- Often, it’s most helpful to identify what the author or creator has done well and what might be improved instead of only focusing on one or the other.
- Be specific. Not only is “This sucks” hurtful, but it’s unhelpful because you aren’t identifying what sucks. Is there a grammar issue? Construction or composition? Help the writer/creator understand why you didn’t like the entry!
- Consider that many rules aren’t universally accepted across all styles of communication. All writers and content creators have preferences based on what is likely to connect best with their readers, but these are not the same as rules, especially when taken out of context from the rest of the piece. Please do not count off for something that is merely your preference as a writer or creator. Instead, think of usage in terms of what is most appropriate for the intended audience (is the intended audience of the piece other journalists or the average person).
- Please consider that many of our experiences with our cats are not universal. Some of us would never take our cats camping, but many do (and their cats love it). Some of us swear by brushing our cats’ teeth, but others want nothing to do with a cat toothbrush. In factual pieces that don’t fit your worldview, look for citations or experience to support the entrant’s argument instead of dismissing it outright because it doesn’t match your experience with your cats.
TIPS FOR PROVIDING FEEDBACK
From Jody Wallace’s Quick Suggestion List for Critiquing (slightly modified by Katherine Kern)
One of the most important things to remember is to exercise your own writing skills to phrase your comments helpfully.
DO NOT SAY
Hated it
Ridiculous
Worst thing I’ve ever read
Offensive
Please take an elementary English class.
Don’t quit your day job.
Unpleasant
Poorly written
Vacuous
Painfully slow
Meh
I wanted to like this but…
This has been done before.
You used the word “you.” Taking off 60 points.
Learn to use commas.
This was done wrong because it’s not how I would do it.
Your work will kill cats!
I know you’re laughing now, but a good number of these are verbatim.
RISKY COMMENTS
Don’t give up! (because it implies she has a long struggle ahead)
I didn’t care for this.
I don’t normally read…
I wouldn’t read any more of this.
Any comment that is an order instead of a suggestion: Read this, do this, fix this, etc.
Unoriginal, has no originality
You haven’t, you need to, you have to, you’ve got to, you can’t… (commandments, not suggestions)
I’m sorry, but… (usually followed by a criticism)
Basically, if you say anything you feel the need to apologize for or soften, try a little harder to be helpful.
WAYS TO PHRASE
Some readers might have problems with…
I had concerns about X because…
The first chapter might have more impact if…
Maybe you could try X or X.
Citations might strengthen your argument.
It might heighten the reader’s bond with the protagonist if…
Readers might want to know about X at this point in the plot.
I wonder what would happen if you tried X?
At this point in the plot, I became curious about X.
This confuses me here because…
This didn’t grab me because…
I know it’s not easy coming up with the perfect words. Stretch your writing muscles and exercise your tact joints.