticism, feel free to post them. If I think they're good, and that they aren't simply rehashes of what I've already said, I'll give them an old-fashioned quoting.
