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Constructive Criticism; A quick and dirty guide
Topic Started: Feb 13 2014, 11:35 AM (139 Views)
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Dreamer
Note that none of this is "mine," I'm stealing all of it from an article that I read a while ago (and I think it was taken down, which is a shame because it was really helpful) and kinda just adapting it to criticism of literature.

The difference between criticism and constructive criticism is small in practice, but it makes a huge difference to the person receiving it. While both can be very useful, blatant criticism can be discouraging and perhaps even insulting, whereas constructive criticism (when done right) can be that final needed push across the line from "good" to "great."

Here are a few points I try to remember to keep my criticism constructive:

1. Beware of being general. Even if you mean well, general criticisms can be discouraging, and very easily mistaken for insults. Phrases such as "the whole thing was pretty boring" or "the last half didn't really flow" aren't really helpful because they're simply labeling the work as "bad". Instead, be as specific as you can about the issue, and how you think it could be resolved. "Your final paragraph had these grammatical errors <insert list here> which I feel really interrupted the flow of the reading. If you changed them to <this>, it would be flawless!"

2. Be encouraging and uplifting. Everyone started at the bottom, and since there is no "top," everyone is at a different skill level. Someone might post a work that flat out sucks in every possible way, but even if you can't applaud the work itself, at least praise them for taking the time to write it! There's nothing more discouraging to a new writer than posting his "baby" on a forum and have a bunch of experienced writers telling him it sucks. That won't help him improve his skills, and it will more than likely discourage him from ever writing again.

3. Be on their side. This is somewhat an extension of the last point. While it's impossible to give criticism without pointing out flaws and failures, make sure they can tell that you're doing it to help them. Praise everything you can! When you do bring out negative aspects, do it respectfully, and point out exactly what you think the issue is and how it can be fixed, and then praise them some more! Support them; encourage them. Any story can be fixed, no matter how bad, little by little, revision by revision until it's a masterpiece.

4. Don't state your opinion as a fact. If it is indeed a fact ("You misspelled that word") then that's alright, but whenever possible make sure to state your opinions as opinions. Failing to do so often comes across as arrogance. Instead of "The atmosphere of the second paragraph is completely off," try saying "If I were to rewrite the second paragraph, I would probably make the general atmosphere more light-hearted, but that's just me." In any art form there are, of course, rules (spelling, grammar, general flow), but there is also an insane amount of freedom. Don't encroach on someone's freedom!

5. Be humble. Even if you are a hundred times better at writing than DrFireball4949, never "look down your nose" at them in your replies. We're all human, and we've all made the same mistakes before. There's nothing that alienates you to someone lesser than you than rubbing it in their face that they are indeed, lesser.
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OnlyBlaziken
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Could we also add that if someone has already given them constructive criticism and you have something to add, it's sometimes better to do it over PM so that their thread doesn't become like a "Hey, let's all help" thread where they feel singled out? Because you can't improve if you feel like a ton of people are breathing down your neck, watching for every mistake you make.
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