No Plagiarism!IDko0mIu3dwixqk3S0xJposted on PENANA How to give a critique and have
writers listen.
784Please respect copyright.PENANA9PST5qT6PC
Its bad manners to critique on a writer's work unless you are invited to do so. There are a few writers who just can't handle feedback, and often these are the ones who won't ask for it.
784Please respect copyright.PENANANiqba6UYNd
Chances are, they're just going to defend their work to the bitter end, so your feedback will be little more than a waste of time. So just go in your head: "Arrrg Typos! Fix them dang it!" and move on. Doing anything else makes you look like a jerk.
784Please respect copyright.PENANA016z7VR72Z
If you're giving a critique, you should take the time to really read a piece before you construct your feedback. Read it slowly.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAI9aW0h3M8u
Read every line carefully and make notes, and then jot down your thoughts when you've finished reading. If you have the time read it a second time as this is when things really click or stick out.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAqzJkLZWO5h
There's nothing worse than receiving half-baked feedback I've had this happen and it was awful.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAyHGZmBXMP3
It's plainly obvious when someone hasn't put sincere effort into a critique, and it renders the critique less then helpful as the writer has so many unanswered questions about what you said. Keep in mind they may be so green they won't always know what any writing terms mean.
784Please respect copyright.PENANA7RLDjyMYV8
Focus on asking questions that center on story elements rather than spending time tinkering with the writers sentence structure. When you do this you could become a voice-killer. If you don't know what sentence structure is, stop now. Don't give a critique until you learn it.
For the most part, fix small typos without a second thought, but unless a sentence is really awkward, leave it alone. 8964 copyright protection780PENANAIWomOSrQNX 維尼
Critiquing and copy editing are two different things. Don't lose focus. Writers trust the critic but listen to your instincts. If 5 + cridics love your writing and number six says it's flawed, they might not have enough awareness to realize that the real problem is they dislike your writing style.
Just to be safe, have 2-3 harsh cridics come in and see if they say the same thing.
784Please respect copyright.PENANA0T37i37q2Y
For this to work without bias any critiques that are done before this must be sent as a message. (Or if you are done with any posted critiques delete them. I know they worked hard on them so wait a while before doing so. As long as you used what they pointed out then their critique isn't wasted.) Why? I've learned that some cridics tend to look at the other critiques in the chapter and so you pretty much get a copycat critique. Watch out for this, just be polite and thank them. (This happens on Wattpad all the time.)
784Please respect copyright.PENANAfV2QNxu6P9
Now writers!
Trust me, never argue with a critic even if you sure they are wrong it's bad manners. also, cridics tend to be super defensive the backlash isn't worth it. I seen this happen. 8964 copyright protection780PENANAwN52tE26LR 維尼
Once you see this behavior once it it's easier to spot next time. 😥 Get a different critic and cross your fingers.8964 copyright protection780PENANABAowp4lCsx 維尼
One more thing, I'm not a fan of Google docks because it's like trying to pull a hair off a broze statue to copy anything you write in it, omg.
So here's a simple solution for those with limited options on mobile: 8964 copyright protection780PENANA5mCr8RNgJg 維尼
Make a draft in your story when you're done working on it delete all the text save as a period for next time. 784Please respect copyright.PENANApMUVT21jkJ
8964 copyright protection780PENANAURKIl07nUf 維尼
You could also post your critique as a book chapter. The writer might not want this so ask first. I personally like in book comments or if there are too many comments in a chapter then as a message. Email is also okay.784Please respect copyright.PENANAHzlRBNASOg
784Please respect copyright.PENANA4jM2GBnZhp
When a critic makes comments or suggestions for improvement that show they really didn't understand the story, that can be frustrating to the writer.
There's a difference between not understanding a part of the story and skimming it. Because if you miss something critical then make a stupid comment like: 784Please respect copyright.PENANA6NA4gDjZXY
8964 copyright protection780PENANAOatfdhgeIF 維尼
"I don't understand why she's in such a hurry." (HUM.... lets see now she's bleeding to death and an evil god is over taking her body?) Doy'! 😆784Please respect copyright.PENANAjafu2txLNy
784Please respect copyright.PENANAjNwuLWRRSb
This can end up making you look foolish and that you don't care about their book. Word gets around and too many instances like this and nobody will ask for your "help."
784Please respect copyright.PENANAsArH6CeUW4
It is perfectly fine if you are confused about something. Just let the writer know where and why you were confused.
784Please respect copyright.PENANA0T25TbB190
Whatever you say during the critique, your feedback should be directed at the writing, not the writer. Don't start your comments with the word "you." Refer to the piece, the sentence, the paragraph, the prose, or the narrative. Judging the work, not the individual who produced it. There's a slight but important difference between pointing out errors in the piece versus the person who created it.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAw9Tz7Kxsrn
It's not sugar coating pointing out when a writer has done something correct or well. By telling them it prevents the unfortunate deletion of what was good with the bad. If you want them to improve and absorb what you're trying to teach them this is critical.
Think of it this way would you only tell your child negative things and never the positive? How do you think he would turn out? 784Please respect copyright.PENANA7Q6fHeGcFp
8964 copyright protection780PENANAA3yfsKXCSu 維尼
It's easier for a writer to hear where they have messed up after they hear where they've did it right. 784Please respect copyright.PENANAcAidwiTbRj
A cridics job is not to find fault above all else your job is to teach! So teach damn it! You can't teach other writers if you don't understand and know the difference in all the pov types. Read them, learn these write in them. If you won't then refuse to critique any but the one/s you do know well. 784Please respect copyright.PENANAB4VbLtgMIn
8964 copyright protection780PENANAm9d2GIi7Ba 維尼
Otherwise you have no right giving a critique. It's like this Jane only writes in First person but Lary asks her for a critique, but he writes in third person. These two are very different from the other. 8964 copyright protection780PENANATyZOnWFkVv 維尼
These are the knowen Point of View Types: 8964 copyright protection780PENANA256VNpg4dX 維尼
Omniscient784Please respect copyright.PENANAgohVJvzgAA
8964 copyright protection780PENANAucdoiZJ2X0 維尼
Third Person Omniscient784Please respect copyright.PENANA3ED8oAARKA
8964 copyright protection780PENANAaCvfTiAjhy 維尼
Third Person Multiple784Please respect copyright.PENANAjf1F35om1u
8964 copyright protection780PENANAnPl5EoSs9q 維尼
Third Person Objective 784Please respect copyright.PENANAOsAbOEkWhc
8964 copyright protection780PENANAdtEouaZapU 維尼
Third Person Limited 784Please respect copyright.PENANA6loV2xVl2U
8964 copyright protection780PENANAoAt5u3dqUl 維尼
Third Person (nothing else with) 8964 copyright protection780PENANAUAKMcpJCig 維尼
Close Third (Google: Deep pov)8964 copyright protection780PENANAGlX2XPB7ko 維尼
Second Person 8964 copyright protection780PENANAwO54h0Tx6w 維尼
First Person8964 copyright protection780PENANACWfhyTWZTT 維尼
First Person Peripheral POV 784Please respect copyright.PENANABJQ54pMDjE
8964 copyright protection780PENANAZBu0ZS5ySg 維尼
Google these, learn the ones you like, learn to recognize the diffrence between a pov type and a new writer mistake. I've seen many green writers give a crapy critique to a poor writer that uses Omini and the critics are telling them to show don't tell. Get a clue. 😑 Gah, talk about the blind leading the blind down a open sewer hole ... everyone's gona' stink.8964 copyright protection780PENANAZFUMskQeSK 維尼
Don't be biased on pov narration styles. Just because you hate Omniscient or say third person that doesn't make a work written in this kind bad; it just means it's not your taste. Just because you read someting in an article for example about why Omniscient is awful doesn't make it the word from up high and to be followed blindly! That pov is best done by a master. 784Please respect copyright.PENANAk464TupXV4
784Please respect copyright.PENANAIPKO3nU79o
Now, what if you ended up getting a writer to stop using that pov and they are amazing at it? But you didn't have the know how to spot this? Also, know the rules of every pov style you can to more accurately sift the errors from good prose.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAwacwEGKLHt
Be sure it stays a critique and not a listing of why you think that narration is bad, try to keep this separate in your critiques.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAGCOdUQH7yB
Avoid overly harsh wording, by that I mean anything that can be taken as an insult. Nobody wants to listen to some one who is being a jerk you're better than that.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAjUeXel5irP
Don't repeatedly say things like:
784Please respect copyright.PENANAj8HfhnPbVJ
"This is boring."
784Please respect copyright.PENANAfqLiZQTGIv
"You'd have to ..."
784Please respect copyright.PENANAbdrGJd22HV
"You must ..."
784Please respect copyright.PENANAu8QsXenUrn
"Those are the wrong words."
This one is difficult, be sure to say something like: 8964 copyright protection780PENANA80nmZb1f8C 維尼
"I feel a better word for this is ..." Then they're more likely to listen. 784Please respect copyright.PENANAORCeLY5COc
8964 copyright protection780PENANAZnCvqcACxb 維尼
"This doesn't fit into what my narrow minded perceptions of how a woman should act."
That one was a joke, but sad thing is I've actually gotten a critique that felt like that's what the critic meant in the subtext. I could be wrong, but the way it was worded ... so watch out for this too. 784Please respect copyright.PENANArfr9p4DQWI
8964 copyright protection780PENANApqkugVqMyw 維尼
Do you want the female or male pov to act in the way that is the norm in your society? Or is it because their reactions don't ring true? Think hard on that. Be objective, not biased.
If a woman finds a stranger in her room she's going to grab a knife not want to fuck him; or in my case grab a Winchester. 8964 copyright protection780PENANAZT6TwfNdRA 維尼
A male pov "gasp" doesn't automatically have to fall in love with the girl. The writer might decide he loves his best male friend instead. 8964 copyright protection780PENANAC8ETTlEKQp 維尼
And, guess what? If you can't handle that then shut your yap and leave. You have no place dictating how, what, where the character do, go, act, or have relationships with. The writer decides not you your job as a critic is to point out technical flaws nothing else. 784Please respect copyright.PENANAF2WksZOERr
784Please respect copyright.PENANALdSaKiFMfb
Grammar rules like good prose ebb and flow with the times they aren't static. This stuff is an editors job stray too far in to pointing these out and you're not giving a critique nor do the writer any favors. Fixing that stuff is easy, giving a real indebth crittique is not.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAtK3zJDxgOo
"And," is now acceptable as are other conjunctions at the start of a sentence; I just wouldn't use them often as of yet.
Phrase your comments in a positive way so the writer will hear you out. 8964 copyright protection780PENANAenQ2BUEiLD 維尼
Try instead:
784Please respect copyright.PENANAi3tvreMeOr
This paragraph is vague. A stronger wording could be...
784Please respect copyright.PENANAL9A67MT4GO
This could be more suspenseful if you ...
784Please respect copyright.PENANAuwam6lzAFH
To avoid passive wording take out these ...
784Please respect copyright.PENANAhUfoPTa4sc
Paragraphs are more then a space they ...
784Please respect copyright.PENANAvzwaHpc0bJ
Be respectful and have the compassion to see that it takes moxy for a writer to have the courage to show it to you and others and invite feedback, then it's probably something in which they are emotionally invested. Try to treat them and their work with dignity, honor, and with respect.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAVg0AMwG2cm
Take notes as you go it will make sure you don't miss anything and you can't forget your comments. Your critique will be of a higher quality because of this.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAyi2i7l0vT6
Don't be ultra nice. Trying to spare feelings and giving no real feedback will be of no help. Give praise for the things you liked, the parts that engaged you emotionally, if the story looks good, plot stuff like that.
784Please respect copyright.PENANA5ecPleb7Mr
An essential part of critiques is missing in some cridics critiques. You can't effect change if you don't explain why you are saying something should be done another way. Clarity is needed in writing and in critiques. Don't be lazy and give a half assed critique. Explain why something is wrong and give examples.
784Please respect copyright.PENANA3Np5DEX8Hx
The writer can't read your mind tell them why and how if you want them to learn. If your are for example, unable to explain the difference of show verses tell then you need to go write 👓 study more and critique less.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAoAU56scaGB
Clarity again; point put things in such a way the writer can understand and fix it.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAtyqAMd1wXo
Such as:
"I don't get this sentence why is she/he ..."8964 copyright protection780PENANA1GfpZeHw0L 維尼
"This character's actions weren't realistic compared to urgency because..." (Too little emotion or too much.)
784Please respect copyright.PENANASK5rifmJnm
"In my opinion, this sentence is learning towards purple prose. It was a bit long and convoluted consider simplifying it."
784Please respect copyright.PENANAj7MyC8iOKE
Truly candid feedback is the only way to ensure excellence. When giving notes, be sure to include:
784Please respect copyright.PENANAeGf2Dj3IRH
What is Wrong
784Please respect copyright.PENANAfl0RbRZ2Hr
What is Missing
784Please respect copyright.PENANAym3eXKeFgF
What Isn't Clear
784Please respect copyright.PENANAoncJJs7G4m
What Doesn't Make Sense
784Please respect copyright.PENANA6gKT98lOLc
One more thing, don't ask for backstory in the first chapter, thats not where it should go (A critic asking this screams newbie!) unless the writer wants help with the prolong.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAVx3WNx5EG0
However, be wary of scenes that open to "set the scene" in a bad way. Prologues that explain the world, or a moment from the protagonist's past that explains why she's the way she is, are often just backstory and infodumps readers don't need to know first—and they don't rarely care about at this point. Start with action holds true no matter who is the focus of the opening scene.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAmBoKpUzSDu
The first chapters main job is to hook and get readers to want to go to the next chapter. Most cridics know this but some don't so am putting this in here. Nothing is set in stone mind you. I'm sure someone out there can make this work brilliantly, not me though.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAHWaRiNhbTb
It needs to be said, I greatly appreciate everyone who's ever helped me.
ヽ(*≧ω≦)ノ 784Please respect copyright.PENANA4pQiGQKTwG
8964 copyright protection780PENANAfiTlydAPZl 維尼
Some of what is in here has actually happened. Critics deserve to be treated with respect and courtesy. This is just my desire to help reduce frustrations on both sides. 784Please respect copyright.PENANA74ATkvnhUB
8964 copyright protection780PENANA1VpX0m4qHv 維尼
The flip side on this is while yes, you may have spent hours on that critique, but if it was worded so poorly and dripping with disdain then it shouldn't have been made at all.
A good critic is mature enough to be able to take feedback that doesn't agree with what you wrote. The great cridics are able to spot what most miss. It's a joy to find a critic like this. 784Please respect copyright.PENANALrbCJEHzuj
8964 copyright protection780PENANAnkctdS5kPr 維尼
(☆^ー^☆)
784Please respect copyright.PENANAfvnkVGWnuC
I for one will thank you and show my appreciation but I will not hold my tongue if I know that you are wrong or have over stepped your bounds. I can be your silly goofy best friend or the worst bitch you ever tangled with, it all depends on how you react. Don't judge me, ever. The book judge that, thank you.
784Please respect copyright.PENANA7Vp1XvDUlN
I hope these tips help you dear and much needed critic do what you set out to do; improve writing, grammar and story's because you love them too much to see them in anything less then great.
Any books that became this was in a big part because of your dedication. Feel proud. Or if not then highly pleased. The critic and the writer working together create better storys, one word at a time. 784Please respect copyright.PENANAgHQERkDywb
8964 copyright protection780PENANAzSKLt3R0Qy 維尼
784Please respect copyright.PENANAQbgiwQfL8S
\(^0^)人(^0^)/
784Please respect copyright.PENANAEJArWGG8wX
Later on there will be an issue on how to gracefully take criticism as some writers react with hostility.
18.222.183.63
ns18.222.183.63da2