Metaphorically speaking that is. I’ve mentioned here that I’m taking a writing class online and it for sure has expanded my understanding on writing stories. As well, I’ve learned much about how to critique another’s writing. Many of us shy from from, who are we to tell another how to make a story better? We are the reader, that’s who. Posting this as a guide to help me and make it easily accessible for my class but if you would like a guideline I’ve mashed together on critiquing, have at it.
*Note, this is for fiction writing.*
1. Do not be afraid to critique, your opinion matters.
2. Try to both get outside of your self as well as be your self when you read the work.
a. Think on who the target audience is and try to look at the writing from their perspecitve.
b. Now, look at the writing from your perspective.
3. How was the opening? Did it grab you? How did it grab you?
4. How is the characterization? Did they leave an impression? Do you remember the characters? Hate or love them, what caused the feeling?
5. What conflict was there in the story? Did ti grab and force the protagonist? Was there more building conflict?
6. Could you outline the plot? Did you get lost?
7. Was the author able to use the setting to bring you to that place or make you feel a certain way?
8. How did the dialogue feel? Too much or too little? Did the dialogue bring you closer to the characters?
9. Did the author show or tell you?
10. How was the grammar and spelling? Things to work on? Too many adverbs and adjectives? Weak verbs? Cliche’s?
11. Over all style, how was it?
Make notes as you go, trying to answer the points above. Be sure to talk with respect for the writer but tell them if it wasn’t your favorite type of story, it’s being honest. But follow that up with at least a few good points to improve on. Be sure to note areas you liked and that worked well along with what could be worked further.
Always remember the Golden Rule; “Treat others as you wish to be treated yourself”, and you will do fine.
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