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Suzanne
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 Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 2:03 am Post subject: How To Write a Good Critique |
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How To Write a Good Critique
By Claudette
While I realize that many of us already have this skill, with the constant inflow of newbies coming to the site I think it's something that should be reviewed for their sake.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD CRITIQUE?
A critique in its basic form is a combination of several things: compliments, complaints, whys, and how to fix it. Although, this can be debated, and I’m sure someone out there will stick their nose in and say something about it. Out of the four steps, the last one is probably the only one you can occasionally leave off, but only with good reason.
So what do each of the steps look like? I’ll explain them all, and then give a simplified example, because not all of us write really long critiques 
COMPLIMENTS
This part is best to do first, but sometimes you find it hard to pick out the good things. Even if you can only find one thing you liked about the story/poem, mention it. If you can find a lot of good things, even better! But it is always good to try and mention at least one thing you liked about the work, to balance out the bad, that way the writer doesn’t feel like what they wrote was entire crap (unless it was…kidding!).
EXAMPLE:
I really liked the way your characters acted. The voice you used was so good. You started in a unique way.
NOTE: These may seem very short and dull, but that is because they get followed by ‘whys’. The ‘why’ part is what makes the compliment the most helpful. Because you have to remember, the goal of a critique isn’t to boost the writer’s self-esteem (OMG! That was the best story I ever read! Write more soon!!!!) it is to help them know what they do good, and why, sot they can continue to do it later on.
COMPLAINTS
This is the part of the critique that you have to be careful on. Remember, we are not insulting the writer or their writing, we are pointing out where they need improvement. I’ll talk more later about things never to do in critiques.
The complaints tend to be comments on, like I said, areas where the writer can improve. Pretty simple idea to get and I’m not exactly what more I could say on the topic. What didn’t you like? What could have been better? What was flat out wrong? What was really gross?
EXAMPLE:
You could improve on your entrance. Your characters were boring. The dialog seemed fake. The ending was cliché. You could get rid of those info dumps.
WHYS
This is the part you are waiting for, isn’t it? The whys, the best most helpful, part of the whole critique! This is the part of the critique that follows the compliment or complaint, and the word “because” in most cases.
This part of the critique is SO important I can’t even begin to ramble about it. Without the whys, your critique is empty fluff and does the write no good at all. What is the point in telling someone you love them if you can’t tell them why? A lot of newbies begin to write critiques with the first two parts perfect, but then seem to forget the last two. The why gives the writer more insight onto what they should continue to do, and exactly what things they need to fix.
EXAMPLE:
I really liked the way your characters acted because it was so real to life. The voice you used was so good because it got me inside of your characters head. You started in a unique way because I have never seen a story start like this before, and you pulled it off perfectly. You pulled me right in and I couldn’t stop reading.
You could improve on your entrance because I had trouble getting through it with all the background information. Your characters were boring because all they did was sit around and watch tv, I already do enough of that for myself and all your characters. The dialog seemed fake because you repeated yourself so much. The ending was cliché because it was just like Romeo and Juliet. You could get rid of those info dumps because info dumps are annoying to read.
NOTE: all of my examples, both from the compliments and the complaints, were ‘because’ examples. But you don’t always need the word because; just write it how you naturally would. But if you find yourself struggling at first with learning how to critique, use the word because and it should prompt you into getting your thoughts out.
HOW TO FIX IT
This pertains entirely to complaints. Like I said above, this isn’t always needed because sometimes you can’t think of a way to fix it or it is a case where it’s so easy to fix they can think of it themselves. But it is always nice to include this if at all possible, to help jog the writer into making their work the best possible.
It consists, simply, of giving the writer a way to fix what you complained about. Everything is real simple in this article, isn’t it?
EXAMPLE:
You could get rid of those info dumps because info dumps are annoying to read. A good way to fix them is by spreading your information out. When you meet someone for the first time, do you learn everything about them right away? No, so it shouldn’t be like that in a story. [This last part was an explanation. Don’t forget to explain yourself; otherwise you may leave the writer slightly confused by the end. You need to back up your opinions; otherwise the writer may be more likely to not agree with you and your viewpoint.]
THINGS NEVER TO DO WHEN CRITIQUING
This list could be miles long, but I’ll make it short and sweet. Never directly insult the writer, or their work. No matter how “bad” the writing is, everyone starts somewhere and no one is ever perfect. There is no need to make it personal. Along this same line, don’t directly insult other people’s critiques and opinions; this only starts fights. You can disagree, but do so without mentioning the person you disagree with. Don’t make it “I disagree with Claudette” turn it into “I think that you should…” make it your opinion, rather than a disagreement.
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Another tip I have, somewhat unrelated to the aforementioned, is that you should not read the previously given critiques until you have written your own and sent it in. Reading other peoples opinions could make you biased, rather than being completely honest. You should go into a critique with a clean idea of the writing. Afterwards, you can read others critiques. But don't let others opinions change the way you may or may not feel about someone else's writing, even before you have looked at it for yourself. Make your own judgments. |
This is from another article I wrote about critiques, which you can find Here.
Never critique something by saying “This sucks” without saying why. In fact, don’t use harsh words while critiquing at all, be polite and caring. The point of critiquing is to encourage the writer to improve. (I don’t know how many times I’ve said something like this now…)
There could always be more added to this, but I can’t think of anymore for now. I’m sure others will chime in.
TO END
To end this article, I would like to say that not all critiques have to be like this. In fact, it is debated what a critique should and shouldn’t be. These are only guidelines taken from my own knowledge of critiquing, and from these guidelines you can improve and form your own way of critiquing. No two people critique the same. So, in short, please don’t yell at me saying, “But not all critiques are a like! But there is no REAL way to critique! It’s just how ever you want!” Sure, you could say that, but in the end there is definitely a form and a shape to how one critiques, there is with everything. This just happens to be my idea of what a critique should be like, or at the least resemble. |
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| Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 9:58 am Post subject: |
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| I think I do some of those things, I'll have to check, but thank you for posting, Clau. |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 3:35 am Post subject: |
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And another word of caution- don't just do grammar check. A koala could grammar check it for you. Do something- even if it's hard or it takes more time- that has to do with plot or characters, in addition, that a koala couldn't do.
Good article, Claude! Lots of yummy things to remember- the compliments being the hardest part to, sometimes.  |
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Suzanne
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 3:39 am Post subject: |
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| A koala could grammar check it for you. Do something- even if it's hard or it takes more time- that has to do with plot or characters, in addition, that a koala couldn't do. |
That is exactly why I mentioned line-by-line (as I call it) grammar checking in the article what so ever. Though it is helpful for the writer, that's an editors job, and doesn't really constitute as a critique, if you think about it.
I'm really hoping this article is "getting out there" so to speak, and helping people. I'm not quite sure if it is or not. |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 3:49 am Post subject: |
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... that thing about not reading other people's critiques before reading the story and posting your own? So important. I just wanted to state that for the record.
I dunno if this is advice for the person giving or recieving the critique, but I usually like to state something to the effect of "Remember, these are just my opinions, you don't have to go by my examples..." just in case, and especially when I do that whole line-by-line editor thing. (Do tell me if that's annoying. I really like giving line-by-line editing with my critique when I have time.) |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 4:52 am Post subject: |
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| Good article. |
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| Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks for posting this. It has really helped me write critiques that are not long winded but explain what i want it to do! |
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| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:30 am Post subject: |
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Excellent. You want to be honest and candid, even if it means telling them something they don't want to hear, but you have to, HAVE to make them want to keep writing.
It's all about balance.
Great article, Clau. |
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| Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 10:25 am Post subject: |
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You should have submitted it to Squill Great article, especially for people like me who are scared to critque incase they offend the person  |
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| Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 12:06 pm Post subject: |
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It's a good article Claudette and I agree completely with most of your points but I think pointing out grammar and spelling are a good idea. I know that anyone can run the grammar check and that should be encouraged but most people have appreciated it when I've pointed out their typos etc.
Anyway, that said, I think that this is very helpful to the experienced critiquers as well as those just starting out. |
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Suzanne
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| Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 2:42 pm Post subject: |
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| I think pointing out grammar and spelling are a good idea. |
I completely agree, Kitty. But I tend to call that "line-by-line" editing, because you are usually copying the line with the mistake, and changing it. I left out the mention of that in this article, because not everyone does it, and when used on fiction pieces it takes a long time.
This is also for those who aren't good at grammar yet, you can still critique. It focuses more on the actual story, rather than the written content, since everyone can critique that no matter what skill level of English or writing they have. |
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